Phone overheating? Here’s why and how to stop it

⚡ Fast fix

• Close power-hungry apps. Gaming, streaming, and navigation can heat things up fast—swipe them away.
• Take off the case. Thick cases trap heat and slow cooling.
• Move out of direct sun. Even a few minutes on a hot car seat can spike the temperature.
• Still too hot? Bring it to your local uBreakiFix® by Asurion store for a free diagnostic.

Warmer temperatures mean more outdoor activities. And chances are, your phone is right beside you through all the fun—capturing photos, navigating road trips, or providing a soundtrack with your favorite Spotify™ playlist.

While we’re careful to take precautions against the sun for ourselves when out in the heat (hello, SPF 50), are you making sure to protect your phone, too? If not, you’ll want to add that to your checklist. Asurion Experts share exactly why your mobile phone gets too hot, how to prevent it, and the safest ways to cool down a phone quickly.

Why is your phone getting hot?

There are several things that could lead to your iPhone® or Android™ device overheating:

• Environmental heat: Leaving it in direct sunlight or in an uncomfortably warm place, like a parked car dashboard, is the most common cause of a sudden temperature spike.
• Heavy usage: If you’re playing graphics-heavy mobile games, recording 4K video, or running a GPS app for hours, your phone’s processor and battery are working overtime.
• Charging habits: Using a cheap, uncertified charger can cause thermal issues. Likewise, trying to fast-charge your phone while playing a heavy game generates excessive heat. (Note: Modern phones have safety chips to prevent "overcharging" past 100%, but they still generate heat while actively charging).

Whatever the reason, it’s best for your device to stay at a lower temperature. Lithium-ion batteries degrade rapidly when exposed to extreme heat. If your phone gets too hot, it will experience severe battery drain, a sluggish interface, and eventually a forced thermal shutdown to prevent permanent hardware damage.

5 tips to stop your phone from overheating

If your phone feels hot to the touch or keeps flashing temperature warnings, these simple fixes can help cool it down and prevent future overheating.

1. Avoid direct sunlight

The easiest way to prevent overheating is to keep your phone out of the sun. Dark glass screens act like magnifying glasses, catching light and heat from the sun and retaining it. Keep it in your bag, under a towel, or in the shade.

2. Lower your screen brightness

Turning your screen brightness up to 100% forces your battery to work harder, which creates more heat. Lower your screen brightness and shorten the screen timeout duration so your display turns off faster. Consider an anti-glare screen protector—it reduces sun reflections so you can see your screen without maxing out the brightness.

3. Use a manufacturer-approved charger

Not all phone chargers are created equally. Cheap, gas-station charging cables often lack the safety chips that regulate power flow. To be on the safe side, use an MFi-certified (for Apple) or OEM-approved charger. Also, ensure your charging port is free of lint and debris, which can cause heat buildup.

4. Close power-hungry apps

While modern phones are great at managing background apps, apps that actively use your location (GPS) or camera can still generate heat.

• On iPhone: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to view your open apps. Swipe up on heavy apps to close them.
• On Android: Swipe up from the bottom, or tap the three vertical lines (Recent Apps button) at the bottom left, and swipe away demanding apps.

5. Keep your apps and software up to date

Many software updates include essential bug fixes. An outdated app can sometimes get stuck in a "loop," maxing out your phone's processor and causing it to run hot in your pocket. Check your app store and system settings regularly for updates.

6 ways to safely cool down a hot phone

If your phone is running hot, these six safe steps can help bring the temperature down quickly without causing damage.

1. Fan your phone or use the AC

It may sound simple, but fanning your phone, blowing on it, or holding it in front of your car's air conditioning vent is one of the fastest ways to safely dissipate the heat.

2. Avoid sudden changes in extreme temperature

Can you put your phone in the freezer or fridge to cool it off? Absolutely not. Exposing your phone to sudden, extreme cold causes condensation to form inside the device. Water damage is a surefire way to break your phone permanently.

3. Take off the case

Phones are built with metal and glass frames designed to pull heat away from the internal processor. Heavy-duty plastic and rubber cases act as insulation and trap that heat. Take the case off to help your phone cool down more quickly.

4. Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi

If Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi are turned on but not connected to anything, they will constantly scan the area for a signal. Turning off these wireless radios gives your phone's internal components a break.

5. Turn on Airplane Mode

If your phone has low or no cell signal (like when you're hiking or at a crowded festival), the internal modem works overtime desperately trying to find a connection, which generates a lot of heat. Turn on Airplane Mode until you’re back in an area with solid coverage.

6. Separate your phone from other tech

Stacking your hot phone on top of a warm laptop or tablet inside a backpack makes them all more susceptible to overheating. Keep them separated, preferably on a flat, cool surface, to help them dissipate heat.

FAQ

What temperature is too hot for a phone?

Most smartphones are designed to operate between 32°F and 95°F (0°C to 35°C). If your phone feels too hot to hold comfortably or shows a temperature warning, it’s overheating and needs to cool down.

Can overheating permanently damage my phone?

It can. Repeated overheating can degrade your battery, shorten its lifespan, and damage internal components over time. If it happens often, it’s worth getting your phone checked out by an expert.

Why does my phone overheat even when I’m not using it?

Background apps, software glitches, weak cell signal, or a failing battery can all cause overheating—even when the screen is off.

Does fast charging make your phone overheat?

Fast charging naturally creates more heat than standard charging. It’s safe with certified chargers, but using cheap or uncertified cables can increase overheating risk.

Why does my phone overheat while charging?

Charging already generates heat. If you’re also streaming, gaming, or using GPS at the same time, you’re doubling the workload—and the heat.

When should I be concerned about phone overheating?

If your phone overheats frequently, shuts down unexpectedly, or won’t cool down after resting, it could signal a battery or hardware issue. Pop in a nearby uBreakiFix® by Asurion store for a free diagnostic and fast fix.