How to use Mac, iPhone and iPad in dangerous UK heatwave

On Holiday, image c/o Sunny M5/Flickr.

Are you ready for the 40-degree heat that’s anticipated across the UK in the coming few days? If you use your Mac to get things done, you probably should be.

The UK’s Red Weather is not a good thing

The UK Met Office has issued an unprecedented Red Warning that many parts of the UK will be red hot next week as temperatures reach 40C-degree (104F-degree) in some parts of the country.

This is significantly higher than the existing 38.7C-degree record of the UK and reflects the planet’s rapid environmental decline.

It also represents a significant threat to life.

The UK infrastructure is already creaking under the strain. Not only are buildings and other infrastructure built for less extreme temperatures, but the majority lack air conditioning of filtration systems, so when buildings get hot the people inside them do. And so does their equipment.

Your Macs, iPhones and iPads will be hot

So, in parts of the UK, including London, temperature will hit 40°C on July 18,19. That’s hot. But bear in mind that Apple recommends the following ambient temperatures when operating its devices:

• Mac notebooks: Between 50° and 95°F (10° and 35°C).
• Mac desktops (I checked Mac mini): 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
• iPhones and iPads: between 32º to 95ºF (Up to 35ºC).

In other words, all Apple devices will be running at the high end of their recommended ambient temperature. That will be higher if they are used inside poorly ventilated and hot places, such as inside cars, and if you are using your systems to run high-performance applications it seems possible you may encounter problems as the machines heat up.

For the first time temperatures of 40°C have been forecast in the UK and the first ever Red warning for exceptional heat has been issued.

Find out more in our press release 👇

— Met Office (@metoffice) July 15, 2022

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What do Macs, iPhones and iPads do if it gets too hot?

Apple’s guidelines are almost certainly conservative in this regard and I think most people should have no problems at all, though some may endure unexpected system shut downs if the machines get too hot.

Apple also says that if the interior temperature of your device exceeds the normal operating range, your device will try to protect itself by attempting to regulate its temperature. That means your device may:

• Slow down or stop its charging cycle to reduce heat.
• The display dims or goes black.
• Mobile radios enter a low-power state so you may encounter worse reception.
• On iPhones, the camera flash may be disabled.
• Performance slows with graphics-intensive or augmented reality apps or features.
• When using Maps to navigate on iPhones, you may encounter an alert to tell you the following: “”Temperature: iPhone needs to cool down.”
• Macs may simply power off.
• You will find iPhones get hotter when making calls or using Wi-Fi.

What shouldn’t you do with your tech on hot days?

• Definitely don’t recharge your iPhone, iPad or Mac in direct sunlight
• Don’t leave your device plugged into power unattended. When charging your device do check to ensure it isn’t running hot.
• Avoid leaving your device in a car on a hot day.
• Avoid leaving your device in direct sunlight.
• Avoid using certain features, such as GPS tracking or high-performance applications in hot conditions or direct sunlight for an extended period of time.
• One tip that may work is to avoid using Chrome or working with too many browser tabs. Browsers are notorious for squandering energy, so the few windows you have open the better.
• Don’t cramp your iPhone in your pocket – let it breathe!

How to keep your equipment cool when in use

• If you can’t get to an air-conditioned space, use a fan to blow air toward your Mac’s ventilation system.
• Place your MacBook on a solid surface to help boost air flow. If you can find a cold stone tile, that may help. A Laptop stand is best.
• You can also try to put your Macs air vents in positions where you maximize air flow.
• Don’t use your Mac notebook on your bed, on a pillow or under bedding.

• Don’t put anything over the keyboard.
• If your Mac notebook has ventilation openings, don’t put anything in them.
• Consider trying a pet cooling pad, but be sure not to block the vents.
• Use power-saving modes where available.
• Remove your iPhone from its case.
• Monitor how much energy you are using with applications such as Activity Monitor or the Battery tool.
• If your systems become unstable, switch them off to give them time to cool down.
• Avoid running high-performance applications.
• If possible, power all your devices off.

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