Why is Your Phone Hot? How To Stop Your Phone Overheating (Android or iPhone)

Phone overheating is a common problem that can occur for many reasons, due to circumstances either outside the device or from the inside. These include direct sunlight or high temperatures, heavy use, charging, and internal defects.

Overheating is one of the ways you’re shortening the life of your phone. 

Several problems result from an overheating phone, from reduced performance and battery drain to permanent damage to the device.

Modern smartphones house powerful processors and large-capacity batteries inside slim cases, which make overheating a real concern, even under normal operating conditions. Sometimes, internal defects can lead to major problems, other times it’s the way we treat our phones that dictates how long they last.

You may notice a message in your iPhone or Android warning you about the overheating system. On your iPhone, you may see a message saying your device needs to cool down.

While on your Android phone, the message can be directed to the app that is causing the issue.

Why is your phone overheating

Since there are many reasons your phone is overheating, it’s important to pay attention when it starts to feel warm. This will help you address the most probable cause for the overheating.

These are the most common causes of overheating on smartphones:

Heavy use

If you’re doing a lot of processor-intensive tasks on your phone, it’s going to generate more heat. This is normal and not cause for concern. However, if you notice that the device is getting too hot, take a break from using it and allow it to cool down.

Charging

Phone batteries can get hot when they’re charging, so it’s important not to leave your device plugged in for extended periods. If you notice that the battery is getting too hot, unplug the phone and allow it to cool down. Pay close attention here for unusual heating. Also, avoid using the phone while it’s connected to a power source.

Internal defects

In some cases, overheating can be caused by internal defects, such as a faulty battery or processor. If you notice that your phone is overheating even when you’re not using it, contact the manufacturer for assistance.

How to cool down your phone

Follow this step-by-step guide to cool down your phone and prevent further issues. You can try the steps until the problem is solved and you can identify what caused it in the first place.

Step 1. Close background apps

Try to turn off any unnecessary features or applications that might be running in the background and using resources. This extra work can overheat your phone

Step 2. Disable location permissions

Many apps may have access to track your location, even when you are not using them. And it causes your phone to use its processors, heating it even when you’re not using it. Turn off the location permissions to avoid overheating.

Step 3. Remove the case

If your phone has a case, take it off. The extra layer of protection can trap heat against the phone, making the problem worse.

Step 4. Scan for malware

Malware can affect your battery, cause data loss, and overheat your phone, which leads to further damage. Scan your phone for viruses and malware to keep it safe and sound.

Step 5. Turn it off

Turn your phone off until it has cooled down completely. This will give the processor a break and hopefully prevent the phone from overheating again.

Step 6. Use original or certified charges and cables

Using faulty cables is bad. Using a non-certified cable or charge is equally bad. If not worse. These cables can damage your device and make your battery overheat while charging.

Always look for brands that are allowed to produce your phone’s manufacturer accessories.

Step 7. Remove the battery

If your phone has a removable battery, taking it out and letting it cool down for a few minutes can also help.

Take it to a professional

If your phone continues to overheat, even after taking these steps, there may be an issue with the hardware or software that needs to be addressed. In these cases, it’s best to consult a professional to diagnose the problem and find a solution.

At any time you can contact SalvageData for further assistance. Make sure your device and its data are secured and, in case of Android or iPhone data loss, you can count on our team expertise to restore every bit.

What’s the optimal temperature for my phone?

The ideal range for most phones is 32-95 degrees Fahrenheit (0-35 degrees Celsius).

However, some devices can operate outside of this range. For example, the iPhone 6S has a maximum operating temperature of 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius).

Remember to read your phone specifications to ensure you keep it in the optimal temperature range at all times.

What happens if your phone keeps overheating

If your phone has been feeling a little too toasty lately, you should immediately try to cool it down to avoid permanent damage and even data loss.

In the short term, it can cause your phone to slow down, drain its battery faster, or even shut down unexpectedly. In the long term, it can damage your phone’s internal components, leading to expensive repairs or even the need to replace the device.

• Reduced performance: When your phone overheats, it may throttle its performance to protect itself from damage. This can lead to laggy performance, dropped frames, and other problems.
• Battery drain: Overheating can also drain your phone’s battery faster. This is because the battery has to work harder to cool down the device.
• Unexpected shutdowns: If your phone overheats too much, it may shut down unexpectedly to prevent damage. This can lead to lost data and frustration.
• Permanent damage: In some cases, overheating can cause permanent damage to your phone’s internal components. This can include the battery, processor, and other important components.

How to prevent your phone from overheating again

The best practices you can follow to preserve your phone and prevent it from overheating are:

Avoid direct sunlight

If you’re going to be in the sun, try to keep your phone in the shade. Even if the sunlight may not affect your phone if it’s for a few minutes under it, long exposition can be prejudicial to your device.

Take breaks

If you’re doing a lot of processor-intensive tasks on your phone, take breaks every so often to allow the device to cool down.

Unplug after charging

Don’t leave your phone plugged in for extended periods. Unplug it as soon as it’s done charging.

Keep it clean

Dust, dirt, and other debris can block vents and cause your phone to overheat. Clean the area around your phone’s vents to help prevent overheating.

Place it in a cool, dry place

Once your phone has cooled down, place it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Avoid causing overheating to your device so you can prolong its usage time.

What NOT to do when the phone is overheating

If your phone is overheating, the best thing to do is to turn it off and let it cool down on a flat, dry surface that is away from direct sunlight. Once the phone has cooled down, you can try to use it again. If the phone continues to overheat, you may need to take it to a professional to have it checked out.

However, there are also a few things you must not do when your phone is overheating since they can cause serious damage to your device.

Do not put your phone in the refrigerator or freezer

When you eventually remove the phone from your refrigerator or freezer the temperature difference can cause condensation to form inside the device, which can damage the internal components.

Do not use your phone while it is charging

Using your phone while it is charging can lead to dangerous overheating. Charging already generates heat (especially fast charging), and using the phone intensively – playing games, and making calls – makes it work harder, which results in more internal heat.

Do not use demanding apps or games while your phone is overheating

This can generate more heat and make the problem worse. The best course of action is to close all applications (even better if you can put your phone on airplane mode) and leave the phone on a flat surface until it cools down.