Instagram causing iPhone to overheat iOS 16.4.1

I have the exact same issue.

I have an iPhone 13 Pro Max currently under 16.6 but I had the problem under 16.4 also.

Whenever I start using Instagram my iPhone starts boiling … and it drains the battery extremely fast.

i can use tiktok of whatever other app it doesn’t do it… instagram has an issue within the app and both apple and meta need to seriously consider doing something about it.

Well, some months later from this original post, I updated to the latest IOS and immediately after I started to see my battery drain rapidly ... after some diagnostics to tell me that my battery health wasn't an issue, I looked at power usage and Instagram was running at 86% ... since I didn't know what it was running at before hard to tell if that is normal. That said, while using any other app my phone doesn't get hot, battery doesn't drain quickly ... only when I'm using Instagram ... I reset my phone, I deleted and reinstalled the Instagram app, I updated my iOS to the latest version and still experiencing major drainage and heat when using Instagram.

I tried to connect with Instagram and obviously got nowhere since their Customer Service is non-existant ... my deduction says that this is a direct result of the updated iOS that exposes a power usuage issue for Instagram as it was working without any issue until I ran the update.

This is clearly not the first time there have been power management issues with Instagram as the community history illustrates ... it's very frustrating though and would really like to get a viable resolution to this ... even if that means that Apple is aware and working on a fix ... because I used to only have to charge my phone once a day and now I'm constantly having to plug in. (I'm on a 13 Pro Max).

If you are in Instagram, is the camera on, even if you are not using it (check for a green dot in the status bar)? The camera uses a huge amount of energy.

But whatever the reason, the problem is in the app. The only things that use any significant power on any smartphone are apps and cellular data, so if you think the phone is using too much energy you need to find the app that is using it. Cellular data energy usage depends on signal strength; 1 bar uses 10 times as much energy as 4 bars.

Some activities such as charging or a lot of computational activity, generate heat. Some warmth is to be anticipated.* Read this article about keeping your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch within acceptable operating temperatures - If your iPhone or iPad gets too hot or too cold - Apple Support

If you think there is a problem with a device, get Apple to inspect it. Go to this page to find your nearest Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) or Apple Authorized Distributor (AAD) --> Find Locations

How to make a Genius Bar appointment

1. Go to Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

2. Go to "Get hardware help".

3. Select your hardware and continue selecting options requiring replacing parts until you see "Bring in for Repair"

4. Sign in with your Apple ID

*"Your iPhone might get slightly warmer while it charges." - from: How to use your MagSafe Battery Pack - Apple Support

Me too and i have the 12 mini. My phone keeps getting hot and the battery is draining super fast when i’m on Instagram. Youtube does it here and there but i dont understand how the battery works so fine when the phone is new UNTIL the updates, or new phone release, all the old features & phones go bad.

Hello guys, I have the same problem. I recently changed my phone. I used the iPhone 12 PRO and switched to the 15 PRO. UNFORTUNATELY they both have the same problem. 5 minutes using Instagram is enough to overheat. I've tested other apps like YouTube and Facebook videos. I stay in both 1h watching videos and the cell phone gets cold, however, when I use Instagram in 5 minutes the overheating already happens. I don't know what else to do because I've done everything to solve the problem.

Same. I've switched from iphone pro 14 to 15 pro. The minute i open Instagram, the phone gets dangerously hot and the battery starts draining. I've also visited the genius bar with my iPhone 14 pro where i was told to wipe it clean and set as a new one, which i did when i got the 15. It didn't help. In fact, my iPad pro 2018 has the same overheating issue. Going to the Apple store tomorrow. It started 2 weeks ago out of the blue btw.

Me too had a 12 Pro Max all of a sudden 3 weeks before 15 came out this exact problem. Switched to husband’s old phone another 12 pro max same issue! Bout a 15 pro Max same issue. I go on instagram for 2 minutes to send a message to someone and HOT! I tried allll the tricks and still Draining and heating up in 2 mins on the app! Help!!

I tell you it won't help at all. They don't know what that is. This isn't Apple's problem, it's the Instagram app's problem. What Instagram needs to do, or rather the goal, is to create an update to fix the problem. Unfortunately, all we can do is wait.

Try to delete the apps that drain your battery and re-download them using a stable internet connection such as wifi. 4g/5g could sometimes have issues and download your apps with bugs. It worked for me.

This is going to be counter intuitive - I switched my cellular setting from 5G AUTO to only 5G and it stopped overheating. For me it only over heated using Instagram App.

i will still bring it to the Apple store in case the cellular hardware is faulty.

i have a iphone 14 pro

You were actually right.

I reinstalled Instagram and it solved the issue.

thank you for your help.