Why is My Phone Overheating?

Both Android and iOS phones are susceptible to overheating. There’s no saying how many phones are plagued by this issue, but one thing is certain — an excessively hot phone is a safety hazard.

In 2016, Samsung recalled 2.5 million phones due to battery overheating. Unfortunately, it wasn’t an isolated incident. There’s a lot of clamor on social media and Apple’s support forum about a similar iPhone overheating issues.

Read on to learn why your phone gets hot and how to cool down your device. But before you do, consider a quick fix that might solve this issue.

Pro tip: Android phone overheating can be caused by malware running in the background and putting your device under undue strain. Here’s how to stop overheating phone with the help of an antivirus app:

1. Install Clario
2. Create an account
3. Run a malware scan

Why does my phone get hot?

First things first, it’s common for a phone to get slightly hot. After all, unlike computers, phones are not equipped with fans helping them to cool down. However, if your phone turns into a portable heater, it’s time to wonder, “why is my phone so hot?”

Your phone can overheats for one or more of the following reasons:

• Intensive gaming
  A phone can get hot if you play graphically demanding games or casual games for too long.
• Content streaming
  Streaming YouTube or Netflix is a stressful task for your phone. If you watch content for hours at a time, expect your phone to warm up.
• Excessive apps
  A large number of open apps can not only slow down your phone but also considerably increase its temperature.
• High brightness
  The brighter your phone, the harder its battery has to work, emitting heat in the process.
• Malware infection
  Some malware strains can put your phone’s processor under undue strain, causing the phone to overheat.
• Faulty battery or charger
  A faulty battery or charger can heat up your device even after moderate use.

Why does my phone get hot when charging?

The lithium-ion battery used in most modern phones is no stranger to overheating. Your phone is overheating when charging in response to a high current running through its battery. The higher the battery’s internal resistance, the more it heats up.

Interestingly, old batteries have a higher internal resistance conditioned by their deteriorating internal chemical composition. When charging, old batteries get noticeably warmer than their brand-new counterparts. To avoid dangerous levels of overheating, manufacturers install positive temperature coefficient (PCT) devices into their batteries. Unfortunately, these devices are not entirely foolproof. This is why it’s essential to learn how to cool down a phone.

How to stop a phone from overheating

Needless to say, an unreasonably hot phone is unpleasant to touch. What’s more, it poses a potential fire hazard. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to stop it from overheating.

Here’s how to cool your phone down.

• Close background apps
• Disable Location Permissions
• Remove a phone case
• Use a certified charger
• Avoid direct sunlight
• Remove malware

Close background apps

App hoarding can make your phone both sluggish and hot. Therefore, close the apps you don’t need at that moment.

Disable Location Permissions

You would be surprised how many apps on your phone are allowed to access location services. By disabling location permissions for most of your apps, you can reduce the chances of your phone overheating.

Here’s how to disable Location Services for iPhone apps:
 

1. In Settings, tap Privacy

2. Tap the menu next to an app, then select one of the following options: Never, Ask next time, While using the app, and Always.

Here’s how to disable location permissions for Android apps:
 

1. In Settings, tap Manage Apps

2. Tap Permissions and select Location

3. In the Location menu, toggle the switch next to an app

4. Tap Deny Anyway

Remove a phone case

A protective case can prevent your phone from dissipating heat properly.

If you are comfortable using your phone without additional protection, remove the case to help bring the phone’s temperature down.

Use a certified charger

If your phone is hot when charging, make sure you use a certified charger. Cheap chargers might lack a regulator that prevents a phone’s battery from overcharging and, hence, overheating.

Safe chargers certified by Apple have the MFi badge on them. Safe Android chargers bear the CE and RoHS markings on their packaging.

Avoid direct sunlight

Excessive tanning can be risky not only for people but also for phones. If exposed to direct sunlight, your phone will overheat in a matter of minutes.

When on a beach, keep your phone in the shade or inside a bag. Similarly, make sure not to leave your phone in a hot car.

Remove malware

If your phone is getting hot and the battery draining faster than usual, it might be infected with malware. By putting your phone’s processor under heavy load, malware can quickly drain its battery and raise its temperature. Whereas iPhones are almost impenetrable for malware, Android phones are susceptible to it and require robust protection.

Here’s how to cool your phone down using an antivirus:
 

1. Install Clario for Android

2. Create a free account

3. Tap Start scan to find and remove malware

Now your phone is malware-free, but we are not done just yet. Clario also offers VPN, data breach monitoring, 24/7 tech support and many more functions. Explore them now — no credit card needed.

Wrapping up

Whether you are an iPhone or Android phone owner, keeping your device at the right temperature is key to extending its battery life and overall longevity. Hopefully, our advice will help you achieve both. But it doesn’t mean you don’t have to stop here. Explore other articles to also learn how to improve your phone’s performance and security.

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