How to prevent your phone from overheating

In this article, we're going to show you how to prevent your phone from overheating, but before that, you need to understand a few things. Phone overheating is a common problem many users face, especially during heavy use or hot weather. In compact designs, modern smartphones feature powerful processors, bright displays, and high-capacity batteries. While this gives us fast and capable devices, it also means there's less room for heat to escape. As a result, phones can easily overheat when overworked or exposed to hot environments.

Constant exposure to high temperatures can damage the battery, reduce performance, and even shorten your phone's overall lifespan. In severe cases, it can cause your device to shut down unexpectedly, malfunction, or be permanently damaged.
This guide will help you understand the causes of phone overheating, recognise the warning signs, and take practical steps to prevent it. By following these tips, you can keep your phone running cool, safe, and smooth for a long time.

Understand why phones overheat

There are two main causes: internal and external

Internal causes

1. Heavy app use or gaming. High-performance apps, especially games with advanced graphics or video editing tools, can force your phone's processor to work harder. This can cause the internal temperature to rise, especially if used for long periods.

2. Background processes Even when you're not actively using your phone, some apps run in the background—updating, syncing data, or tracking your location. These hidden processes use battery and processing power, which generates heat.

3. Charging habits: Charging your phone naturally generates heat. But using your phone while charging or constantly using a fast charger can make it heat up more than normal. Using a non-certified or cheap charging cable can also make the problem worse.

External causes

1. Direct sunlight or a hot environment. Leaving your phone in direct sunlight, such as on a car dashboard or near a window, can quickly raise its temperature. The same applies to using it in extremely hot environments – your phone absorbs the heat around it.

2. Bulky phone cases trap heat. Thick or poorly ventilated phone cases, especially those made of rubber or leather, can trap heat and prevent it from escaping, causing your phone to overheat while you're using or charging.

3. Poor ventilation. Using your phone in a confined space, such as under a pillow, in bed, or in a tight pocket while charging or multitasking, can block air flow, making it harder for your phone to cool naturally.

Signs your phone is overheating

Here are some common signs that your phone is overheating:

1. Performance slows down or apps crash

When your phone gets too hot, it can slow down or stop responding. You may notice apps open slowly, freeze, or close unexpectedly. This happens because the phone reduces performance to cool itself down and protect internal components.

2. Screen brightness dims automatically

If your screen suddenly dims even when auto-brightness is off, it may be a sign of overheating. Many phones automatically lower the brightness when the internal temperature rises to reduce heat and save battery.

3. Warning message or automatic shutdown

Some smartphones will display a temperature warning like "Phone needs to cool down before using" when it gets too hot, but sometimes the phone may shut down automatically to prevent internal damage.

4. Battery draining fast

If you notice your battery percentage draining fast, especially when you're not using your phone much, overheating may be the cause.

Practical tips to prevent overheating

A. Adjust settings

1.  Bright screen uses a lot of power and generate heat. Try lowering the brightness manually or turning on auto-brightness so the phone can adjust it based on your surroundings.

2. Running multiple apps at once increases the workload on your phone's processor. Regularly closing apps you're not using helps reduce heat and improve performance.

3. Refresh many apps constantly update in the background, even when you're not using them. Disabling this feature (especially for apps you don't use often) reduces battery consumption and heat build-up.

4. Disable location services when not needed. GPS and location tracking consume a lot of power. Turning off location services when not needed keeps your phone cool and saves battery life.

B. Charging habits

1. Charging should be done on a hard surface rather than a soft one, as air moves easily on a hard surface

2. Don't use your phone while chargingUsing your phone while charging makes it work harder and generate more heat. It's best to let it charge without using it too much, especially for gaming or streaming.

3. Use an original or certified charger. Low-quality chargers can cause overheating, so always use a certified option from a trusted brand.

C. Environmental awareness

1. Keep your phone out of direct sunlight. Sunlight can heat up your phone quickly, especially if it's in use.

2. Leaving your phone inside a parked car can expose it to extreme temperatures that can damage the battery and internal components.

3. Use your phone in shady or cool places. Whenever possible, use your phone in cool places to prevent overheating. This is especially important during activities that already heat up the device, like video calls or gaming

Long-term preventive measures

1. Keep the software updated

Keeping your operating system and apps updated ensures that your phone is running as efficiently as possible

2. Monitor battery health

A worn-out battery can cause excessive heat. Most smartphones now have a battery health feature that lets you check if your battery is functioning normally. If the battery is worn out, consider getting it replaced to prevent overheating and other problems.

3. Use lightweight phone cases or cooling accessories

Cooling accessories such as external fans or heat-dissipating pads are also available, which can be useful during heavy phone use or gaming.

4. Install apps to monitor temperature

There are free apps available that can track your phone's internal temperature and send alerts if it gets too hot. By following these long-term measures, you can improve your phone's performance, protect its components, and reduce the risk of overheating over time.

What to do if your phone overheats

1. Immediately remove it from the heat source

2. Turn it off for a while
3. Remove the case
4. Let it cool down in a shady, ventilated area

When to seek professional help

Although most cases of phone overheating can be managed with simple steps, sometimes the problem can be more serious. If you notice any of the problems below, it's best to contact a professional technician or visit an authorised service centre.

1. Persistent overheating problems

If your phone is still overheating after following all the prevention tips, there may be an underlying problem with the battery, processor, or internal components. Frequent overheating is not normal and should be checked by a technician.

2. Swollen battery or hardware damage

A swollen battery is a serious warning sign. You may see the phone's back cover bulging or the screen bulging. Any signs of physical damage or overheating-related irritation should be addressed by professionals immediately. 

3. Overheating even during light use

If your phone heats up while performing simple tasks like browsing, texting, or sitting idle, it could be a sign of a battery or processor problem, or a virus or software bug. This kind of behaviour is not normal and requires expert advice.

Conclusion

Let's quickly recap the main tips you can use to prevent your phone from overheating:

• Avoid using apps for long periods, especially while charging.
• Avoid exposing your phone to sunlight or a hot environment.
• Adjust your settings, such as lowering the brightness and closing apps you don't use.
• Use certified chargers and avoid charging your phone in closed spaces.
• Take long-term measures such as updating software, monitoring battery health, and using cooling accessories.
By following these simple methods, you can extend the life of your phone, improve performance, and avoid unnecessary damage or trouble caused by overheating.