iPhone 15 Overheating: Why It’s Happening and How to Fix It Without a Restore (Detailed Guide)

iPhone 15 Overheating: Why It’s Happening and How to Fix It Without a Restore (Detailed Guide);  The iPhone 15 lineup, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, has been praised for its performance, advanced camera system, and sleek design.
However, many users have reported overheating issues with these devices. Overheating not only affects usability but also reduces battery life and may even cause performance throttling.
iPhone 15 Overheating: Why It’s Happening and How to Fix It Without a Restore (Detailed Guide);  The iPhone 15 lineup, including the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, has been praised for its performance, advanced camera system, and sleek design.

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2. Symptoms of Overheating on iPhone 15

iPhone 15 Overheating: Why It’s Happening and How to Fix It Without a Restore (Detailed Guide);  Recognizing overheating is crucial for prompt action.

Symptoms include:

• Unusual heat around the back and sides of the phone

• Screen dimming automatically (thermal throttling)

• Sluggish performance during basic tasks

• Battery draining faster than usual

• Charging slows down or stops temporarily

• Warning messages like “Temperature: iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it”
  

  3. How to Fix iPhone 15 Overheating Without Restoring (Step-by-Step Solutions)

  Here are proven ways to resolve iPhone 15 overheating without resorting to a full restore:

  Solution 1: Close Unnecessary Apps

  • Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause to view open apps.

  • Swipe up on apps you aren’t using, especially games, video editors, or navigation apps.

  Why it works: This reduces CPU load and frees up RAM, minimizing background processing.

  Solution 2: Check Battery Usage and Kill Rogue Apps

  Go to:
  Settings → Battery → Battery Usage by App

  • Identify apps consuming high power.

  • Delete or update problematic apps.

  • If a specific app is using excessive background activity, disable background app refresh for it:

  Settings → General → Background App Refresh → Off for specific apps

  Solution 3: Reduce iCloud Activity

  • iCloud syncing (especially photos and backups) can overwork the processor.

  • Visit:
    Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → Photos

  • Disable iCloud Photos temporarily if syncing is stuck or excessive.

  Also, stop iCloud backup temporarily:
  Settings → Apple ID → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Turn Off

  Solution 4: Disable Location Services for Unused Apps

  Go to:
  Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services

  • Review apps and set them to “While Using” or “Never” where appropriate.

  • Turn off System Services options that aren’t needed (e.g., Location-Based Ads, Routing & Traffic).

    Solution 5: Turn Off 5G or Use Low Data Mode

    Switch from 5G to LTE:
    Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Voice & Data → LTE

    Enable Low Data Mode to reduce network activity:
    Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Low Data Mode → ON

    Solution 6: Disable Unnecessary Widgets and Live Activities

    • Long-press on widgets and select Remove Widget for unused ones.

    • Turn off Live Activities:
      Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Allow Access When Locked → Disable Live Activities

      Solution 7: Update to the Latest iOS Version

      Apple releases regular iOS updates that fix overheating issues.

      • Go to:
        Settings → General → Software Update

      • Install the latest version.

      Tip: Sometimes, overheating is caused by an old iOS version or buggy beta software.

      Solution 8: Turn On Low Power Mode

      This reduces overall system performance to save battery and reduce heat:
      Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode → ON

      Low Power Mode:

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      • Slows down CPU and GPU performance.

      • Stops background tasks and visual effects.

      • Reduces screen brightness automatically

        Solution 9: Disable Background App Refresh Completely

        Go to:
        Settings → General → Background App Refresh → Off

        This prevents apps from refreshing data in the background and reduces overheating

        Solution 10: Adjust Display Settings

        The display is one of the biggest power consumers on iPhones.

        • Lower Brightness:
          Settings → Display & Brightness → Adjust Brightness

        • Turn Off Always-On Display (For iPhone 15 Pro Models):
          Settings → Display & Brightness → Always On Display → Off

        • Disable ProMotion (Limit to 60Hz for iPhone 15 Pro Models):
          Go to:
          Settings → Accessibility → Motion → Limit Frame Rate → ON

          Solution 11: Limit Spotlight Indexing

          Spotlight search indexing can heat up the device after setting up.

          To limit this:
          Settings → Siri & Search

          • Disable suggestions for unnecessary apps.

          • Turn off “Show App in Search” for rarely used apps.

            Solution 12: Avoid Using Phone While Charging

            iPhone 15 Overheating: Why It’s Happening and How to Fix It Without a Restore (Detailed Guide); Using the phone while it’s plugged in — especially for gaming, video calls, or downloads — raises internal temperature.

            Let the device rest while charging, especially during fast charging.

            Solution 13: Use Apple-Certified Chargers

            Non-certified chargers may cause inefficient charging and excessive heating.

            • Use Apple-certified (MFi) cables and power adapters.

            • Avoid cheap third-party accessories

              Solution 14: Remove Phone Case During Heating

              Thick or non-breathable cases trap heat.

              • Remove the case temporarily to allow faster cooling.

              • Opt for thin, breathable cases for everyday use.

                Solution 15: Reset All Settings (Without Data Loss)

                If overheating persists after trying the above steps, resetting settings can help.

                Go to:
                Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings

                This resets:

                • Wi-Fi networks

                • Keyboard dictionary

                • Display settings

                • Location settings

                No data or apps are erased.
                

                4. Preventive Tips to Avoid Overheating in the Future

                1. Keep iOS Updated Regularly

                Apple consistently fixes bugs through updates.

                2. Be Cautious with Beta Software

                Avoid installing developer or public betas unless necessary.

                3. Monitor App Health Regularly

                Check battery usage every week and uninstall problematic apps.

                4. Store iPhone in Cool Environments

                Avoid leaving the phone in hot environments or under direct sunlight.

                5. Moderate Gaming Sessions

                Limit continuous gaming to avoid long-term thermal stress.

                6. Limit Video Editing Tasks on the Phone

                Use video editing apps cautiously or in short intervals.

                5. When to Seek Professional Help

                If your iPhone 15 continues to overheat after all these fixes:

                • Visit an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.

                • Request a diagnostic check for hardware faults like:

                  • Failing battery

                  • Defective logic board

                  • Malfunctioning charging circuitry

                If your device is under AppleCare+ or warranty, you may get free repairs or replacement.

                Conclusion

                iPhone 15 Overheating: Why It’s Happening and How to Fix It Without a Restore (Detailed Guide);   iPhone 15 overheating is common, especially during the first few weeks after setup or major updates, but it’s often fixable without a full restore. Most overheating cases are linked to software bugs, app behavior, or environmental factors.

                By systematically closing background apps, disabling unneeded services, adjusting display/network settings, and updating iOS, you can often solve the problem entirely.

                Remember: Restoring or resetting the phone should only be a last resort. In most cases, a combination of the above steps will cool down your iPhone 15 and prevent future overheating episodes.