iPhone 12 Pro Max "iPhone Needs To Cool Down"

[PhillyGuy72]

As I was driving, running Maps I suddenly got this message on my 12 Pro Max. I know this is not new to the iPhones, for me it is.

Phone is sitting in my cup holder, not even exposed to sun. (Maybe the hot black plastic of the cup holder triggered it?) Apple Case with MagSafe Magnets got too warm?? I'm guessing over here, beats me

Ok..it is the first 85-87+ degree day here in Philly area, but I never had this on any of my previous iPhones driving in hot temps, mid summer pushing 95-100º

 

[benthewraith]

Weird, that's not the standard temperature cool down screen that I've seen from iOS. Usually it's the one with the thermometer, and the screen is black with the message iPhone needs to cool down before it can be used again. I don't doubt it's real, however, it looks like an alert. Like it's about to get to that state but hasn't yet.

 

[goobot]

Sounds like a lot of things at play, running cellular data (was the screen on?, was it low signal?) hot outside in a black container, charging (wireless charging at that).

 

[JPack]

Rogue app?

 

[PhillyGuy72]

Sounds like a lot of things at play, running cellular data (was the screen on?, was it low signal?) hot outside in a black container, charging (wireless charging at that).

Maps running, it was the warmest day of the year so far here (89º). Phone was sitting in my cup holder. After driving about 6 miles with the AC on, this notification showed up. I got rid of it, it showed up again 2, 3 min. later. No 3rd notification.

Not too concerned right now, I just never had this happen on my previous iPhones, even with hotter temps, in and outside my car.

 

[eyoungren]

Not too concerned right now, I just never had this happen on my previous iPhones, even with hotter temps, in and outside my car.

I can attest that 'iPhone Needs To Cool Down' tends to occur in ambient temps above 100º. I live in Phoenix and pre-pandemic regularly made a 25 minute trip from work (Tempe) to home (Phoenix) during the hottest part of the day when traffic turned the trip into an hour and 10 minutes. This was regularly done in an old car with broken A/C and windows that don't roll down. So, on days when the temps are around 110º plus this screen shows up.

Oddly enough it got to a certain point where my then new Android would actually shut off but the iPhone stayed on.

I wonder if maybe your phone has a faulty thermal sensor?

 

[Tsepz]

As I was driving, running Maps I suddenly got this message on my 12 Pro Max. I know this is not new to the iPhones, for me it is.

Phone is sitting in my cup holder, not even exposed to sun. (Maybe the hot black plastic of the cup holder triggered it?) Apple Case with MagSafe Magnets got too warm?? I'm guessing over here, beats me

Ok..it is the first 85-87+ degree day here in Philly area, but I never had this on any of my previous iPhones driving in hot temps, mid summer pushing 95-100º

View attachment 1777242

It may be best to move to Google Maps and use the download map feature so that the phone relies less on downloading the map via LTE as you are driving, that can cause the SoC to work harder combined with the heat.

 

[PhillyGuy72]

It may be best to move to Google Maps and use the download map feature so that the phone relies less on downloading the map via LTE as you are driving, that can cause the SoC to work harder combined with the heat.

I'll try that, see what happens. Especially today, this weekend as it will remain pretty darn hot around here.

I always use Apple Maps, just because it "pings" my Apple Watch for an upcoming turn, etc. So I don't have to look down at the phone.

I wonder if maybe your phone has a faulty thermal sensor?

Oh great, I hope not...just one more thing to think about. I love the phone itself, but I mentioned in other posts my battery has been goofy since late Feb, drain and a BIG decline in "health" - (Genius Bar claimed it was ok [eyeroll] ). now this...maybe?

I'll keep my eye on it. Other than yesterday, this phone has never heated up, felt hot at all.
Again...we'll see. Thanks!

 

[victry1]

I had that same problem with my 12 ProMax in the middle of winter! I had placed the phone. (For only a few moments) on the dash of my car with the heater on while I grabbed my purse, etc. I got that same message. Definitely surprised at that.

afterwards, I developed some sort of problem with my phone (don’t remember), which was fixed by a hard reboot.

 

[NoBoMac]

As a test, take off the case when using Maps and see if it helps?

Maybe tied to battery issue. Can always try the nuclear option of setting up the phone as new (no backup restore) see if things settle down, something was "corrupted" when set up from a backup.

 

[PhillyGuy72]

As a test, take off the case when using Maps and see if it helps?

Maybe tied to battery issue. Can always try the nuclear option of setting up the phone as new (no backup restore) see if things settle down, something was "corrupted" when set up from a backup.

Thanks. Caseless, I can try. (Using Apple MagSafe case, MAYBE the connection of magnets got too warm? - Again, guesses over here)

I've nuked the phone 2 times since Feb. Completely started over from scratch - no restoring from backups. I've read a few stories about how that backup can mess up the phone.

 

[5105973]

Thanks. Caseless, I can try. (Using Apple MagSafe case, MAYBE the connection of magnets got too warm? - Again, guesses over here)

I've nuked the phone 2 times since Feb. Completely started over from scratch - no restoring from backups. I've read a few stories about how that backup can mess up the phone.

Ever since I had an 11 Pro, and now have a 12 Pro Max and two 12 minis (I’m nuts, don’t judge ) all of them just suddenly get really freaking hot for no apparent reason even in a very cool or cold room especially if a sunbeam hits them for even a minute. I have some skylights in my house and I can’t use my phones in those rooms. And a couple of weeks ago I had to sit in my car in the parking lot for awhile so the nurse could make sure I wasn’t going to have an allergic reaction to the COVID vaccine. It was an outdoor setup. And I was trying to surf the web on my new 12 mini. It was cool jacket weather but a sunbeam hit my phone and it got super scary hot. I didn’t get a warning because I immediately took off the MagSafe Apple Silicone case to let it cool in the shade.

Is a sunbeam able to hit your phone in the cup holder as you’re driving your route?

The phones sometimes spontaneously overheat even without a sunbeam. I have been assuming it’s a software problem and I always end up rebooting. My 7 Plus was like this, too. It was never the same after the first iOS update I got on it. My 8 Plus and my XR never had this problem.

 

[Tsepz]

I'll try that, see what happens. Especially today, this weekend as it will remain pretty darn hot around here.

I always use Apple Maps, just because it "pings" my Apple Watch for an upcoming turn, etc. So I don't have to look down at the phone.


Oh great, I hope not...just one more thing to think about. I love the phone itself, but I mentioned in other posts my battery has been goofy since late Feb, drain and a BIG decline in "health" - (Genius Bar claimed it was ok [eyeroll] ). now this...maybe?

I'll keep my eye on it. Other than yesterday, this phone has never heated up, felt hot at all.
Again...we'll see. Thanks!

Great, give it a go and see how it is, you can also install Google Maps on your watch, I have it installed on mine (Apple Maps is not great here in South Africa).
My phone never really heats up while navigating as I have saved most of my city as an Offline Map on Google Maps, once a month they update the maps.

 

[Ram65]

As I was driving, running Maps I suddenly got this message on my 12 Pro Max. I know this is not new to the iPhones, for me it is.

Phone is sitting in my cup holder, not even exposed to sun. (Maybe the hot black plastic of the cup holder triggered it?) Apple Case with MagSafe Magnets got too warm?? I'm guessing over here, beats me

Ok..it is the first 85-87+ degree day here in Philly area, but I never had this on any of my previous iPhones driving in hot temps, mid summer pushing 95-100º

View attachment 1777242

should of had the AC on in your car