Why Is My Phone Getting Hot? Causes and What to Do

Phones get warm. Charging, streaming video, playing games and using GPS all make the processor and battery work hard, and that work creates heat. A little warmth is normal. A phone that feels hot to the touch, slows down, dims the screen or shows a temperature warning is telling you something is off.

Here's how we at We Fix Phones N More suggest figuring out why your phone is running hot and what to do about it.

What to Do Right Away

If your phone feels hot or shows a temperature warning, take these steps first:

• Unplug it if it's charging.
• Take it out of its case so heat can escape.
• Move it out of the sun and away from heaters, car dashboards or a pile of blankets.
• Close apps you aren't using and stop any game, video or navigation for a while.
• Let it cool on its own. Don't put it in the freezer or refrigerator. Sudden cold can cause condensation inside the phone, and moisture does far more damage than heat.

Once it's back to normal, you can start looking for the cause.

Common Reasons Phones Overheat

Heavy use

Long gaming sessions, video calls, recording 4K video and turn-by-turn navigation all push the phone hard. Doing these while charging adds even more heat. If your phone only gets hot during these tasks and cools down afterward, it's usually working as designed.

Charging habits

Charging creates heat, and fast charging creates more. Charging under a pillow, on a bed or in a thick case traps that heat. Cheap or damaged chargers and cables can also cause problems. Use a charger from a reputable brand and replace any cable that's frayed or bent at the ends.

Apps misbehaving in the background

Sometimes an app gets stuck and keeps running even when you aren't using it. Check the battery section of your phone's settings to see which apps are using the most power. If one stands out that you barely use, update it, restart the phone, or remove the app.

Weak signal

When cell service is poor, your phone boosts its radio power to stay connected. In a basement, an elevator or a dead zone, that extra effort can make the phone warm and drain the battery faster. Turning on Wi-Fi calling, where available, can help.

Outdated software

Software bugs can cause overheating, and updates often include fixes. Check for system updates and app updates regularly.

Warning Signs of a Battery Problem

Most overheating is temporary. But heat combined with any of the following can point to a worn or damaged battery:

• The phone gets hot while sitting idle, not doing anything.
• The battery drains much faster than it used to.
• The phone shuts off suddenly, even with charge left.
• The screen is lifting away from the frame, or the back looks like it's bulging.
• You notice a chemical smell.

A swollen battery is a safety issue. If you see the screen or back separating, stop using and charging the phone and bring it in. Don't press on it or try to force it back together. Our post on signs your phone battery needs replacing covers more of the clues to watch for.

When Heat Points to a Repair

If your phone overheats after a drop or after getting wet, internal damage could be the cause. Liquid can corrode parts and create short circuits that make a phone run hot. If you think water is involved, our guide on what to do when your phone gets wet explains the first steps. A damaged charging port can also cause heat while charging.

At our shop we can test the battery, look for liquid damage and check the charging system to find what's really going on. If a part needs replacing, our repairs come with a 90-day warranty.

How to Keep Your Phone Cooler

• Avoid leaving your phone in a hot car or in direct sun, even in the fall and spring.
• Take off thick cases during long charging sessions or gaming.
• Charge on a hard, flat surface instead of a bed or couch.
• Keep the phone's software and apps up to date.
• Lower the screen brightness and close apps you aren't using.
• Use the phone's built-in battery health or battery care settings, if it has them.

Get It Checked in Horsham

A phone that keeps running hot won't usually fix itself, and catching a failing battery early is safer and easier. If your phone is overheating, shutting down or showing a swollen battery, stop by We Fix Phones N More at 801 County Line Rd in Horsham. We help customers from all over Bucks and Montgomery counties with phone repair, from batteries to charging ports. Questions first? Call us at 215-323-4750.