Anyone with an Android or iPhone device would be wise to follow new advice over the next 48 hours.08:39, 25 May 2026Updated 08:45, 25 May 2026The UK is currently in the middle of a rare May heatwave, and whilst that's great news for topping up the tap and getting the BBQ fired up, it can be terrible for electronic devices, including smartphones.‌When these popular gadgets get too hot under the collar, they can suffer from a wide range of issues, including reduced battery life and even total shutdown.‌"If your device exceeds a certain temperature threshold, it will present a temperature warning screen," Apple explained.‌This alert reads, "Temperature! iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it."The damage can even be permanent, with Apple also warning that high ambient temperatures are among the greatest threats to long-term battery health.With the hot weather expected to continue for the rest of the week - and some areas seeing temperatures rise above 34 degrees during the next 48 hours - the team Uswitch.com has issued some important advice that's well worth following.‌Some simple tips include keeping phones out of direct sunlight and not leaving them exposed in hot cars."Direct sunlight and hot cars are a smartphone's worst enemies," Uswitch explained."A device left on a sunny dashboard or windowsill can hit dangerous temperatures within minutes. When you're outside, keep your phone in a bag or shaded pocket rather than leaving it exposed."‌READ MORE: UK's 'worst' broadband confirmed with popular provider coming bottom of the listOnly charging during the cooler times of the day can also help, as refilling the battery can generate its own heat and push temperatures to dangerous levels.Turning down the screen brightness and switching off settings that are using a lot of power will also help to reduce heat.One final tip is to remove the case and give the phone space to breathe.‌"Thick silicone or leather cases are designed to protect your phone, but they also trap heat," Uswitch added."Removing the case on the hottest days gives your device a little extra ventilation – just be careful where you set it down without that protection."All of this advice will help keep things safe and cut down on the risks of hot phones.‌"Small changes make a big difference. Removing your case, dimming the screen and keeping your phone out of direct sunlight are all easy wins," said Simrat Sharma, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com."Most people don't think twice about leaving their phone on a sunny table all afternoon, snapping away on the camera, or keeping it in a tight pocket all day – but those habits can do real, lasting damage to the battery.“The risk rises quickly once temperatures hit 30°C, and your phone is sitting in direct sunlight.Article continues below“If your device starts to feel uncomfortably warm to the touch, the best thing you can do is switch it off and leave it somewhere cool for a few minutes. If your phone is regularly overheating even when it's not hot outside, it may be worth getting it checked out."