Heatwave phone fixes are causing costly damage in Europe

Repair specialists in the UK and across Europe say a heatwave-era mistake is sending a new wave of damaged phones and tablets into service centers: people are trying to cool overheated devices by putting them in a fridge or freezer.

According to the source, that quick fix often ends in expensive repairs. Jamie Farnell, who owns a repair center, said he has received many devices in recent weeks with moisture damage caused by water getting inside the casing after sudden temperature changes. During the June heatwave, his workshop also received an iPad with a swollen lithium battery that later exploded.

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The problem is condensation. When a hot device is placed in a refrigerator or freezer, the air inside the enclosure cools rapidly and forms water droplets. Once the phone is brought back into a warm room, condensation can intensify further. The result can be corrosion, short circuits, and total electronics failure.

Technicians also warn that rapid cooling can damage the display, adhesive, seals, and battery. Farnell said the advice belongs in the same category as the old tip to dry a wet phone in rice: it rarely helps, and rice dust or starch can further clog ports and speakers.

The safer approach is simpler: turn the overheated phone off, remove its case, and let it cool down naturally in a cool place.