Since the recent launch of the iPhone 15 series, users, especially those with the premium iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models, have been encountering overheating problems. This issue seems to occur during activities like playing video games, charging, and using social media platforms, causing the affected devices to reach temperatures of up to 116 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tech Influencers Share Their Experiences with iPhone 15 pro
Renowned tech influencer Marques Brownlee recently shared his experience with iPhone 15 Pro overheating. He mentioned that he encountered this issue while listening to music and browsing through Instagram. Brownlee described the overheating as a brief but intense period where the phone became very hot and rapidly drained around 5% of its battery before returning to normal.
Is Instagram the Culprit?
Tech reviewer @iPhonedo also attributed the overheating problem to Instagram in a YouTube video. Notably, he mentioned that this issue began when he updated his iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and iPad Pro to iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. While experiencing overheating, @iPhonedo observed a significant battery drain rate, with each device losing 1 percentage point per minute while using Instagram. He emphasized that this issue seemed to be exclusive to the Instagram app. Despite relying on Instagram for work, he found that activating Low Power Mode while using the app offered some relief from the heat, albeit with continued battery drain.
Instagram’s Lack of Response
@iPhonedo expressed frustration in his attempts to bring this issue to Instagram’s attention, emphasizing that this problem is not rooted in the iPhone but is specific to the Instagram app.
A Connection to Meta’s Battery Drain Controversy
The peculiar situation with Instagram’s battery drain issue may have ties to a controversy involving Meta, the parent company of Instagram. Earlier this year, a former Facebook employee named George Hayward, who worked as a data scientist, claimed that Facebook and the Messenger app intentionally drain phone batteries as part of a process referred to as “negative testing.” According to Hayward, this process is used to assess app features or image-loading behavior. However, he alleged that he was terminated by Meta after refusing to participate in “negative testing.” Hayward’s legal representation argued that such battery draining could pose risks for users, especially in critical situations.
Testing Faruk’s Theory
If you’re experiencing overheating issues on your iPhone 15 Pro series and suspect Instagram may be the cause, you can test this theory by temporarily deleting the Instagram app for a few days. If the overheating persists even after removing Instagram, the social media platform might not be the culprit. You can then reinstall and continue using the app. Additionally, trying Low Power Mode while using Instagram could provide some relief from the heat.
Enabling Low Power Mode
To enable Low Power Mode, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Battery.
- Toggle on Low Power Mode.
This mode prevents background app updates, potentially helping with battery conservation and reducing heat generation.
By exploring these steps, users can gain insights into whether Instagram is indeed responsible for the iPhone 15 Pro series overheating issue and take appropriate actions to mitigate it.