Phone Running Hot? Causes and What You Can Do
Your phone is getting hot during charging or everyday use — what's normal and when should you be concerned? Read about the causes and solutions.
Door The Phone Shopper
Gepubliceerd: 2026-08-05
You put your phone down for fifteen minutes, pick it up again — and get a shock: it's burning hot. Or you've been on a call for twenty minutes and notice your cheek feels warm. Sound familiar? A phone running hot is something we hear about multiple times a week at The Phone Shopper. Sometimes there's nothing to worry about — but sometimes it's a problem you'll want to address sooner rather than later.
Quick summary: A phone warming up during intensive use or charging is perfectly normal. But if your device regularly feels uncomfortably hot, it often points to an ageing battery, a damaged charging port, apps running in the background, or a hardware issue — all of which can be fixed.
When is a warm phone normal?
Let's start with the basics: every electronic device generates heat. That goes for your laptop, your tablet, and your phone. The processor handles data, the battery delivers power, and together they produce warmth. That's completely normal.
What is normal:
- Getting slightly warm during a 30-minute video call
- Warming up while charging, especially with fast charging
- Heating up when streaming video or playing a graphically demanding game
- Brief warming after a major software update being processed in the background
What is not normal: a phone that gets so hot it's painful to hold, that shuts down spontaneously due to overheating, or that's already hot while sitting idle in your pocket.
The five most common causes
In our workshop we see a handful of causes come up time and again. These are the biggest culprits:
1. An ageing or damaged battery
This is by far the most common reason a phone runs hot. A battery past its prime works far less efficiently — it has to work harder to deliver the same amount of power, and that generates extra heat. Is your battery health below 80%? There's a good chance that's the cause. A solves the problem in most cases straight away.
2. Apps running in the background
Many apps stay active even after you "close" them. They refresh data, send location updates, or run ads in the background. If you have twenty such apps, your processor is constantly at work — even when the screen is off. Head to your phone's settings and check which apps are consuming the most battery and CPU resources.
3. A damaged or dirty charging port
A charging port full of dust and lint creates a poor connection. Your phone detects this as an unstable contact and repeatedly tries to reconnect, putting extra strain on the charging chip. The result: your phone heats up while charging and the battery charges more slowly too. We see this every week in our workshop — and a quick clean or makes a world of difference.
4. Direct sunlight or a hot environment
Leaving a phone in full sunlight, on a car dashboard, or next to a radiator sounds obvious — but it happens more often than you'd think. Smartphones are designed to operate between around 0°C and 35°C. Above that, the battery degrades faster and the phone may shut itself down as a protective measure.
5. A thick or poorly ventilated case
Cases are useful, but some materials — particularly thick leather or rubber without ventilation openings — trap heat like a thermos flask. During charging or demanding tasks, heat builds up more than it should. Try removing your case and see whether your phone stays cooler.
What can you do yourself if your phone is running hot?
Good news: many of these issues are fixable on your own. Work through these steps:
- Fully close active apps using your phone's app switcher.
- Check battery usage in your settings — look for apps with unusually high consumption.
- Remove your case temporarily and place the phone on a cool, flat surface.
- Avoid direct sunlight and never leave your phone somewhere hot, such as a car dashboard.
- Check your charging cable and adapter — use original accessories or certified alternatives wherever possible.
- Restart your phone — this stops all background processes and gives the system a fresh start.
- Check your battery health — on an iPhone via Settings → Battery → Battery Health; on Samsung via the built-in diagnostic mode.
- Bring your device in if the problem persists — our technicians will take a look free of charge.
What does a repair cost if the cause is hardware-related?
Sometimes the reason a phone runs hot can't be fixed with a software tweak — in that case, a hardware repair is the only real solution. Here's an overview of the most commonly requested repairs directly linked to overheating:
| Repair |
Most common models |
Average repair time |
| Battery replacement iPhone |
iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15 |
30–45 minutes |
| Battery replacement Samsung Galaxy |
Galaxy S21, S22, S23, A54 |
45–60 minutes |
| Charging port cleaning or replacement |
All models |
15–45 minutes |
| Motherboard diagnostics for persistent overheating |
All models |
By appointment |
Many of these repairs are completed while you wait. For and , our certified technicians use quality parts and all work comes with a warranty.
Is it time for a new device?
Sometimes a device is simply too old to perform well anymore. If the battery has already been replaced, the processor is outdated, and the phone heats up with every task, the honest advice is: it might be time to consider a different device. But that doesn't have to cost a fortune.
At The Phone Shopper you'll find a wide range of refurbished iPhones and refurbished Samsung Galaxy devices — fully inspected, with at least 85% battery capacity and a 2-year warranty. Every device goes through a comprehensive check of more than 50 points. A refurbished iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy A54 will typically outperform an ageing device that's been running hot for years.
Don't want to simply throw away your old device? You don't have to. Through our trade-in programme we'll give you a fair price on the spot, with payment within 24 hours — taking a solid chunk off the cost of your next purchase.
Overheating and water damage: a dangerous combination
One more thing worth mentioning: if your phone is running hot and you suspect moisture has got inside at some point, have it checked as soon as possible. Heat and moisture dramatically accelerate corrosion on the motherboard. What starts as a slightly warm phone can turn into a device that fails completely within a matter of weeks. Our technicians have specialist equipment to assess and carry out — often with great results, provided you act quickly.
Frequently asked questions
How hot is too hot for a phone?
A phone can comfortably reach around 40°C during intensive use or while charging. That feels warm to the touch but is technically within safe limits. If the device gets hotter than 45°C — at which point it feels genuinely unpleasant to hold — something isn't right and it's worth taking action.
Why does my phone get hot while charging?
Charging always generates some heat, especially with fast charging. But if your phone runs hot during normal charging, the culprit could be an ageing battery, a damaged charging cable, a faulty charging port, or a warm environment. Remove your case while charging and always use an original or certified charger.
Can my phone explode from overheating?
Actual explosions are extremely rare, but a lithium-ion battery that is severely damaged or completely depleted can in theory swell or catch fire — a phenomenon known as thermal runaway. If you notice your battery bulging or detect an unusual smell, put the phone down immediately and bring it in for inspection. Don't take any chances with this.
My phone is running hot and the battery drains quickly — what's causing it?
This is a classic combination that points to an ageing battery. A battery that has lost capacity works less efficiently and generates more heat. In almost every case, the solution is a battery replacement. For most models, we can have it sorted within an hour.
Is it a good idea to put my phone in the fridge if it's hot?
That's not a good idea. The sudden temperature difference causes condensation — moisture — inside the device, which can lead to corrosion and short circuits. Instead, let your phone cool down at room temperature on a flat, hard surface, away from direct sunlight.
When should I have my phone checked for overheating?
Come and see us if: your phone regularly feels uncomfortably hot without intensive use, it shuts itself down automatically due to heat, the battery drains quickly after a full charge, or you notice physical damage such as a bulging screen or warped back panel. Our technicians will inspect the device free of charge and give you honest advice — even if the conclusion is that a repair isn't worth the cost.
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