{
  "id": 88806,
  "title": "How to stop your phone from overheating in the car",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/how-to-stop-your-phone-from-overheating-in-the-car",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-03T14:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Engadget",
    "slug": "engadget",
    "url": "https://www.engadget.com/2226185/how-to-stop-phone-overheating-in-car/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When a phone reaches an excessively high temperature, it faces serious risks, including potential damage to internal components and battery swelling. Cars, made of metal and exposed to heat while on the road, can quickly become too hot for a smartphone. This overheating can result from direct sunlight exposure, particularly when the phone is mounted on a dashboard. To mitigate this risk, there are two main strategies: external cooling and reducing internal heat generation. External methods include positioning the phone in front of an air vent, using the car's A/C system, and removing the protective case to enhance heat dissipation. However, rapid cooling may lead to internal condensation, causing damage, so moderation is key. Internally, the phone's passive cooling systems like vapor chambers help, but they may not suffice. To reduce heat production, avoid charging the phone in the car, especially when using wireless charging, as it generates more heat than wired connections. Additionally, minimize CPU-intensive tasks like video editing or gaming, and adjust screen brightness to the lowest acceptable level. If overheating occurs, the immediate action is to turn off the phone and move it away from direct sunlight.",
  "summary": "There are several steps you can take to prevent your phone from getting dangerously hot.",
  "key_points": [
    "Phones can overheat in cars due to high temperatures and direct sunlight.",
    "External cooling methods include using air vents, car A/C, and removing cases.",
    "Reduce heat generation by avoiding wireless charging and minimizing CPU-intensive tasks."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Taking steps to manage phone temperature in cars can prevent damage to internal components and battery swelling by reducing heat generation and using external cooling methods effectively.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}