Is your iPhone XS Max running unusually hot after installing the iOS 13 update? Overheating can be caused by buggy apps, background activity, or system glitches introduced by new software. Here’s how to cool things down and fix the problem for good.
1. Close All Background Apps
Leftover apps running in the background—especially during a system update—can misbehave and cause your phone to overheat.
How to close them:
- Swipe up from the bottom and pause in the middle of the screen.
- Swipe side to side to view app previews.
- Swipe up on each app card to force close them.
Once you’ve cleared them all out, give your phone a few minutes and check for signs of cooling.
2. Reboot or Force Restart Your iPhone
Restarting helps eliminate minor bugs and clears the RAM—two common causes of overheating after an update.
Soft reset (normal reboot):
- Press and hold the Side button and either Volume button.
- When the power slider appears, drag it to turn off your iPhone.
- Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the Side button to turn it back on.
Force restart:
- Quickly press and release Volume Up.
- Quickly press and release Volume Down.
- Then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
3. Update All Apps
Old apps might not be optimized for iOS 13 and could be misbehaving in the background.
To update them:
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner.
- Scroll to Available Updates.
- Tap Update All, or update apps one by one.
After updating, restart your phone to apply the changes and help prevent overheating.
4. Reset All Settings
iOS updates often override system settings. If anything got corrupted, resetting all settings could fix it—without deleting your personal data.
To reset:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
- Tap Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
Your phone will reboot. Once it’s back on, check if the device still heats up under normal usage.
5. Factory Reset (Use Only If Nothing Else Works)
If the overheating is severe and persistent, and all other fixes failed, a factory reset may help. Just make sure to back up your data first.
Steps:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
- Your iPhone will erase itself and restart.
Set it up as new, and monitor it before restoring your backup to ensure the issue doesn’t return.
Still Overheating? Try Advanced Restore Options
If the problem continues, consider:
- Recovery Mode Restore
- DFU Mode Restore
These are deeper-level resets that can fix stubborn firmware issues. You’ll need a Mac or PC with iTunes to run them. Or, if you’re unsure how, Apple Support can walk you through it or help with hardware diagnostics.