Is your iPhone X getting unusually hot after updating to iOS 12? You’re not alone. Overheating is a common post-update issue that’s been showing up for iPhone users since the early days of iOS. The good news? It’s usually software-related and fixable with a few simple steps.
Below are several proven methods to cool down your iPhone X and stop the overheating before it causes battery damage or performance issues.
Close Background Apps and Restart Your iPhone
After updating iOS, background apps might glitch out and start hogging system resources — which can overheat your phone fast.
Here’s how to force close all apps:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle.
- Swipe up on each app card to close them completely.
Then restart your iPhone:
- Press and hold the Side button + Volume up/down.
- Slide to power off.
- Wait 30 seconds, then hold the Side button again to turn it back on.
Check Battery Usage for Problem Apps
Some apps go rogue after updates and start draining your battery like crazy — a major overheating trigger.
To check battery usage:
- Go to Settings > Battery.
- Wait for the list to load.
- Tap Show Activity or Battery Usage to see what’s using the most power.
If you see an app eating more battery than usual, try updating it or uninstalling it temporarily.
Update All Apps
Old apps might not play well with iOS 12 and can cause overheating if they’re not optimized.
To manually update apps:
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your profile icon or the Updates tab.
- Tap Update All or update them one by one.
Restart your iPhone after the updates to apply changes.
Reset All Settings
Sometimes an iOS update tweaks your settings in ways that cause conflicts or bugs. Resetting system settings can help without wiping your data.
To reset all settings:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset.
- Tap Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode if asked.
- Confirm the reset.
This resets things like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and display settings — but your apps, photos, and files stay untouched.
Restore iPhone via iTunes (Recovery Mode)
If the overheating continues, restoring iOS through Recovery Mode can clear deeper glitches.
Here’s how:
- Plug your iPhone X into your computer and launch iTunes.
- Force restart:
- Press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down.
- Hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears.
- On your computer, choose Restore when prompted.
This will erase and reinstall iOS — so make sure to back up first.
Still Overheating? Try a DFU Restore
If even a Recovery Mode restore doesn’t help, a DFU (Device Firmware Update) restore is your last software option. It reloads all of your iPhone’s firmware — basically like reinstalling the brain of your phone.
It’s more advanced and will wipe everything, so back up your data first. If you need help with DFU mode, check our full guide on DFU restore for iPhone X.
Still Hot? It Might Be Hardware
If your iPhone X is still overheating after all of this, it could be a hardware issue — especially if your phone has taken a fall, gotten wet, or the battery is worn.
At this point, it’s best to:
- Contact Apple Support
- Visit a Genius Bar for diagnostics
- Or go to an Apple-authorized repair center