How to stop your phone from overheating: simple habits that actually work

Posted by Matthew Davis on 2026-06-07, 16:36

Smartphone overheating sun. Photo by Francis Glenn Marciano on Pexels.

Hot weather, gaming sessions or long video calls can all make a phone feel worryingly warm. A slightly warm device is normal, but frequent overheating can slow everything down, drain the battery faster and, in extreme cases, trigger automatic shutdowns.

With a few small changes to how you charge, carry and use your phone, you can usually keep temperatures under control and extend the life of both the battery and internal components.

Why phones get hot in the first place

Inside every smartphone, the processor, battery and screen all generate heat. When you play games, record video or navigate with GPS, the processor works harder and uses more power. That extra power becomes heat, which has to go somewhere.

Modern phones are designed to push heat out through the frame and screen. If that heat cannot escape quickly enough, the device warms up to the point where performance is throttled or the phone switches off to protect itself.

Everyday habits to keep temperature under control

The easiest way to keep a phone cooler is to avoid combining the most demanding tasks. If possible, do not charge the device while playing heavy games, using GPS navigation or making long video calls. Those combinations push both the processor and battery at the same time.

When you notice the phone getting hot, close unused apps, reduce the screen brightness and give it a few minutes of lighter use. Small breaks during intense tasks help the processor and battery cool down before heat builds up too far.

Charging smart: safer ways to plug in

Fast charging is convenient, but it also creates more heat than slower charging. Use fast charging mainly when you really need it, and when you have more time, switch to a regular charger or a slower charging mode if your phone offers one.

Avoid covering the phone while charging. Do not charge under a pillow, in a bag, or squeezed between sofa cushions. Place it on a hard, flat surface so air can circulate around it, and keep it out of direct sunlight while plugged in.

Cases, pockets and direct sun

Phone table charging. Photo by nina . on Unsplash.

Protective cases are useful, but some trap heat. If your phone often feels hot, try removing the case during long gaming sessions or charging. Later you can put it back on for daily protection.

On hot days, avoid leaving the phone on a car dashboard or next to a window. If you need to keep it in a bag or pocket, choose a spot that is not pressed tightly against your body, since body heat and lack of airflow make cooling much harder.

Simple settings that reduce heat and save battery

A few quick setting changes can lower both temperature and power use. Reducing screen brightness, turning off always-on display features and shortening screen timeout all help more than many people realise.

You can also limit background activity by disabling automatic app refresh for apps you rarely use, turning off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not needed and switching off location access for apps that do not truly require it. Less background work means less constant heat.

When to worry about overheating

Most phones will feel warm during gaming, video recording or long calls, then cool down after a few minutes of lighter use. This is normal. Overheating becomes a concern if the device is hot to the touch during simple tasks like texting or browsing, or if it shuts down frequently.

If you see repeated temperature warnings, check for pending software updates and install them, since manufacturers often improve power management over time. If the phone still overheats during basic use, it may be worth asking a service center to check the battery and internal components.