iPhone 5S cold temp problems

[ryeh20]

Has anyone had problems with the iPhone 5 shutting down when it cold outside?

 

[RadDave]

Has anyone had problems with the iPhone 5 shutting down when it cold outside?

Well, I've been to Toronto several times but in the summer months, so must get pretty cold in the winter - BUT: 1) What temperatures are you talking about; and 2) Is this a new problem?

Quoted below from the Apple website are the environmental specs of the iPhone 5; the recommended lower 'operative' temperature recommended is 32 F; of course w/ the device OFF, the temperature range is much greater. Dave

.

 

[ryeh20]

Hey Dave,
The temp outside was around -4C and the phone was in my pants pocket. I took one picture and it shut off. Put it in the warm truck and it started back up. (push and hold button)
It's the first time it's happened to me, but other guys I work with have had it happen.
You would think the battery should be a little more robust.
Someone said that this kind of thing would qualify for the battery replacement program, but my serial number didn't hit the jackpot. Do you think it should still operate up to -20C?

 

[RadDave]

Hey Dave,
The temp outside was around -4C and the phone was in my pants pocket. I took one picture and it shut off. Put it in the warm truck and it started back up. (push and hold button)
It's the first time it's happened to me, but other guys I work with have had it happen.
You would think the battery should be a little more robust.
Someone said that this kind of thing would qualify for the battery replacement program, but my serial number didn't hit the jackpot. Do you think it should still operate up to -20C?

Hi Ryeh.. - well, just below freezing, I would have expected the device to work (there's always some built-in leeway in these specs/recommendations) - cannot comment on your battery replacement issue - lithium ion battery technology has become much more robust - quote below from HERE, so likely many other factors involved w/ operating these little electronic machines in 'cold' weather.

Hopefully, others living in colder climates will 'chime in' w/ comments - I grew up in Michigan, so know the winter weather up north - one reason, my wife (from New Jersey originally) & I moved to North Carolina (going into the teens here is a rare COLD spell!). Dave

Currently, the state-of-the-art lithium-ion system has been demonstrated to operate over a wide range of temperatures (–40 to +40 ºC); however, the rate capability at the lower temperatures is very poor. In addition, the low-temperature performance typically deteriorates rapidly upon being exposed to high temperatures.

 

[canadiantowman]

Has anyone had problems with the iPhone 5 shutting down when it cold outside?

Used mine all last winter at night outside never had any problems, same so far this year.

 

[rsm54]

Has anyone had problems with the iPhone 5 shutting down when it cold outside?

Yes, I had this problem yesterday while trying to use my iPhone during a winter weather-related emergency, when stranded in -2 degree temps in my car for about 1-1/2 hours. I was able to use the phone long enough to call for assistance, but shortly after that, I heard the phone beep, and noticed it displaying the temperature warning with the red thermometer icon, "iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it." Very ironic, given the circumstances. The phone was useless at that point, although it didn't appear to fully shutdown, since the wallpaper with the date and time were still visible.

Later on, once I was able to warm it up, it started working again. The phone hadn't lost any of its charge. It doesn't give me much comfort to know my iPhone could fail at a time I might need it most.

I'll be bringing it in to my service provider this weekend for an evaluation.

 

[MacInWin]

Read what the Apple site shown in Post #2 says: Operating ambient temperature: 32 to 95 degrees F. So, -2 no matter F or C, is outside that operating range. The other range, -4 to 113F, is just for the phone to exist, but not operate. Outside that range, there is no guarantee that damage will not occur. Given those ranges, it's not reasonable to expect the phone to operate in -2 conditions.

 

[Jim G]

Cold Shut Down

Like rsm54 I too get a "iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it." when it gets cold (<30F). I use the phone as a speedometer on my bike and hadn't had any problems until recently. I wonder if recently is ios8. I know what the operating specs say but this error message is obviously wrong and shutting down doesn't help with cold (the opposite)

 

[MacInWin]

Well, the message is wrong, but the problem is still valid. It's outside the operating range. And the message doesn't say shut down, but does imply that is needed to cool off, which is not helpful. On your bike, about all I can think of is to use a hand warmer to keep it warm as you ride.

 

[meleskim]

Yes, I had this problem yesterday while trying to use my iPhone during a winter weather-related emergency, when stranded in -2 degree temps in my car for about 1-1/2 hours. I was able to use the phone long enough to call for assistance, but shortly after that, I heard the phone beep, and noticed it displaying the temperature warning with the red thermometer icon, "iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it." Very ironic, given the circumstances. The phone was useless at that point, although it didn't appear to fully shutdown, since the wallpaper with the date and time were still visible.

Later on, once I was able to warm it up, it started working again. The phone hadn't lost any of its charge. It doesn't give me much comfort to know my iPhone could fail at a time I might need it most.

