Extreme weather can harm or permanently damage your devices, from high and low temperatures, heavy rain, to wet environments. Many electronic devices are designed for temperatures between 0°C and 30°C (32°F to 95°F), and usage outside this range is not recommended. Similarly, devices exposed to heavy rainfall or submerged in water can be damaged, even if they are marketed as waterproof or water-resistant.

Here are some steps you can follow to protect your devices during extreme weather, and actions to take to help restore normal functionality if your devices are exposed to harsh conditions.

Hot weather

During everyday use, your device’s battery and other components generate heat. To prevent overheating and maintain ideal operating conditions, devices feature cooling mechanisms such as fans and vents. When the weather is hot, the higher surrounding temperature makes it harder for a device’s cooling systems to work, which can cause the device to overheat to the point that it struggles to operate normally and becomes damaged.

To protect your device in hot weather, you should reduce the chances of it getting too hot:

What to do if your device gets too hot

If your device overheats, it may display a temperature warning and automatically disable certain functions until it cools down.

On an Apple device, you may see a notification that looks like this.

Image courtesy of apple.com

On a Samsung device, you may see a notification that looks like this.

Image courtesy of samsung.com

If your device displays a temperature warning or feels excessively hot to the touch, you should take the following steps:

Step 1. Disconnect the device from chargers and other accessories and close any apps

You should reduce the device’s activity to a minimum to prevent it from generating more heat than necessary. The device should not be charged during this state, and it should not be connected physically or wirelessly to any other devices. Apps running in the background should also be turned off. 

Step 2. Remove wearable devices immediately

Devices you wear close to your skin, such as smartwatches, activity trackers, and smart glasses, should be removed and powered off.

Step 3. Allow the device to cool down before using it again

To cool the device, place it in a room where the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold (roughly 20°C or 70°F) and where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight or sudden temperature changes. Check it regularly to see if it is still warm to the touch. When the device feels the same temperature as the rest of the room, turn it on again and check that it is functioning normally.

Please note:

• Do not place the device in a refrigerator or freezer to cool it down faster, this sudden change in temperature may cause more damage to the device
• Do not apply cold water to a device to cool it down, if your device is exposed to water, please follow the instructions for wet weather listed below

Cold weather

Exposure to temperatures below a device’s recommended operating range can stop it from working properly. Very cold weather causes the built-in battery to drain more quickly and charge more slowly. Wet and cold conditions, such as ice and snow, can expose devices to water damage, even when the water is frozen.

To protect your device in cold weather, you should take the following steps to keep the device dry and prevent it from getting too cold:

What to do if your device gets too cold

If your device drops below a certain temperature, it may display a warning and automatically disable charging until it returns to the right temperature.

On a Samsung device, you may see a notification that looks like this:

Image courtesy of Samsung.com

If your device displays a temperature warning, feels cold to the touch, or has been exposed to ice or snow, you should take the following steps:

Step 1. Allow your device to warm up to room temperature

To warm the device, place it in a room where the temperature is neither too hot nor too cold (roughly 20°C or 70°F), and where it will not be exposed to direct sunlight or sudden temperature changes. Check the device’s temperature by touch regularly, and do not attempt to charge or turn it on until it reaches the same temperature as the room. When this happens, you can turn the device on to check if it’s functioning normally.

Step 2. Do not apply heat to warm up the device

It may be tempting to use a blow dryer, heater, or radiator to warm the device more quickly, but doing so could cause additional damage due to the sudden temperature change. Allow the device to warm up naturally.

Step 3. Make sure your device is dry and free of condensation

If your device has been exposed to cold, moist conditions, such as snowy or icy weather, dry it thoroughly before allowing it to come to room temperature. While your device warms up, check regularly that no condensation is forming on its surface. Condensation occurs when warm room air contacts the cold device, causing the water it carries to condense. This can occur inside the device, putting internal components at risk of damage. If condensation forms on the device, wipe it with a clean, absorbent cloth. Avoid using anything that may leave fibres on the device, such as paper towels or fluffy cloths.

If ice or snow gets onto your device or into its ports, you should treat it as you would if it were exposed to wet weather conditions. You can read about the steps you should take below.

Wet weather

Wet weather can have an extremely negative impact on devices. Heavy rain can seep inside, short-circuiting internal components, corroding metal parts, damaging ports and causing issues with the display and battery. Submersion in deep puddles, seawater, or floodwater has the added risk of dirt and pollutants entering your device. A device does not have to be submerged in water to be affected by wet weather: moist conditions, such as mist and drizzle, can cause water from the air to condense on and inside your device.

