PHONE CARE
Phone Overheating: Safe Steps and Warning Signs
Know what to stop, how to cool the phone safely and when not to keep using it.
Warm and overheating are not the same
A phone may feel warm during navigation, gaming, video calls, charging or a large software update. Warning signs include a temperature alert, repeated shutdowns, a screen that dims sharply, charging that pauses or a device that becomes uncomfortable to hold. Phones may limit performance and charging to protect internal components. Give those protections time to work instead of repeatedly overriding them.
Cool it safely
- Stop charging and disconnect accessories.
- Move the phone out of direct sunlight or a hot vehicle.
- Pause demanding apps and lock the screen.
- Remove a thick case if it is trapping heat.
- Leave the phone in a dry, shaded place with normal airflow.
Do not put a hot phone in a refrigerator, freezer, ice or water. Rapid cooling can cause condensation and damage. Do not place it directly against an air conditioner or frozen pack.
Find the likely cause
After it cools, check battery usage for an app running heavily in the background. Update the operating system and apps, restart the phone and test with a known-good charger. Poor mobile signal can also increase power use while the phone searches for service. If overheating began after installing one app, remove or limit that app before assuming the hardware has failed.
Prevent heat during charging
Use a compatible, undamaged charger on a hard surface with ventilation. Avoid charging under pillows, bedding or in direct sun. Gaming, navigation and high-resolution video while fast charging can combine several heat sources. Pause those tasks if the phone becomes very warm. Wireless charging may feel warmer than wired charging, but repeated warnings or shutdowns deserve investigation.
Stop using a damaged battery
Power the phone down and arrange professional service if the case or screen is lifting, the battery appears swollen, there is a chemical smell, smoke, hissing or heat continues while the device is idle. Do not press a swollen device flat, puncture it or mail it without following battery-shipping rules. Back up important data only if the phone can be used safely.