With rising temperatures in summer, smartphones overheating has become a common problem, and this has led some users on social networks to recommend putting a hot phone inside the refrigerator. However, this method not only fails to help the phone cool safely, but can also cause serious damage to hardware and the battery.
According to ITNA citing TechAdvisor, placing a hot phone in the refrigerator causes a severe and sudden temperature change. The warm air inside the device is rapidly cooled by the extreme cold and moisture may form as vapor and then water droplets inside the phone. This condensation can damage sensitive electronic components. Even phones that have water and dust resistance certifications like IP68 are not necessarily completely safe under such conditions.
Another problem relates to the lithium-ion batteries used in almost all phones today. These batteries are not designed to withstand extreme temperature changes. Rapid temperature shifts can reduce battery lifespan, damage cells and, in more severe cases, cause the battery to swell or even catch fire. Therefore, rapidly cooling a phone with a refrigerator or similar methods can result in hefty repair costs.
If your phone has become excessively hot, instead of using extreme methods, it is better to allow the device to cool gradually under normal conditions. First unplug the charger or power bank and keep the phone out of direct sunlight. Closing active apps and background processes, enabling airplane mode and removing the protective case can also help reduce heat generation and accumulation.
If the phone's temperature remains high, enabling power saving mode or turning the device off completely are more appropriate options. The most important point is that to cool a hot phone, never put it in the refrigerator or freezer; because attempting rapid cooling can put the phone and its battery at serious risk.