Why Is My Phone So Hot? Overheating Causes and Fixes

Warm is normal. Hot is a message.

Every phone warms up when it's working hard. Charging, streaming video, navigation and games all produce heat, and a phone that feels warm in your hand during those tasks is doing what it was designed to do. Phones also protect themselves: when they get too hot, they dim the screen, slow down, pause charging or show a temperature warning.

What deserves attention is heat that doesn't match what you're doing, such as a phone that's hot while sitting idle on the table, or one that heats up fast and stays hot. Here are the common causes, from the everyday to the serious.

Common causes of a hot phone

Charging and using it at the same time

Charging creates heat in the battery. Gaming, video calls or GPS create heat in the processor. Do both together, especially with a fast charger, and the heat adds up quickly. This is the most common reason a phone gets uncomfortably hot.

A case that traps heat

Thick rugged cases, wallet cases and cases with a metal plate for a car mount can hold heat against the phone. If your phone runs hot mostly while charging, try charging it out of the case.

Sun and hot places

Direct sun on a patio table, a dashboard mount in summer or a phone left on a heater vent can push temperatures up fast, even when you're not using it.

Background activity

Apps that keep running, syncing or using location in the background keep the processor busy. A single misbehaving app can cause steady warmth and fast battery drain.

Right after an update or a new setup

After a major software update, or when you set up a new phone from a backup, the phone spends a while reorganizing data, re-downloading apps and analyzing your photo library. Some warmth during that period is normal and settles down on its own.

Weak signal and hotspot use

In a basement or a spot with poor reception, the phone works harder to stay connected. Using it as a Wi-Fi hotspot does the same.

Chargers, cables and wireless pads

A damaged cable, a poor-quality charger or a phone sitting slightly off-centre on a wireless pad can all create extra heat.

An ageing or failing battery

As batteries wear, they can run warmer, and a damaged battery can heat up with little or no use. This is the cause to take seriously.

How to cool it down and keep it cool

1. Unplug it and stop what you're doing, especially games or video.
2. Take it out of the case.
3. Move it out of the sun to a cool, shaded spot. Let it cool on its own; don't put it in the fridge or freezer, which can cause condensation inside.
4. Close apps you aren't using, then restart the phone once it has cooled.
5. Check battery usage in your settings to see which apps used the most battery recently. Update or remove any that look out of place.
6. Install pending app and system updates, since fixes for heat and battery issues are common.
7. Charge with a cable and adapter in good condition, ideally not while gaming.

Warning signs of a swollen battery

Heat combined with any of these signs suggests the battery itself may be swelling:

• The screen lifting away from the frame, or a gap along one edge
• The back glass or cover bulging, cracking without a drop, or separating
• The phone rocking when laid flat on a table
• Touch responding by itself or the screen showing pressure marks
• A sweet or chemical smell

When to stop using your phone

A swollen battery shouldn't be charged overnight or carried in a pocket while you wait for a repair. Our phone battery guide explains more about battery wear and when replacement makes sense.

Quick reference

When to call a technician

If your phone keeps overheating after these steps, or you see any sign of swelling, the battery is the first thing to check. Woman Wireless On The Go sends a certified woman technician to your home, workplace or parked car anywhere in our service area, so you don't have to carry a hot phone across town. Call or WhatsApp (365) 351-4247 for a free quote before any work starts, or read about our battery replacement service.

Frequently asked questions

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