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iOS 17.0.3 fixes heat problems on the iPhone 15

4.10.2023

Translation: machine translated

In certain situations, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max get too hot. According to Apple, this is due to bugs in iOS 17 and various apps. The iOS update 17.0.3 from 4 October should fix the error. There are apparently other problems with BMW charging cradles.

Update, 4 October 2023: The iOS update 17.0.3 is now available for download, which Apple says provides a remedy. The official update notes: "This update contains important bug fixes and security updates. It also fixes an issue that causes the iPhone to overheat."

Since the iPhone 15 went on sale, there have been increasing reports that the devices run hot and the temperatures on the casing can reach up to 43 degrees Celsius. In the Apple forum one user wrote: "I have the new iPhone 15 Pro and it gets so hot that I can't hold it in my hand". Apparently, it's mainly the Pro models that are causing problems.

Product test
iPhone 15 Pro review: pointlessly pretty
by Samuel Buchmann

There has been much speculation about the reasons. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo writes that Apple's design is to blame. In order to make the iPhone lighter, the manufacturer has compromised on the cooling of the Pro model. The new titanium frame is also suboptimal for thermal efficiency. Titanium dissipates heat less well than aluminium, for example.

Apple cites software bugs as the cause

On Sunday, Apple has now made an official statement to "Forbes". The software is responsible for the problem - on the one hand a bug in iOS 17, on the other hand certain apps such as Instagram. In tests, the social media app put an above-average strain on the battery - not only on the latest iPhones, but also on older devices.

The iPhone 15 Pro can get pretty warm - even without being in the sun like here.
Source: Samuel Buchmann

The iPhone manufacturer says: "We have identified certain circumstances that can cause the iPhone to get warmer than expected. The device may feel warmer in the first few days after setting up or restoring due to increased background activity." This alone is nothing special and has always been the case. However, according to Apple, a bug in iOS 17 is also causing problems that can lead to system overload. The company is working with app developers on corrections.

A software update should soon provide a remedy. According to Apple, it will have no impact on the performance of the iPhone. Instagram has already received an update, and other affected apps such as Uber are also working on a solution.

BMW charging switches destroy the NFC chip?

There are also worrying reports from owners of BMW cars. The wireless charging cradles in the vehicles can apparently damage the iPhone 15's Near Field Communication (NFC) chip. This is the basis for things like Apple Pay or digital car keys.

According to forum posts, the screen turned white after wireless charging in BMWs and the device went into recovery mode. After that, the NFC chip was no longer functional and Apple Pay could no longer be configured. It is not yet clear how many devices the problem affects - and whether it can only occur with the Pro models or all iPhone 15s. Apple has not yet issued a statement.

Note: This article was first published on 2 October and was updated on 4 October with information about the iOS update. Older comments refer to the status of the article before the revision.

Cover photo: Samuel Buchmann

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Samuel Buchmann

Senior Editor

Samuel.Buchmann@digitecgalaxus.ch

My fingerprint often changes so drastically that my MacBook doesn't recognise it anymore. The reason? If I'm not clinging to a monitor or camera, I'm probably clinging to a rockface by the tips of my fingers.

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