Mobile phone batteries die quickly when the device is exposed to heat - including the scorching sunshine the UK is experiencing - but there are ways to prolong their lifespan.
Phones can swelter in this heatwave, during which temperatures have exceeded 25C in most places, because heat from the sun's rays can damage their internal circuits ands batteries.
Over time, continued heat exposure can even lead to data loss or screen damage, among other performance issues.
But there are failsafe strategies to help cool it down and give your device an endless summer. These include simple tweaks, like taking off the phone's case.
Keep your phone away from other tech
When phones rest on another piece of tech, such as laptops or tablets, they become vulnerable to overheating. This is because they are close to further warmth, in addition to the sunlight.
Avoid using your phone while it's charging
Charging your phone can cause it to get warmer - as can running a lot of apps at once.
When the phone is charging, using apps or even texting can cause it to become hotter.
Also, avoid putting your device anywhere too cold like the fridge or freezer. Many of the materials in your phone can expand in the heat or contract in the cold, and sudden changes can contribute to wear and tear.
Switch the phone off
When a car is in idle, it runs hotter than a car with its engine switched off.
In a similar way, a phone runs cooler when it is switched off entirely, rather than left on and inactive. It might be wise therefore to shut down your phone occasionally.
Keeping all that electricity from needlessly pumping through your phone's circuitry helps prevent it from overheating.
Use a correct and undamaged charger
A shoddy, third party charger or even a good charger that has seen better days can pump electricity into your mobile device in a way that contributes to overheating.
If your noticing unusual warmth from your phone, it's always a good idea to check for damage around the cable, port, and plug.
Take off the case
Your phone's case can act as extra layer of insulation, trapping heat like a jumper, on a hot day.
When possible, let your phone have a breather by letting it go au naturel as there won't be a need to bundle it up tightly in the heat.
Close needless apps
You can also comb through your phone for apps you are not using and shut them down to help.
Each additional app that's open is demanding more effort from your phone to run, raising its body temperature.
No direct sunlight
Of course, direct solar attention will only make your device warmer and increase the risk of damage.
Move it to a shaded spot to reduce the amount of heat coming at it from above.
Delete unused apps
Some applications may be running in the background on your phone, leaving your central processing unit (CPU) working overtime to power your phone and heating it up in the process.
Uninstalling any unused apps will help lessen the load on your device, keeping its temperature down and its processing speed up.
Dim your phone's screen
Your device's CPU may be overheating if your screen feels warm.
So, try lowering the brightness of your phone's touchscreen and give its CPU a much needed break.
Update the operating system and your apps
Mobile developers are often figuring out how to make their software more efficient for your phone.
So, running your apps and operating system on the latest version will use less of your device's energy, keeping it cool in the process.
