Look after! Your iPhone can handle snow less well than you think

The weather has taken a turn for the worse lately and it is now snowing regularly. But how well can your iPhone actually handle the snow?

Look after! Your iPhone can handle snow less well than you think

Apple would like you to believe that the iPhone is an indestructible piece of technology. And the latest iPhone is also quite sturdy with an IP rating that makes your device water and dust resistant.

Yet a winter walk in the snow can pose more risks than you might initially expect. Are you going into the snow with your iPhone? Then keep these things in mind.

1. Pay attention to the temperature

The temperature is the first problem. Lithium-ion batteries perform less well in the cold. You will then notice that your iPhone is empty a little faster than normal.

According to Apple, you can use the iPhone in an environment with a temperature between -20 and 45 degrees. But often the perceived temperature is a bit lower than the temperature that you can read in, for example, the Weather app. So keep that in mind too. It is best not to leave your iPhone in the car. The temperature in a parked car can be lower than the temperatures indicated above.

If your smartphone gets too cold, certain functions may be temporarily disabled. In extreme circumstances, your iPhone can even be temporarily disabled. It is therefore wise to keep your iPhone in your pocket as much as possible. This allows your body heat to keep the iPhone warm enough.

2. Melted snow

Also take melted snow into account. The iPhone is water resistant, but if you drop the iPhone in the snow, snow can get into the charging port of your smartphone. Then shake off the snow as best you can after picking up the iPhone. When you get back inside, you should let the iPhone dry thoroughly before hanging it back on the charger.

Do you see the message ‘Liquid detected in USB-C connector’? Then you should let the iPhone dry for at least 30 minutes before attempting to charge it with the cable. But of course you can use a MagSafe charger.

If the message still appears after 30 minutes, you should place the iPhone in a dry room with some airflow for a little longer. It can take up to 24 hours for the iPhone to dry completely.

3. From cold to warm

Then there is condensation. When you’ve been filming outside in the cold for a while and go back inside where it’s nice and warm, moisture from the air can deposit as a thin layer of water on cold surfaces like your iPhone.

Therefore, allow your iPhone to acclimatize slowly when you walk inside. It is better to put your device away in a warm place and allow it to warm up to room temperature when you get back inside. An insulating cover can also help.

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