Mouser warns against viral hacks to cool overheating phones

Mouser has warned smartphone users not to try viral cooling hacks during hot weather as UK searches for ways to cool down phones surge.

Technology specialists at the electronics distributor warned that putting a handset in a fridge or freezer, or using ice cubes, ice packs or wet towels, can cause lasting internal damage. Sudden temperature changes may trigger condensation inside the device, creating moisture problems that can be more serious than the overheating itself.

The warning follows the spread of social media videos showing users trying improvised ways to cool their phones during periods of high temperatures. One TikTok clip drew 5.7 million views after showing a user pressing an ice cube against a phone while joking about saving an iPhone from the heat.

The video prompted a stream of comments, with some viewers criticising the approach and others suggesting similarly extreme measures. Among the responses were recommendations to place phones in a fridge for several minutes, even as other users argued that abrupt cooling could damage internal components.

Search interest suggests the issue has become more common as temperatures rise. Google searches for "how to cool down phone" increased by 1147% over the past three months, according to Mouser, as consumers looked for ways to deal with devices struggling in hotter conditions.

What to avoid

Mark Patrick, Tech Lead at Mouser, said the appeal of social media fixes can be misleading when a phone starts to overheat.

He said: "When your phone overheats, it can be tempting to try dramatic cooling methods you see on social media, but these can often make the problem worse. Never put your phone in a fridge or freezer, and avoid cooling it with ice packs, ice cubes or wet towels. Rapid temperature changes can cause condensation to form inside the device, leading to moisture damage and long-term hardware issues. In many cases, water damage can be far more serious than the overheating itself."

Many of the hacks circulating online focus on reducing temperature as quickly as possible rather than letting the device cool gradually. Phones generate heat through processor use, screen brightness, wireless connections and battery activity, and hot outdoor conditions can make it harder for that heat to dissipate.

Safer steps

Users should first reduce the strain on a phone if it becomes unusually hot. That includes closing unnecessary apps, switching on Low Power Mode or Battery Saver, lowering screen brightness and turning off services such as Bluetooth, GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile data when they are not needed.

Another recommendation is to move the device out of direct sunlight as soon as it feels hot or shows a temperature alert. Hot surfaces, including car dashboards, patio tables and window ledges, can intensify the problem, while a shaded indoor area or cool, ventilated room gives the handset a better chance of returning to a normal operating temperature.

Users are also advised to remove protective cases while the phone cools down. Thicker rubber or rugged cases can trap warmth around the handset and slow the release of heat.

The guidance highlights how heat has become an everyday consumer technology issue rather than a specialist concern. Smartphones are now relied on for navigation, payments, photography, messaging and entertainment, making overheating more disruptive when users are outdoors, travelling or away from chargers and indoor spaces.

It also underlines the tension between consumer habits shaped by short-form video platforms and the physical limits of electronic devices. Advice shared widely online can travel faster than more cautious guidance, especially when people are looking for an immediate fix.