SNOW has blanketed much of the UK – and that could be a real problem for smartphone owners.
If you’re suddenly experiencing awful iPhone battery life – or your handset won’t even switch on – then the freezing weather is likely to blame.
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Lots of the UK is seeing snow and freezing temperatures at the moment.
This frosty weather always leads to complaints from iPhone users that battery life isn’t up to scratch.
However, you shouldn’t worry too much.
It’s not uncommon for this to happen. In fact, Apple even has a special support page dedicated to explaining the problem.
“Low- or high-temperature conditions might cause the device to change its behaviour to regulate its temperature,” the iPhone maker writes.
“Using an iOS device in very cold conditions outside of its operating range might temporarily shorten battery life.”
Apple adds that very cold temperatures “could cause the device to turn off”.
The support page continues: “Battery life will return to normal when you bring the device back to higher ambient temperatures.”
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The good news is that the real problem isn’t cold weather – which only temporarily affects your iPhone – but hot weather instead: “Using an iOS device in very hot conditions can permanently shorten your battery life.”
Why does cold weather affect phone batteries?
Your iPhone – and other smartphones too – use lithium-ion batteries.
These batteries contain an electrolyte liquid.
If it gets very cold, this liquid can crystallise – like honey in a chilly pantry.
If this happens, the electricity can’t properly flow through the battery.
That means you can end up getting significantly worse battery life.
In some rare cases, it can mean your phone shuts down altogether.
Fortunately, your phone should work as normal once you get somewhere warm.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
