How Long Overheating After Update Usually Lasts



How Long Overheating After Update Usually Lasts

If your phone started overheating after a recent update, the first question most UK users ask is simple: how long is this going to last? AvNexo users from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Edinburgh report this issue after almost every major Android or iOS update. The reassuring truth is that post-update overheating is usually temporary — but the timeline depends on what your phone is actually doing in the background.

This article breaks down realistic timeframes, what’s normal, what’s not, and how UK-specific usage patterns and networks like EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three affect how long overheating continues.

The Short Answer (Realistic Expectations)

  • 24–48 hours: Very common and completely normal
  • 3–5 days: Still normal if heat is gradually reducing
  • 7+ days: Usually not normal — indicates an app, network, or battery issue

AvNexo data shows that over 70% of post-update overheating cases in the UK resolve themselves within three days without any drastic action.

What Your Phone Is Doing After an Update

To understand the timeline, you need to understand what happens immediately after an update finishes installing.

System Rebuilding Phase (First 24 Hours)

In the first day, your phone performs heavy background work:

  • Re-indexing photos, videos, and messages
  • Optimising apps for the new OS version
  • Rebuilding caches and system libraries

This work happens silently. Many AvNexo users in Manchester and Nottingham noticed their phones warming up even while sitting idle on a desk overnight. That’s a clear sign of background optimisation, not a fault.

Expected heat level: Warm to the touch, occasional temperature warnings, faster battery drain.

App Adjustment Phase (Days 2–3)

Once the core system settles, third-party apps become the main variable.

During this phase:

  • Apps update themselves to match the new OS
  • Some apps misbehave until patched
  • Background syncing may spike repeatedly

UK users in London frequently report that overheating appears random during this phase — fine in the morning, warm again by evening. That inconsistency is typical of apps adjusting in the background.

Expected heat level: Occasional warmth during use, fewer warnings, heat reducing day by day.

Network Stabilisation Phase (Days 3–5)

This phase is often overlooked but very relevant in the UK.

After updates, phones frequently:

  • Re-scan for optimal 5G networks
  • Refresh carrier profiles
  • Adjust signal-handling algorithms

In cities like Birmingham, Leeds, or parts of Greater London where 5G coverage is inconsistent, phones on EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three constantly switch between 4G and 5G.

This network “hunting” generates heat even during light usage.

Expected heat level: Warm mainly when using mobile data; cooler on Wi-Fi.

Why Some Phones Take Longer to Cool Down

Not all phones stabilise at the same speed. AvNexo testing highlights several factors that extend overheating duration.

Older Batteries

Batteries degrade over time and handle heat less efficiently.

Phones older than 18–24 months often:

  • Heat up faster after updates
  • Trigger temperature warnings earlier
  • Take longer to stabilise

Users in Bristol and York reported that newer phones cooled down within two days, while older devices took nearly a week.

Heavy App Usage Patterns

If you:

  • Use navigation apps daily
  • Stream video over mobile data
  • Run social media apps constantly in the background

Your phone has less time to “settle” after an update.

Charging Habits

Fast charging and wireless charging slow the cooling process.

AvNexo users in London who continued fast charging while using their phones saw overheating persist twice as long compared to users who charged overnight without touching the device.

UK Environment Factors That Affect Duration

  • Older buildings with thick walls weaken signal
  • Trains and Underground stations force constant reconnection
  • Urban density increases network handovers

These factors mean UK users often experience longer post-update heating than users in areas with wide, consistent coverage.

What Is Normal vs What Is Not

Normal Post-Update Behaviour

  • Phone feels warm during charging
  • Slight warmth during browsing or social media
  • Heat reduces noticeably after a few days
  • No shutdowns or repeated critical warnings

Not Normal (Red Flags)

  • Overheating while idle in a cool room
  • Daily temperature warnings after one week
  • Sudden shutdowns
  • Battery draining extremely fast

If you see these signs, the update may have exposed an underlying hardware issue.

How to Shorten the Overheating Period

Restart Once After Updating

Many users skip this. Restarting clears stuck optimisation processes.

Update All Apps Immediately

App Store / Play Store → Update all

AvNexo users in Manchester reported dramatic improvements within hours of updating apps.

Use Wi-Fi Instead of Mobile Data

This reduces radio heat significantly, especially on unstable 5G.

Temporarily Disable 5G

Settings → Mobile Network → Preferred network → 4G / LTE

This is particularly effective on EE and O2 indoors.

Charge Smarter

  • Avoid fast charging for a few days
  • Remove the case while charging
  • Do not use the phone while charging

Should You Factory Reset?

In most cases: no.

Factory resets are rarely necessary and often done too early. AvNexo data shows that over 80% of users who waited 3–5 days saw overheating resolve without resets.

Consider a reset only if overheating persists beyond two weeks and no app or network cause can be identified.

When Overheating Means Hardware Trouble

Sometimes updates don’t cause problems — they reveal them.

If overheating:

  • Worsens instead of improving
  • Happens during minimal use
  • Appears immediately after unplugging the charger

The likely culprit is battery degradation or a failing thermal sensor.

Conclusion

Overheating after an update is common, expected, and usually temporary. For most UK users, it lasts between 24 hours and 5 days, depending on background optimisation, app behaviour, network conditions, and charging habits.

Understanding this timeline prevents panic and bad decisions. AvNexo users who allow their phones time to settle, update apps, manage networks wisely, and charge carefully almost always see temperatures return to normal — without repairs or resets.

If overheating persists beyond a week under light use, that’s when investigation is justified. Until then, patience and smart habits do more than drastic fixes ever will.

Meta description: Wondering how long phone overheating lasts after an update? Learn realistic UK timelines, causes, and what’s normal versus a real problem.


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