My iPhone 16 Pro Max overheats while using the Camera app

I take that back. A few days later the issue is back, worse than ever and the overheating problem is as bad as on my original iPhone 16 Pro. Either I got a second dud device or this is software. Entire device slow, freezing, unresponsive, crashing, very hot and unusable.

Getting hot while charging is completely normal.

Likewise, speaking on the phone, particularly on a 5G network takes a lot of power, and even more under low signal conditions.

Both are completely normal.

So I’m guessing there’s really been no fix??? I’ve had the 16 Pro for a couple weeks now and while it’s stopped overheating on most apps, I can’t use the camera or camera related apps like say…CapCut or any app that had to upload something for more than a couple minutes before the phone overheats like crazy. After 3-5 minutes I can barely hold the phone and the functionality is nil and I literally have to set it in front of a fan to cool off in order to use it. I’ve scoured the interwebzdotcom and haven’t found a fix yet.

I had the same issue with my iPhone 16 pro max getting hot and also my camera button was not responsive.

then I found out that after turning on apple intelligence in settings you have to long press the side button to activate apple intelligence. After that the camera button was working great and my phone was no longer getting hot.

I don’t know why apple does not inform everyone about this. They should include this in the instructions on how to turn on apple intelligence. There is nothing wrong with iPhone 16. Just have to know how to use it. Apple take note of this.

I just bought mine iphone 16 pro max 3 days ago, i barely used it since it's super new, it has been heating up, now my new worry is even if i replace it, what if the next phone heats up as well. I am so annoyed!

Has anyone in this forum figured out why it’s overheating and what is Apple doing about it? I literally got my phone yesterday. This sucks they should’ve fixed it before they let it go out and it’s been out for a good bit now.

I have had my iPhone 16 pro for over 2 months now and it still overheats doing the most simple task. I just took 2 quick photos of my dog and it instantly got hot to the touch and started lagging very bad. Is it that normal?

I actually upgraded for the camera and it overheats every time I’m taking pictures. I can take 5 pictures with no “live” no “raw” no extra’s running and it gets hot to touch. My phone actually does say it needs to cool down. Seems to be a common issue for mine. I have had my phone since it first came out so a few months now. There is definitely an issue going on with this phone and overheating. Have never had this issue with previous phones.

How do you know it’s overheating if it doesn’t shut down? Are you measuring it with a thermometer? If so, how hot is it?

Are you comparing it to your previous models? If so, did you previous models have AI, did they have faster processors that require more battery power so both the battery and processor getter warmer (or hotter if you prefer)?

New iPhone 16 pro max and I have the same exact issue. Overheats constantly to the point of being uncomfortable in my hands. My 13 only overheated toward the end of its life. Apple needs to address this!

Apple iOS 18.2 public release is rolling out around the world in many (all?) countries today. I watched a video from someone in Australia an hour ago and he’d installed the update and reported that it resolved many of his issues. The article below explains how to update. The release time in your area may not have occurred yet. You will just need to check the update option in your iPhone.

Update iOS on iPhone

Same issues-quickly heats up and screen freezes. Additionally, having issues with screen stability, at times the screen will slide to the right or left, almost have to balance the phone to get the screen where it belongs

mine is constantly overheating; but what's really making me crazy is that the camera app keeps opening. i close it, put the phone down and a few minutes later, it's open again. there's like an endless loop with the camera app. i have an genius bar appointment and will see, but am very annoyed and disappointed.

iPhone 16 pro here, just bought in Italy where it’s winter now. As a consequence of that, no major issues in terms of temperatures both indoor due to low brightness and outdoor due to low atmospheric temp despite the very high brightness.

The HUGE problems arrived when I traveled to Brazil, where it’s summer now. Basically right now I’m writing this post in the shadow of the garden, 28 degrees outside, no background processes and it’s definitely hot. Way way warmer than my previous iPhone 14 Pro.

Now, I understand the big power of the processor but I’m extremely surprised that none of the most renowned reviewers (MKBHD first) never mentioned the issue with high temperature and consequently low battery performance. They’ve actually highlighted the improved temperature management which I cannot feel at all. In my humble opinion the 16 pro is far worse than my previous 14 pro and wife’s 15 pro.