Tablet Overheating

Emergency response can be a challenging environment. In some cases, especially in hot and humid climates, you can get into a situation where the tablet will overheat after extended use. 

Overheated iPads and CrystalSky devices will shut down automatically and will not restart until after the internal hardware has cooled off enough to resume operation. In the event this happens, the drone should return to home if you are unable to reestablish a connection.

Following is a list of ways you can mitigate overheating your iPad:

Know Your Surroundings

• Avoid being close to excessive heat for extended periods of time.
• Try not to stand in direct sunlight, as it directly contributes to overheating. Viewing from a shaded area will also make the screen easier to see. Many organizations use portable pop up canopies to reduce sun exposure.
• Choose a well ventilated area to stand in when possible. Something as simple as a fan pointed at the tablet and controller can also be helpful.

Stay Up to Date

• Older devices will always have lower performance, and have a greater risk of overheating. We strongly recommend using the most recent versions of these devices, as described in the System Requirements article on this DroneSense Support site.
• iPads with a white border may be less likely to absorb heat in sunny environments.
• Keep your device fully charged. Batteries tend to heat up more as they deplete.
• Be sure to keep up to date with operating system, firmware,  and other software updates.

Device Settings and Software

• Whenever possible, avoid having other applications running in the background.
• Don't use beta versions of the operating system.
• When setting up a new iPad, avoid using a backup from a different device, as it may contain old configuration settings that can contribute to the device running less efficiently.
• If you're not using Bluetooth, WiFi, or cellular data connections, try disabling those settings.
• On the Location Services and Background App Refresh settings, disable other apps to reduce other services running in the background.
• Either disable Siri entirely, or disable the Listen for "Hey Siri" option in Siri & Search.

Tablet Cases

• You should generally avoid using a case on your tablet during flight, as it can contribute to heat accumulation.
• There are, however, cases available that are designed to cool the tablet. They can be expensive, but can provide longer run times.

Device Management

• If you are in an environment conducive to overheating, you should consider having backup tablets available to swap out during an operation. Drone battery swaps could be a good opportunity to perform a tablet swap.
• Be sure to use officially licensed cables to connect the iPad and controller, preferably the Apple cable that came with the iPad. Unsupported third party cables may contribute to the iPad running inefficiently.
• Consider making power cycling part of your regular device maintenance. Power cycling is where you charge the battery to 100% and then completely run it down until it shuts down on its own. Once that completes, recharge the device again. This can also improve the battery life long term.