Apple Issues Fix For Overheating Problems

iphone

Following complaints from customers about an overheating issue with the Apple iPhone 15 Pro, Apple has issued an update to iOS 17 that provides security updates and bug fixes, including a fix for the overheating issue. 

Overheating 

Since the iPhone 15 went on sale in September customers have been reporting that their devices were heating up to the point that they were too hot to touch.

Speculative Causes 

Some of the user speculation about the possible causes of the overheating has included blaming the new titanium casing because it may be less effective at dissipating heat than the old stainless steel casing, the introduction of the new USB-C port to comply with European law (Apple has been forced to replace its ‘Lightning Cable’), and the new Taiwan-made A17 Pro chip.

Apple has denied that the casing or the USB-C port have been a cause of the overheating and has also said that it will not be reducing the performance of the new chip as a way of preventing overheating. 

The Actual Causes (According To Apple) 

In a statement issued to many of the main media channels, Apple has acknowledged the issue and identified what it believes the conditions that may be causing phones to “run hotter than expected.” In the reported statement, Apple identified these as the causes of the overheating: 

  • Increased background activity in the first few days after setting up or restoring the device. 
  • A bug in iOS 17 (Apple’s latest operating system, released September 18 this year). 
  • Recent updates to third-party apps that are causing them to overload the system. It’s been reported that these updated third-party apps include Instagram, Uber, the and the Asphalt 9 video game app. Uber is already reported to have fixed the issue with its app. 

Fixed With An Update 

On Wednesday 4th October Apple issued an iOS 17 update, iOS 17.0.3, which should resolve the overheating issue.

To download the update, go to:

  • Settings> General > Software Update > Install now. Then follow the on-screen prompts.

Update Also Patches a Zero-Day Vulnerability

If you don’t own an iPhone 15 Pro it is still recommended that you download the update. This update also contains a patch for a zero-day exploit that would assist a hacker in manipulate the operating system if not fixed. Apple are aware of a report that this vulnerability may already have been actively exploited against in versions of iOS that came before iOS 16.6.

Recent Woes With iOS 17 And The iPhone 12 

This latest overheating problem adds to a string of bad publicity and their likely negative effects on sales and reputation. For example: 

  • Apple’s iPhone 12 sales recently being banned in France over fears that it could be emitting dangerous radiation. Apple has disputed ANFR test findings that led to the ban but has opted for a software update to fix any radiation issues because it had a limited time to comply, and other countries were threatening sales bans too. 
  • Just days after the iOS 17 launch, Apple had to release the  iOS 17.0.1 and iPad OS 17.0.1 security update to fix three critical vulnerabilities, all of which may already have been actively exploited against versions of the iPhone OS before iOS 16.7. 

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

It must be particularly frustrating for Apple that just as it was about to launch the iPhone 15, it was facing sales bans of the iPhone 12 based on a report in France showing a slightly high radiation ‘limb SAR’ value (which Apple disputes), followed by the need to issue a security update to its iOS 17 just days after its release. Then it faced reports from angry customers about overheating of its latest iPhone release – they say trouble comes in threes.

Any reports of overheating phones and radiation, for example, are likely to trigger fears about fires and cancer risk among consumers. The iPhone 12 sales ban must have hit sales, and overheating may also be a turnoff to customers plus a chance for Apple’s competitors to pick up sales. Bearing in mind what seems like a succession of issues, which could potentially chip away at the reputation of iPhones being a safe and secure choice, it’s not surprising that Apple has sought to get updates out there as quickly as possible, challenged the speculation, and issued a statement for the media to report.

It remains to be seen if the updates fully fix the issues and silence the criticism. Apple must be hoping (and trying to ensure) that attention can soon be shifted to the positive aspects of the new features of its new phone and OS rather than the potential risks they may pose.

If you would like to discuss your technology requirements please:

Back to Tech News

/by