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So, how exactly do you tell how hot your iPhone is?
Yesterday, I wrote about how heatwave temperatures can damage -- even permanently damage -- your iPhone's battery. And even if your iPhone escapes damage, it can put your phone into a mode where you can't do much with it until it cools down.
Then I get what an obvious question is, but one I hoped you wouldn't ask.
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How do you tell how hot your iPhone is?
You could wait until your iPhone throws up the high-temperature warning, and then, well, you know it's too hot.
That's the only mechanism that Apple offers.
But surely, the iPhone has a built-in temperature sensor, and there must be apps that can read and display that data.
Surely there's an app for that.
Well, I found one, but I had to download and test dozens of apps in order to find one that will display a reading from the temperature sensor.
The one I found is called Battery and charger test, and while this app looks rather simplistic and does display ads (some especially annoying), it also display a temperature, and this seems to be reasonably accurate. I checked the temperature of the iPhone using a thermal camera, and also warmed and cooled the iPhone to monitor temperature changes.
It seems reasonably accurate, and right now the best we seem to have.
Battery Charge and Test app showing internal sensor temperature
I dug through a few dozen more apps after testing the Battery and charger test, but I couldn't find anything. If you know of another app that gives temperature readings, let me know.
Don't want to bother with an app? I can think of two other methods:
- Use a non-contact thermometer (infrared laser probe or a thermal camera)
- Touch the phone, and it's uncomfortable to the touch; it's too hot!
It's a shame Apple doesn't offer up this information, as it could be something that could help users get more life from their battery.