Living in Illinois, we all know how to survive cold temperatures, but did you know that extreme cold can severely damage your phone?

Effects of Extreme Cold on Smart Phones

My key to surviving bitterly cold temps each winter in Illinois is simple; I don't go out in it unless absolutely necessary. While staying inside and hibernating in a blanket fort is the safest thing to do in extreme cold, sometimes we have to go out, and we need to be prepared.

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We all know to dress in layers and have a stocked emergency kit in our vehicles with blankets and snacks for when temps dip below zero, but have you ever taken measures to protect your phone, the one thing you carry at all times?

Most of us know extreme heat is dangerous for our smartphones, but extreme cold can be just as damaging according to a Batteries Plus article.

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Basically, extreme cold can significantly impact your phone's performance, leading to unexpected shutdowns, reduced battery life, and sluggish touchscreens, but leaving it in the cold isn't the worst thing you can do to your phone during the winter...charging it is.

Please allow me to explain.

According to Batteries Plus;

Charging lithium-ion batteries at sub-freezing temperatures causes a buildup of lithium on the battery's anode known at lithium plating. The accumulation of lithium plating can permanently degrade your battery's capacity. Because of this, you should never attempt to charge your phone in an environment that is colder than 32℉.

Protecting Phone Performance in Extreme Cold

If you know you are going to be spending extended time in freezing temperatures and you have to bring your phone with you, here are some important things to do and remember:

  • Keep Your Phone Warm - Store your phone in a pocket that's close to your body so your body heat can help maintain its temperature. NEVER leave it in a cold, parked car.
  • Monitor Battery Health - The cold will cause your battery to drain faster, so make sure it's fully charged before you bring it outside.
  • Adjust Phone Settings - To conserve battery life, close all unnecessary apps, lower your screen brightness and turn on your battery saver mode if possible.
  • Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes - (This is the most important thing!) If your phone battery dies and your phone shuts down in the cold, GRADUALLY warm it up before plugging it into a charger. Rapid shifts from cold to warm can cause condensation inside the phone which is never a good thing.

Remember, while it's tempting to charge your phone immediately after coming in from the cold, DON'T do it. Patience is key.

12 Things You SHOULD and SHOULDN'T Do When It's Below Zero in Illinois

LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

Stacker consulted 2021 data from the NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) to illustrate the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and all-time highest 24-hour snowfall.

Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.

Gallery Credit: Anuradha Varanasi

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