Apple Releases iOS 17 Update To Fix Overheating Issues Faced By iPhone 15 Pro Users

Just weeks after the launch of the new iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, Apple has issued a patch to address the significant overheating issues faced by some users with their devices. 

Cupertino released the iOS 17.0.3 update for the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max on Wednesday, claiming to provide security updates and bug fixes for the issue that was causing 15 Pro models to heat up. 

The latest update comes just a week after Apple released iOS 17.0.2. The company also released a new iPadOS 17.0.3 for the iPads. 

Apple Patches Heating Issue On iPhone 15 Pro With New iOS 17 Update 

All was well and good for Apple after announcing the new iPhones but things started to unravel fast after the smartphones reached customers’ hands. Shortly after launch, users started complaining that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max were getting too warm to handle. In some cases, the phones got so hot they either stopped charging when plugged in or shut down to cool the temperature. Some users said their phones could only be used with a back cover on.   

Tech reviewers pointed out several factors that could be causing the issue. Some speculated that Apple’s new titanium and aluminum design for the higher-end models was incapable of dissipating heat as effectively as the previous generations’ stainless steel-bodied phones. Others cited that the overheating was likely caused by compromises made by the tech giant in its thermal system design, suggesting that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max could only cool down by lowering the processing power of the A17 Pro chipset. 

Late in September, Apple said it had “identified a few conditions” that were causing iPhones to run warmer than expected. In a statement given to the media, the company said the devices may feel warmer during the first few days after setting up or restoring because of increased background activity. 

Heat Dissipation Caused By Third-Party Apps Overloading The System, Says Apple

Apple explained that some recent updates to third-party apps had also been overloading the A17 Pro chip, leading to issues with heat dissipation. The apps affecting the iPhone 15’s performance included Instagram, Uber, and Asphalt 9. The company is working with the app developers to fix the thermal throttling issues. 

Apple denied allegations that the titanium frame of the iPhone 15 Pro series was at fault for the overheating problems, clarifying that the metal provides much better heat dissipation than the stainless steel frames used in previous generation iPhones. 

When it comes to charging, Apple explained that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will support any USB-C adapter that is compliant with the USB Power Delivery standard. However, the devices are programmed to cap charging at a maximum of 27 W, and if customers use 20 W or higher adapters, the phones could get temporarily warmer. 

Back then, Apple had promised to fix the issue with an update to iOS 17, which came in the form of 17.0.3. The latest update also addresses a kernel vulnerability that would have allowed attackers to gain “elevated privileges” on iPhone XS and later. Apple said it was aware of cases where the security flaw was exploited on devices running versions of iOS before 16.6. 

Apple has also released the second beta for the upcoming iOS 17.1 update that is slated for launch in Q1 2024.