iPhone winter warning as temperatures drop this week – and it could wreak havoc for your battery

EXTREME weather can cause problems for your iPhone - whether things heat up or there's a big chill.

At the moment, there's plenty of the latter as the winter freeze truly bites.

In the UK there's already been snow and ice, while in parts of the US a brutal winter storm has hit with blizzard conditions.

Leaving your iPhone in cold conditions can seriously affect the battery, so don't be surprised if you notice it power down a lot faster than usual.

This means it means your iPhone's battery can't function properly anymore.

As a result, your iPhone may slow down too because the battery can't keep up with the high performance levels it usually achieves.

In very extreme situations, your iPhone can turn off entirely.

Fortunately, all of this is temporary and not a sign of lasting damage.

"Using an iOS or iPadOS device in very cold conditions outside of its operating range might temporarily shorten battery life and could cause your device to turn off," Apple says.

"Battery life will return to normal when you bring your device back to higher ambient temperatures."

That's in contrast to extreme heat, which can permanently shorten battery life on your iPhone.

Apple recommends that your iPhone should be used in ambient temperatures no lower than 32F/0C.

And it shouldn't be stored where the temperature is lower than -20C / -4F.

Warm carefully

The most obvious way to keep things running smoothly is by warming your iPhone up - though of course you should be careful about how you do this.

You must never apply direct heat to your iPhone.

Apple warns that an "external heat source" should never be used on your iPhone, no matter if it's cold or even wet.

Instead Apple simply recommends that you "move it to a warmer place".

For instance, that could simply mean bringing it inside if you're outdoors – or placing it in your pocket.

But never apply heat sources – like hair-dryers or heaters – directly onto your iPhone or you could seriously damage it.

Instead just move it to a warmer area and be patient.