I'll be bringing it in to my service provider this weekend for an evaluation.

Have IPhone 5S. Same problem. Since it got cold in Dec, phone has shut down unexpectedly, when needed it the most . Needed phone in an emergency. Did not have same problem last winter. Battery has been at 100% when this has occurred. The phone is much too sensitive to shutting down very quickly when experience cold weather. The message is a joke too : "iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it.

 

[vansmith]

I think each of the posters here have defective phones and/or the phones are in conditions that don't give the phones a chance to remain relatively warm. I've been using phones through temperature dips well below the operating temperatures for years and never had this issue. Mind you, the phone doesn't come out much then (since taking off my gloves to use my phone is just silly).

I used my phone on the way home from the subway yesterday and it was, I'm guessing now, probably -10° or so outside. I'm guessing that the issue here is prolonged use in sub zero temperatures. I've also managed to get by in times when the temperature exceeds the maximum (those good ol days when it creeps into high 30s/low 40s during the summer) and given that I can't cool that off against my body like I can warm it up in the winter, I'd say that this is more a pattern of use issue (I'm not saying this to accuse you of anything but more to point to a possible issue).

 

[Jim G]

I'm guessing it is not defective as it is definitely sensing temperature yet not responding as it should. In my case it happens when it is at about 30F (or below) for 20 minutes or so. I guess it take a few minutes for the phone to drop in temperature. As with meleskim my phone did not shutdown last year either at much colder temperatures. I suspect a recent software upgrade is not handling temperature readings as it should. It makes no sense to force a shutdown when cold as most electronics don't care about cold, shutting down only makes it colder. I saw an Apple article where it discussed reduced battery life in extreme cold, no reference to shutting down and 30 isn't extreme cold anyway.

 

[meleskim]

I have had this happen on multiple occasions, since Dec 2014,.
Again, phone is 5s with 8.1.2

1) When outside, and phone is in pocket
(Fix for this: is to try to put in an inner pocket).

2) When have go into a cold car, put phone on car seat.
Car was cold inside, took apprpox: 5 minutes to go above 0 C.
But phone shut off after about 2 minutes.
Fix (Don't put on car seat, or place by car heater vent.)

3) As I mentioned before vehicle broke down. Pulled out phone from inner pocket.
a) Made text. (no response from caller)
b) Made Call. (no response from caller)
c) used phone flashlight to check something in engine compartment.
Time for above 2-3 minutes, then phone shut off.
Fix for this : Build bonfire ?

I have had this phone since Dec 2013. Last winter shutdown never occurred, and it was the same or colder last winter.
Battery strength has been of range of 20% to 100% when this has occurred. When phone is working in warm temps, all is fine, battery life is good.
Is there something wrong with phone, don't think so. I think they have decreased tolerance in software to shutdown faster and in warmer temps.

 

[Jim G]

It appears to me that today's ios 8.1.3 fixed the problem. It seemed pretty content after a half hour in the feezer

 

[RadDave]

It appears to me that today's ios 8.1.3 fixed the problem. It seemed pretty content after a half hour in the feezer

For me the iOS update about an hour ago fixed another issue on my iPad Air 2, i.e. I could not get AirDrop to work from my iPad to my MBPro (transferred fine in the other direction), but after going to 8.1.3, now works in BOTH directions - Yippee ki-yay! Dave

 

[Gold68]

ios 8.1.3 did NOT correct my problem with the cold temps. I was on my snowblower for 2 hours with my 5s in my outside pocket. When I got suck in the snow, pulled out the phone only to see....temp needs to cool down before using. Guess you could say I was a little bit upset...

 

[pm-r]

ios 8.1.3 did NOT correct my problem with the cold temps. I was on my snowblower for 2 hours with my 5s in my outside pocket. When I got suck in the snow, pulled out the phone only to see....temp needs to cool down before using. Guess you could say I was a little bit upset...

Have you got pocket warmers going in your pocket??

Seems a bit odd it would say "needs to cool down before using" while using a snowblower. It's normally pretty cold outside when there's snow to be removed. ;P

 

[Gold68]

Well when I saw the message...it has to cool down, sorta knew it was a software problem...and yes, it WAS cold. 14 below F, and the was wind was blowing at 20 mph.

 

[pm-r]

I don't know, but I do know when iOS goes goofy, a shutdown and restart usually works — in normal working temperatures.

And I sure hope you're not still stuck somewhere outside in the snow and cold wind.

 

[Gold68]

Lol pm-r...got it finished, and now have 3 feet on ground, and have to contend with the additional 18 inches. I will remember to put my phone in my inside pants pocket from now on....only trouble is, trying to retrieve it quickly IF I need it!