An apparatus, in accordance with one embodiment, includes a write transducer having a pair of writer poles having pole tips, the pole tips defining a write gap therebetween. A thin film device is positioned at least in part in the write gap for raising a local temperature of the write gap. Electrical connections for causing a current to pass through the thin film device are also present. A method, in accordance with one embodiment, includes passing a current through a thin film device positioned at least in part in a write gap defined between pole tips of writer poles of a write transducer for causing heating of the thin film device. A level of the current is changed in response to detection of a predefined condition.