Check the operating temperature first when your phone battery drains fast in the cold

Both say battery life can shrink for a while when it is colder than that.

What temperature are smartphones designed to work in?

Apple's support article says iPhone and iPad are designed for ambient temperatures of 0 to 35°C. The same article lists a separate storage range of -20 to 45°C. Samsung's Galaxy battery care page also gives 0 to 35°C as the right operating temperature for Galaxy devices.

Apple's battery page mentions another range, 16 to 22°C. That is the ideal comfort zone, while 0 to 35°C is the range the devices are designed to operate in. A commute below freezing, a ski slope or a winter campsite falls outside the operating range both companies give.

Does battery life lost to the cold come back?

Apple says the shorter battery life you notice in very cold conditions is temporary, and performance returns once the battery is back in its normal temperature range. In cold beyond the operating range, battery life can drop enough for the device to shut off, and performance can be affected too.

Heat is treated differently. According to Apple, exposure to temperatures above 35°C can permanently damage battery capacity, and charging in high heat can make the damage worse. Apple notes that a parked car can go beyond this range, so it is better not to leave your phone in the car. For a device you won't use for a long time, Apple says to store it at about 50% charge rather than fully charged or fully drained, in a cool, dry place below 32°C.

Samsung says using or storing a phone for long periods below 0°C or above 35°C can degrade battery performance and cause sudden shutdowns. The same page says repeatedly charging or leaving a phone outdoors in sub-zero winter weather for long periods may be bad for the battery.

Is it a fault if charging stops in the cold?

It may not be. According to Apple, a device that gets too cold may not charge or may stop partway. If the lock screen shows "Charging On Hold" with a note that charging will resume automatically when the temperature returns to normal, the device is too hot or cold to charge for now. Bring it indoors, let it warm up, then check the charging status again.

What should I check if my phone keeps shutting off every winter?

Samsung Electronics Service lists sudden shutdowns in cold conditions or in winter as one sign that a battery is nearing the end of its life. If shutdowns stay frequent even after a full charge indoors, it is time to check the battery status. On a Galaxy phone you can do this in the Samsung Members app.

1. Open the Samsung Members app and tap Get help in the bottom menu.
2. Under Phone diagnostics, tap Start now.
3. When the diagnosis finishes, tap Battery status to see the result.

If the result looks poor or the shutdowns continue, have the phone checked at a nearby Samsung Electronics service center. The temperature figures and the diagnosis path were checked on October 19, 2026, on Apple's and Samsung's official support pages.