Which cases are best for iPhone in extreme cold weather?

Question

Which cases are best for iPhone in extreme cold weather?

I live in Siberia and it routinely gets down to -40 here during winter, which is about 8 months long. Our iPhones die within minutes of being outside. We have tried multiple cases such as the Lifeproof and Otter Box ones but they don’t seem to work too well for heat retention in this environment. What cases are recommended? We are using iPhone 5s right now, with plans to upgrade to 8 or X within the next year. I have also used a portable battery to keep the iPhone battery charged but the phone still cuts off. I need to have it out for map and GPS at times when walking through the city. We also make fast transitions from outdoors to indoors or walking to public transportation. Any advice would be appreciated.

iPhone 5s, iOS 11.2

Posted on Dec 4, 2017 5:19 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 4, 2017 1:05 PM in response to JimmyCMPIT

People here use iPhones all the time in this weather. The only problem is them shutting off and the battery dying faster, both due to the cold. I know there are cases and sleeves specifically for this situation such as insulated ones and active heating ones. My question wasn't about design specifications, jail breaking, etc. It was simply what case is best for the environment. Now I understand if you lack the knowledge to answer that question but please don't flood my post with sarcasm and information not related to my question.

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Answer 2

JimmyCMPIT

Level 7

29,306 points

Dec 4, 2017 5:25 AM in response to Cyberknight13

Apple specifics the operating temps for their device and the vast majority of cases are designed to protect the device, in order to do that they need to disperse heat that might cause damage to the device.

Keeping iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch within acceptable operating temperatures - Apple Support

if you need GPS in a -40 c/f you may look into another solution. The iPhone is not designed to function as a GPS in that environment; case or not.

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Answer 3

Dec 4, 2017 7:57 AM in response to JimmyCMPIT

Well being that heat isn’t really an issue in this environment, there’s no need for heat dispersal. using iPhones in this environment is a very common problem for a lot of people. I know there are solutions to keep the phone within normal operating parameters, with regards to temperature, and my question is which cases can do this in -40 climates not which alternative solution for a GPS should I find. Thank you for your response but it was not helpful at all.

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Answer 4

Dec 4, 2017 8:00 AM in response to Cyberknight13

I guess I should point out that I am certified as an IT Technician and I understand electronics and electronic devices. I build and repair computers, appliances and iDevices. I am not a noob with zero knowledge. I ask this question because there are no clear answers, many people have this problem and I’m hoping someone with intimate Apple device knowledge can provide an answer.

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Answer 5

Dec 4, 2017 8:57 AM in response to Cyberknight13

I live in Canada and my phone stops responding in cold weather. I never take it out. That cold, it'll stop responding eventually, and then shut down. Getting it back to room temperature will take at least 30 minutes minimum, so forget about using it. I've been able to use it when it's -15 to -20 outside, but below that, you'll start to have problems. I once had an Android and when it was -35 outside I took the phone out to shoot a text to someone. Right after that happened, my phone shut down. I was not able to use it again for 40 minutes. My phone was fine afterwards by the way.

No case can do this. Otterbox and Lifeproof cases won't be able to help on this one. There are no clear answers because people expect the phone to work no matter how cold it gets. This is not how it works.

Jimmy is right. You might need to look for something that can withstand that kind of weather.

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Answer 6

JimmyCMPIT

Level 7

29,306 points

Dec 4, 2017 9:39 AM in response to Cyberknight13

Apple has designed the phone to work within a range of heat and cold but -40 c/f is not one of them; not even close. So heat dispersal it not your issue, but extreme temperature still is. If you were in an igloo attempting to cool an OC'ed CPU 2 or 3 GHz. past it's clock speed you might get stability; but IC chips and other components on logic boards when exposed to extreme cold will stop working. See the unhelpful link I sent from Apple which describe the limits and conditions of the environment necessary for the device to either work or shut down to try and avoid damaging itself; these are not suggestions, they are built into the SDK. The only way around them is to go to another forum and ask how to make your device work outside of the conditions set by the developers and you are not permitted to do that here.

I recommend you go to developer.apple.com and add the suggestion they need an iOS device to work in conditions they were never designed to operate anywhere near and see if they respond. If you are looking for someone with "intimate knowledge" of Apple devices they probably have more years than I do; at least collectively.

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Answer 7

Dec 4, 2017 1:11 PM in response to Cyberknight13

Cyberknight13 wrote:

Now I understand if you lack the knowledge to answer that question but please don't flood my post with sarcasm and information not related to my question.

No one is being sarcastic. You're asking how to use an iPhone in a way that it wasn't designed to work. That's all anyone has tried to explain to you.

I suggest that you visit the websites of these cases and sleeves that you know of and review the particulars. Contact the manufacturers. If the cases are available on Amazon, read the reviews.

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Answer 8

Dec 4, 2017 1:30 PM in response to Cyberknight13

So the best solution I have found on the internet thus far is a water/snow proof case and a snug thermal sleeve for when its not out in your hand in use. The Optimal case is still being developed but will be the solution to this problem once completed. If anyone has a better case or case & sleeve combo idea please let me know.

Here is the Optimal link:

http://www.amited.com/optimal/

This seems to be what most Siberians use, Salt cases made from NASA thermal blankets:

https://saltcases.com/collections/iphone-cases

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Answer 9

Dec 4, 2017 1:31 PM in response to Cyberknight13

The specified operating range for iPhones (and most other handheld devices, regardless of manufacturer) is 0ºC to 35ºC. And the reason is that is the range at which a Lithium chemistry battery can operate. This is why most winter clothing has inside pockets to keep your phone against your body. You can take it out for a few minutes to use, but most of the time it must be kept warm.

If you live in an environment where it routinely gets to -40º (C or F, as they are the same) you need something very specialized. You probably know more about heated cases (which is what you really need) than we do, as you live in such a climate. Even an insulated case won't really help.

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Answer 10

Dec 4, 2017 1:35 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Thank you Lawrence. It seems most people here use the Salt cases or something similar. I'm pretty excited about the Optimal case in development as well. I'm keeping an eye out for other options and was hoping people here had some. You are probably right though, this isn't something most iPhone users on here deal with. I know glass will help retain the heat of the components better so the 8 and X will probably do better than the older models with metal as metal draws heat away from the components. The problem obviously being even the glass may not retain enough heat and it can become very brittle in this cold. I think I will try the Salt case until the Optimal comes out. Otherwise I might go back to a waterproof case and an insulated sleeve. Even having the phone inside the pocket here doesn't seem to help much.

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