Is it safe to leave my Librem 5 in a car, and could this potentially cause any damage? I assume I might need to remove the battery, but can I safely store it in my car and use it solely through the USB power supply?
What temperatures can the device handle? Thank you all so much for any help/advice!
Yes, it is safe.
I don’t know where you live and what sort of ambient temperatures you experience in your vehicle, but if hot: The Librem 5 is safe to use in a car past the point where it would be comfortable to hold in your hand due to the heat of the phone chassis, but there would likely be significant thermal throttling. If cold: anecdotally, if cold enough, the phone may fail to function but I have never personally noticed dangerous conditions when using electronic devices in the cold. Just please use common sense and remember that the warranty only protects “against defects in materials and workmanship when used normally and in accordance to its designed operational conditions.” [1]
Using the phone solely from USB power is certainly feasible, but keep in mind that any power disruptions coming from the vehicle (12V cigarette lighter, USB-A or USB-C ports) will abruptly power off the phone which, of course, could potentially cause data loss or corruption.
Depends on your climate. As a general rule you should never store any sensitive equipment in a car that is parked in the sun. (On the cold side, yes, not great for any battery.)
Another possible topic: Phone in sub-zero temperatures
My car will complain at me if I run things with the electrics on without the engine running for more than X minutes (presumably on the expectation that it will run the car’s battery flat).
In addition it offers two USB ports, one that is only powered when the electrics are on (wouldn’t be the case in a car that is abandoned overnight) and one that is powered directly from the battery and hence always on (until the car’s battery goes flat).
So clearly it will depend on make and model of car.
I would have thought … just shut the phone down overnight.
I’d be worried about the car. The heat from the L5 may heat up the car!