Why Software Updates Can Increase Phone Heat



Why Software Updates Can Increase Phone Heat

If your phone suddenly feels warmer after a software update, you’re not alone. AvNexo users across the UK — including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Edinburgh — regularly notice increased heat, faster battery drain, or even temperature warnings shortly after updating. This happens on both Android and iPhone, and despite what many people assume, it’s usually not a coincidence and not immediate hardware damage.

Software updates fundamentally change how your phone operates internally. Understanding what actually happens after an update explains why extra heat is so common.

What Software Updates Really Do to Your Phone

Updates are not simple patches. They restructure large parts of the system:

  • Core system files are replaced or rebuilt
  • Apps are re-optimised for the new OS version
  • Battery and performance algorithms are recalibrated
  • Network and radio behaviour may change

All of this requires sustained processor activity, which naturally generates heat.

Post-Update Background Processing

One of the biggest reasons for heat after updates is invisible background work.

After updating, phones begin:

  • Re-indexing photos, videos, and messages
  • Rebuilding app caches
  • Recompiling apps for the new system

This can continue for hours or days. AvNexo users in Nottingham and York reported phones warming up even while sitting idle overnight — a classic sign of background optimisation.

Apps Lag Behind OS Updates

Not all apps are ready the moment a new OS version launches.

Some apps:

  • Use outdated APIs
  • Fail to sleep properly in the background
  • Loop background tasks continuously

This creates constant CPU wake-ups and network usage.

UK users in London found that a single unoptimised app — often social media, banking, or navigation — was responsible for most post-update heating.

Network Behaviour Changes After Updates

Updates often modify how phones interact with mobile networks, which directly affects heat generation.

Aggressive 5G Scanning

After updates, phones may repeatedly scan for the best 5G signal. In cities like Birmingham or Sheffield, where 5G coverage varies street by street, this causes constant switching.

Phones on EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three all exhibit this behaviour when signal quality fluctuates.

Radio activity is one of the biggest hidden sources of heat.

Carrier Profile Refresh

Software updates refresh carrier settings in the background. During this phase, phones may reconnect to the network frequently, especially indoors or on trains.

Battery Recalibration and Charging Heat

Updates often reset battery calibration data.

Until the system relearns your usage patterns:

  • Charging may generate more heat than usual
  • Battery percentage may behave unpredictably
  • Thermal thresholds may trigger earlier

AvNexo users in Bristol noticed charging-related heat spikes for several days after updating, which gradually disappeared.

New Features and Visual Effects

Updates frequently introduce:

  • New animations
  • Background services
  • Enhanced security checks

Each addition adds a small load. On newer phones this is negligible, but on devices one or two years old, these small loads add up.

Permissions Quietly Reset

Some updates re-enable permissions:

  • Location access
  • Bluetooth scanning
  • Background data syncing

Apps that were previously quiet may suddenly wake frequently, increasing heat.

Why Heat Is Worse in Certain UK Environments

  • Older buildings with thick walls weaken signal
  • Trains and underground stations force constant reconnection
  • Urban areas with dense networks cause frequent handovers

AvNexo users in London Underground zones reported noticeable heating even during light use immediately after updates.

How Long Update-Related Heating Should Last

Based on UK user data:

  • First 24–48 hours: Very common and expected
  • 3–5 days: Normal if improving
  • More than 7 days: Usually indicates an app or network issue

If heat persists beyond a week during light use, further investigation is needed.

What You Should Do (and Not Do)

Do This

  • Restart the phone after updating
  • Update all apps immediately
  • Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data when possible
  • Temporarily disable 5G in unstable areas
  • Avoid fast charging while the system settles

Do Not Do This

  • Do not factory reset immediately
  • Do not install “cooling” apps
  • Do not ignore repeated temperature warnings

When Heat Indicates a Deeper Problem

Software updates can expose existing hardware weaknesses:

  • Aging batteries
  • Faulty thermal sensors
  • Internal damage from previous overheating

If your phone overheats in cool environments with minimal use, the update may have revealed an underlying issue.

Conclusion

Software updates increase phone heat because they force the system to rebuild, re-optimise, recalibrate, and adapt — all of which requires sustained processing and network activity.

This behaviour is normal, temporary, and widely observed among UK users on EE, O2, Vodafone, and Three. Understanding this prevents unnecessary panic and poor decisions.

AvNexo users who recognise update-related heating for what it is — a transitional phase — avoid needless repairs, protect battery health, and let their devices stabilise properly.

Meta description: Software updates making your phone hotter? Learn the real reasons, UK user experiences, and what to do when updates increase phone heat.


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