To protect your device in wet weather conditions, you should take steps to keep it dry:

Check your device’s IP rating, water resistance or waterproofing

Before taking your device into a wet environment, check what protection it provides. This information can be found on the device’s product page under the specifications section, in the user guide, or on the manufacturer's website.

• IP, or ingress protection, is a measurement of the level of protection the device provides against solids and liquids getting inside. IP ratings show either two digits or an X and a digit (i.e. IP68, IPX6). The first digit refers to protection from solid matter such as dust and sand, and the second digit refers to protection from liquids. The higher the digit is, the greater the level of protection provided.
• A water-resistant device provides a lower level of protection against exposure to water, such as rainfall and light splashes. The device may not be protected if it’s exposed to water for a longer period or is submerged in water.
• A waterproof device provides a greater level of protection against water, including sustained exposure and submergence.

Please note:

• Refer to the device’s user guide for the exact specifications of its water protection
• The specified protection against water refers to the device when it is brand new, so the level of protection may weaken with use

What to do if your device gets wet

If your device detects that water has entered its ports, it may display a warning and prevent you from charging it or connecting it to other devices.

On an Apple device, you may see a notification that looks like this.

Image courtesy of apple.com

On a Samsung device, you may see a notification that looks like this. 

Image courtesy of samsung.com

If your device displays a liquid warning or has been exposed to water, you should take the following steps:

Step 1. Unplug it from any chargers, cables or accessories and switch it off

To prevent any further damage to the device, immediately turn it off and isolate it from any connected accessories. You should also remove the SIM card and any memory cards from the device, and store them in a secure, dry location.

Step 2. If the device was made wet by dirty water or seawater, rinse it with tap water

Dirty water and seawater can leave debris in your device, and the salt in seawater can cause corrosion to a device’s metal parts even after they have dried. If your device is exposed to dirty water or seawater, rinse the affected area with tap water and dry it thoroughly with a cloth. Do not run the device under the tap, as this can damage the device. Avoid using paper towels and fluffy cloths, as they may leave fibres on the device.

Please note:

• This method also applies if the device is made wet by liquids other than water, such as sugary drinks, tea, and coffee
• Only rinse your device if its level of water resistance protects it from brief contact with water, and don’t continue to rinse the device once the impurities are removed

Step 3. Remove excess liquid

If water has gotten into the charging port, hold your device with the charging port facing down and gently tap it against your free hand. Don’t shake or insert any objects into the device, as this may push water deeper into the device or cause other damage. Water on the outside of the device should be dabbed off with a cloth to prevent water from being pushed into ports and crevices.

Step 4. Allow it to dry out entirely before trying to switch it on

To dry the device completely, both inside and out, leave it to air-dry for at least 24 hours in a well-ventilated area. It should not be heated to speed up drying with a blow dryer, heater, or radiator, as rapid temperature changes may cause damage. You shouldn’t blow on the device, as this may push water further into its components.

Step 5. Don’t place it in uncooked rice

Uncooked rice should not be used to dry a wet device: this is a myth. Although the rice will absorb some water, it won’t efficiently remove it from inside the device, leaving internal components at risk of damage. Rice in direct contact with the device will become wet, potentially causing further damage. Debris from the rice, such as dust and fragments from broken grains, can also become stuck inside the device.

If you want to improve the likelihood that your device dries fully, you can do one of the following:

• Use a fan or dryer without heating to promote air flow around the device—this will encourage the liquid to evaporate
• Place it in an airtight container with a desiccant, such as silica gel, to absorb the water from the air in the container and dry out the device

Step 6. Check your device’s liquid damage indicator

When your device has dried out, check the liquid damage indicator even if there are no signs of water damage. Its location varies by device, but on most smartphones and tablets, it’s in the SIM card slot. If water has gotten inside the device, the indicator will have changed from white or silver to red, pink or purple. If the indicator has changed colour, you may need to send your device for repair.

Left: no damage. Right: damage. Images courtesy of Samsung.com

Please note: liquid damage may invalidate your device’s warranty— please refer to your device’s user manual or warranty documentation for further information.

Final thoughts

Protecting your devices from extreme weather is crucial for their maintenance and overall functionality. Preparing in advance for harsh conditions can reduce the risk of damage. If your device is damaged, taking steps to return it to the right conditions can prevent repairs or replacement. If your device continues to display a warning, shows signs of damage, or you encounter any other issues, you may need to seek further support.