Table of contents
- Why does my phone get hot?
- Why does my phone get hot when charging?
- How to stop a phone from overheating
- Close background apps
- Disable Location Permissions
- Remove a phone case
- Use a certified charger
- Avoid direct sunlight
- Remove malware
- What to do to stop your phone being hot
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 to help them 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:
- 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:
- 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 is 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, requiring you to cool your phone down. Whereas iPhones are almost impenetrable to malware, Android phones are susceptible to it and require robust protection.
So, what can you do? Proactively reduce malware threats with Clario Anti Spy with Anti-spy setup and remove spyware with the Spyware scan feature. Clario Anti Spy’s Anti-spy setup tool for Android and iOS devices helps you review and manage app permissions and other settings that could expose you to privacy risks. Given that some app permissions can open the door for hackers to target you, Clario Anti Spy’s Anti-spy setup can help you get ahead of these attacks and similar risks.
The tool helps you strengthen your phone’s defenses against online threats and safeguards your data for your peace of mind. By conveniently guiding you through comprehensive checklists, it simplifies the daunting process of tweaking your privacy and security settings on your phone, social media apps, and more.
Follow the steps below to start using Clario Anti Spy’s Anti-spy setup on your smartphone:
- Download and install Clario Anti Spy.
- Find the Anti-spy setup tool and tap Set up just below it.
- Select a category, action each recommendation on the list, and repeat the process until you’ve set up all the safeguards.

What to do to stop your phone being hot
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.
Extensive app permissions, spyware, and more consume a significant amount of power, which can lead to your phone overheating. Prevent this by using Clario Anti Spy. Its Anti-spy setup tool helps you review and change app permissions and other essential phone and app settings to reduce privacy and security risks. By using it, you can enjoy all that your phone and social media apps have to offer, knowing you’ve set up safeguards to protect your data and optimize energy efficiency.