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iPhone 5 cold shut down / crash

I've been skiing with my iPhone 5 for the last few weeks, and have had a problem with the iPhone shutting down in cold conditions. If the ambient temperature is below about freezing, the iPhone 5 will go from about 50-60% battery indication to shutting down and showing the "dead battery" logo when you try and turn it back on. If I warm it up in an inner pocket it will restart and show 50% battery again. I generally keep my iPhone in an outer chest pocket designed for cell phones on my ski jacket. I've moved the phone to an inner pocket and problem goes away. But that causes problems with getting to the phone for calls/etc, and also is an issue in terms of moisture. I skied for years with prior iPhone models including the iPhone 1-4 models, and never had this problem. I suspect it is something to do with the mostly metal case. I've done a full software restore and didn't change this. I'm planning to take it to the Apple Store next time I'm near one and see what they say.

Posted on Dec 28, 2012 8:05 AM

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52 replies

Mar 3, 2014 12:30 AM in response to Jim Little

I've been having the same problem with the iPhone 5. I don't remember having the issue with the 4S.

It doesn't have to be below 0º (32º), even a couple a degrees above 0º causes the phone to shut down and show zero battery. I have had the problem while skiing (using phone to take pictures, as monitor for action cam, texting) and while running (run tacking apps). Seeing as some of these temepratures aren't that cold I was thinking it may have something to do with moisture and the temperture differential between the phone the envirnment you get when air temperature is lower.

Please Apple, see what you can do, it kinda takes a bite out of what we like to use our iPhones for.

Mar 10, 2014 10:41 AM in response to Jim Little

I've been having the same issue! The phone works well over 10,000

Feet... That's not the issue. I'm now noticing even on 35-40 degree F weather, with 66% battery life, my iPhone 5 is shutting off... It did this to me on the ski slopes, at 25 degrees F, above 10,000 feet... And I'm way below that at 35-45 degrees, and it's still shutting off randomly. This is recent too... Never did it before I upgraded to like iOS 7.0.1? Not exactly sure...

Mar 10, 2014 11:03 AM in response to Issyleex

The solution is to replace your battery. Looks like this thread is getting long enough that people are missing the solution, which is a couple pages back. I replaced my battery myself and my phone has been working great ever since. I don't think the iphone 5 batteries last more than a year. Here's the link if you want to do it yourself:


http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPhone+5+Battery+Replacement/10587


Or you can bring it to an apple repair center and pay them $80 and they'll not only give you a new battery, but they'll also wipe your phone so that you have to back it up and restore it and then enter all your passwords again and setup your google calendar again, which is a pain in the ***. The advantage to Apple doing it is that you preserve your warranty. But if you don't care about that (I didn't), and if you feel comfortable taking your phone apart, it's not difficult to do.


You can also optimize your usage by looking at this article and adjusting your settings:


http://www.payetteforward.com/why-does-my-iphone-battery-die-so-fast-heres-the-r eal-fix/

Mar 20, 2014 10:21 AM in response to Jim Little

Puting a hand warmer pack into your pocket with your phone will also work. It's not great, and it's dumb that we have to do this, but it's a fix if you need it while outdoors.


A friend of mine has the NEXUS 5 and he's never had this problem. I'm considering getting that as my next phone just because I'm so sick of this thing dying every day in the winter.

Jan 16, 2015 6:09 AM in response to Jim Little

I know I am late to the party but this is a software issue that apple implemented. I never had the issue on my iPhone 3,3g,or 4, nor on my 4s until I upgraded the software. I have found a work around if you only need data off your phone or if you want to take pictures in winter, turn on airplane mode. This has allowed me to listen to music and take pictures while skiing or hiking in the dead of winter. I am still waiting on apple to reverse their change or even acknowledge the issue.


I've been out on mountain tops in freezing temps trying to let family know I'm delayed only to have the phone turn off.


Apple if you're listening this is dangerous, now that everyone is so dependent and many use as a life line.

iPhone 5 cold shut down / crash

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