Saunas are loved all around the world for relaxation, detox, and recovery. The soothing heat and steam help muscles relax, improve blood flow, and give you a refreshing break from stress. But many of us are so attached to our phones that we want to carry them everywhere—even into a sauna.
That’s when the question comes up:
“Can I safely take my iPhone into a sauna?”
The honest answer is: No, you shouldn’t take your iPhone into a sauna.
Let’s explore why it’s risky, what can go wrong, and what better alternatives you have.
Why People Want to Take Their iPhone Into the Sauna?
Before diving into the risks, let’s understand why people even think about bringing their phones into a sauna in the first place.
- Music or Podcasts: Many like to relax with their favorite playlist or podcast.
- Tracking Time: Some want to keep an eye on how long they’ve been inside.
- Fitness Tracking: People often track heart rate, steps, or calories burned.
- Photos or Videos: Some might want to capture a “sauna selfie” or share the experience on social media.
- Staying Connected: For people who don’t want to miss messages or calls.
While these reasons sound valid, the risks outweigh the convenience.
The Science of Heat and Saunas
Saunas are meant for human bodies, not electronics. The temperature inside a sauna usually ranges between:
- Traditional steam sauna: 70°C to 100°C (158°F to 212°F)
- Infrared sauna: 45°C to 60°C (113°F to 140°F)
Now compare that with Apple’s own guidelines for iPhones:
- Normal use: 0°C to 35°C (32°F to 95°F)
- Storage only: -20°C to 45°C (-4°F to 113°F)
This clearly shows that a sauna is way hotter than your iPhone is designed to handle.
What Happens When You Bring an iPhone Into a Sauna?
Here’s what can go wrong if you expose your iPhone to sauna conditions:
1. Overheating
The iPhone has built-in protection. When it gets too hot, it automatically shuts down to prevent further damage. In a sauna, this can happen within minutes. If your iPhone keeps overheating often, its long-term performance will drop.
2. Battery Damage
Heat is the biggest enemy of lithium-ion batteries (the type used in iPhones). High temperatures make the battery age faster. Over time, you’ll notice it doesn’t last as long and needs charging more often.
3. Screen Problems
The glass screen may fog up from steam, or the display might develop strange spots. Extreme heat can also affect the adhesive that holds the screen in place.
4. Internal Moisture (Steam Damage)
Even though iPhones are water-resistant (IP68 rating on newer models), steam is different from water. Steam particles are tiny and hot, which makes them more likely to sneak into the phone’s small openings, causing corrosion inside.
5. Performance Issues
The processor inside your iPhone slows down when it’s too hot. That means apps may freeze, the phone may lag, or the touchscreen may stop responding properly.
6. Permanent Failure
In the worst cases, the heat and moisture can damage the circuits permanently. Once that happens, repair might be very expensive—or your iPhone may not work again.
Why “Waterproof” Doesn’t Mean Sauna-Safe?
Newer iPhones are advertised as “water-resistant” with ratings like IP67 or IP68. Many people think this means they’re safe to use anywhere near water or steam.
But here’s the key difference:
- Water resistance is tested in clean, still water at room temperature.
- Sauna steam is hot, constant, and much more invasive.
So while your iPhone might survive a quick splash or being dropped in a sink, it’s not designed for the high heat and humidity of a sauna.
What About Infrared Saunas?
Some people argue that infrared saunas are cooler (around 50°C to 60°C / 122°F to 140°F) compared to steam saunas. While it’s true they are not as extreme, they are still hotter than Apple’s safe limit of 35°C (95°F).
So even in an infrared sauna, your iPhone is at risk of overheating and damage.
Real-Life Scenarios
Let’s imagine a few situations to make this clearer:
- Case 1: Sauna Selfie
You take your iPhone in for a quick photo. Within 3 minutes, it overheats and shuts down. You might get away with it once, but repeated attempts will shorten your battery’s life. - Case 2: Music Lover
You want to play music inside the sauna. The iPhone gets hot, the sound distorts, and later you notice the battery drains faster than before. - Case 3: Business Call
You try to stay connected during sauna time. The heat not only damages your phone but also makes you uncomfortable holding a hot device against your ear.
Moral of the story: It’s not worth the risk.
Safer Alternatives to Taking Your iPhone Into a Sauna
Here are better ways to enjoy your sauna without risking your expensive device:
- Leave It Outside
The safest option. Keep your iPhone outside the sauna and enjoy a distraction-free session. - Use a Sauna Clock
Most saunas already have timers or clocks inside so you can track how long you’ve been there. - Bluetooth or Waterproof Speaker
Place a small speaker outside the sauna and still enjoy your music without putting your iPhone at risk. - Smartwatch
If you want to track time or fitness, use a watch designed for workouts. Some watches are more heat-resistant than phones (but even they have limits). - Enjoy a Tech-Free Break
Think of the sauna as your chance to disconnect, relax, and let your mind recharge without screens.
Final Answer
No, you should not take your iPhone into a sauna. The extreme heat and steam can:
- Overheat and shut down your phone
- Damage the battery permanently
- Cause screen and internal moisture issues
- Even lead to complete phone failure
Even if your iPhone survives once, repeated exposure will shorten its life.
The best choice is to leave your phone outside the sauna, use other safe tools for music or timekeeping, and enjoy your sauna session worry-free.
After all, saunas are about relaxation and disconnecting—so maybe it’s a perfect chance to give yourself a break from technology too.
Also Read: Can I Use My iPhone Hotspot For Rokoko?
