That viral trick of cooling an overheating phone in the fridge could do more harm than good, with experts warning it may cause permanent internal damage.
Your smartphone may be feeling the heat this summer—but experts say the fridge is the last place it belongs. Repair technicians, Apple, Samsung, and other industry experts are warning users to avoid the viral cooling hack, saying sudden temperature changes can create condensation inside the device, leading to corrosion, short circuits, and costly repairs. Sometimes, the smartest solution is simply letting your phone cool down naturally.
WEBDESK – MEDIABITES NEWS
Feeling sorry for your overheating smartphone? Whatever you do, don’t reward it with a trip to the fridge.
Every summer, social media revives the same viral “life hack”: If your phone gets too hot, pop it into the refrigerator for a few minutes. It sounds clever—until your phone ends up needing an expensive repair instead of a cool-down.
According to a BBC report, repair technicians and smartphone manufacturers all agree on one thing: your fridge is for leftovers, not smartphones.
Why your fridge isn’t your phone’s best friend
Jamie Farnell, who runs Shropshire Phone Repairs in the UK, says many customers arrived at his shop after trying the refrigerator trick during the recent heatwave.
The problem isn’t the cold itself—it’s the sudden change in temperature.
When a hot phone enters a cold, humid environment, condensation can form inside the device. That hidden moisture can reach sensitive components like the charging port, display, motherboard, and battery connectors, potentially causing corrosion, short circuits, or permanent damage.
In other words, your phone may survive the heatwave but not the fridge.
Another internet myth refuses to die
Farnell also poured cold water on another long-running internet “hack”—placing a wet phone in a bowl of rice.
According to repair experts, that trick is just as unreliable as refrigerating an overheating device.
His warning comes after a swollen lithium battery inside an iPad reportedly caught fire during June’s heatwave, highlighting how excessive heat can seriously affect batteries.
Apple and Samsung agree
Fortunately, your smartphone is smarter than many internet hacks.
Both Apple and Samsung say their devices are designed to protect themselves when temperatures rise.
An overheating phone may automatically dim its display, slow charging, reduce performance, or temporarily disable certain features until it cools down.
Rather than reaching for the refrigerator, both companies recommend moving the device into the shade, unplugging it from charging, removing thick protective cases, closing demanding apps, and simply letting it cool naturally.
Here’s what you should do instead
If your phone starts feeling like a pocket-sized toaster:
- Move it out of direct sunlight.
- Stop charging it.
- Close heavy apps and games.
- Remove bulky phone cases.
- Lower screen brightness.
- Let it rest in a cool, shaded place with good airflow.
Most importantly—be patient.
The coolest solution? Do nothing.
Modern smartphones already have sophisticated thermal management systems that know when to slow things down before permanent damage occurs.
That temporary warning message might be annoying, but it’s far cheaper than replacing a water-damaged motherboard because you thought your phone deserved a quick chill next to yesterday’s cheesecake.
So this summer, keep the ice cream in the freezer…
…and keep your smartphone out of it.
49 Comments
Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my apple ipad and tested to see if it can survive a twenty five foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
Very efficiently written information. It will be supportive to everyone who usess it, as well as yours truly :). Keep up the good work – for sure i will check out more posts.
Your style is so unique compared to many other people. Thank you for publishing when you have the opportunity,Guess I will just make this bookmarked.
Very interesting details you have observed, thanks for putting up.
It’s actually a nice and helpful piece of info. I am satisfied that you shared this useful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I to find It really helpful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.
Some times its a pain in the ass to read what people wrote but this website is really user friendly! .
Of course, what a fantastic website and illuminating posts, I will bookmark your website.All the Best!
Hello! I just would like to give a huge thumbs up for the great info you have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
A person essentially help to make seriously articles I would state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to make this particular publish incredible. Magnificent job!
I like this web site because so much useful material on here :D.
I have to convey my affection for your generosity for folks who should have help with that concern. Your special dedication to passing the solution all around ended up being amazingly productive and have usually made men and women like me to get to their targets. Your warm and friendly guideline can mean so much a person like me and even more to my office colleagues. Thanks a ton; from each one of us.
My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different website and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you. Look forward to going over your web page again.
Hello. remarkable job. I did not expect this. This is a fantastic story. Thanks!
This web site is mostly a walk-by way of for all the data you wished about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse right here, and you’ll positively discover it.
Some truly superb information, Gladiolus I detected this.
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give one thing back and aid others such as you helped me.
Wow! This can be one particular of the most beneficial blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Excellent. I am also a specialist in this topic therefore I can understand your effort.
Just wanna remark on few general things, The website layout is perfect, the subject material is real wonderful : D.
Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask. Would you be interested in exchanging links or maybe guest authoring a blog post or vice-versa? My site covers a lot of the same subjects as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from each other. If you might be interested feel free to send me an e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you! Terrific blog by the way!
I will right away snatch your rss feed as I can not in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please allow me know in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
I conceive other website proprietors should take this internet site as an model, very clean and excellent user pleasant pattern.
What i do not realize is actually how you are not really much more well-liked than you may be right now. You are very intelligent. You realize therefore significantly relating to this subject, produced me personally consider it from numerous varied angles. Its like women and men aren’t fascinated unless it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs excellent. Always maintain it up!
Thank you for another informative blog. The place else may just I am getting that kind of info written in such an ideal means? I’ve a mission that I’m just now working on, and I have been at the look out for such info.
Rattling great information can be found on blog. “The only thing you take with you when you’re gone is what you leave behind.” by John Allston.
You made certain fine points there. I did a search on the subject and found the majority of people will have the same opinion with your blog.
Thank you for every other fantastic post. Where else could anyone get that type of information in such a perfect approach of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I am at the search for such info.
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know so much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is fantastic blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.
Admiring the persistence you put into your site and detailed information you present. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed information. Wonderful read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
My brother suggested I may like this blog. He used to be totally right. This post truly made my day. You can not believe simply how a lot time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
I have recently started a web site, the info you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
Would you be keen on exchanging hyperlinks?
I like this web blog very much, Its a very nice post to read and get information. “You have to lead people gently toward what they already know is right.” by Philip.
Some truly excellent information, Gladiolus I noticed this.
Absolutely indited articles, regards for entropy.
Fantastic website you have here but I was curious about if you knew of any community forums that cover the same topics discussed in this article? I’d really love to be a part of group where I can get advice from other experienced individuals that share the same interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me know. Bless you!
I have recently started a website, the info you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thank you for all of your time & work.
I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.
Real instructive and excellent body structure of content, now that’s user friendly (:.
Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossips and web and this is really annoying. A good web site with interesting content, that is what I need. Thanks for keeping this website, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it.
It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or advice. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things about it!
Attractive part of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to claim that I acquire actually loved account your weblog posts. Anyway I’ll be subscribing on your feeds or even I success you get admission to constantly quickly.
Well I sincerely liked reading it. This information procured by you is very useful for proper planning.
Wow, marvelous weblog structure! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for? you made running a blog glance easy. The whole glance of your web site is fantastic, let alone the content material!
I’d have to check with you here. Which isn’t something I usually do! I get pleasure from reading a put up that can make individuals think. Also, thanks for allowing me to remark!
Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem together with your website in web explorer, may check thisK IE still is the market leader and a large section of people will miss your excellent writing because of this problem.
Lovely blog! I am loving it!! Will come back again. I am bookmarking your feeds also.
Real wonderful info can be found on web site.
After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.