Quick answer
Overheating is most often caused by demanding background apps, charging while the phone performs heavy tasks, poor signal, or physical environment (sun, pillow, thick case). Immediately turn off the screen and remove the case, stop charging, close demanding apps, and check if the phone heats up even when idle. If it overheats without load or shuts down by itself, contact service.
How to recognize the problem
- The back and frame of the phone are hot to the touch, sometimes uncomfortably
- The phone slows down, the screen dims, or apps close
- An overheating message appears or the phone shuts down by itself
- The battery drains quickly while the phone is idle
- Charging stops or takes longer than usual
Most common causes
Demanding background apps
Games, navigation, camera, and apps that constantly run in the background keep the processor under high load. The phone then uses more energy and heats up even when you're not using it.
Charging under load
If the phone charges while you play a game, watch video, or share internet, both the battery and processor heat up simultaneously. Fast chargers and wireless charging further raise the temperature.
Poor signal and constant network searching
In a weak signal area, the modem works at full power and heats the phone. The same applies to an enabled hotspot and unstable Wi-Fi connection.
Physical environment
Direct sunlight, a pillow, bedding, a thick case, or a phone in a closed bag prevent heat dissipation. Summer temperatures in a car are especially risky.
Damaged battery or hardware
An old or swollen battery, as well as a board fault, can cause overheating without any load. This is the most serious cause and requires service.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Immediately reduce the load
Lock the phone and leave it on a flat, hard surface in the shade. Remove the case and stop charging if it's plugged in. Don't put it in the fridge or freezer because condensation can cause damage.
- 2
Close demanding apps
Open the recent apps overview (swipe up from the bottom or the recent button) and remove games, navigation, and camera. If the phone heats up while idle, in battery settings review battery usage by app and find the app that uses the most.
- 3
Check what's running in the background
In
Settings > Appsselect the suspicious app and openBattery, then restrict it by choosing "Restricted" (if available). For apps that don't need to run constantly, turn off background activity permission. - 4
Turn off unnecessary connections and features
Temporarily turn off hotspot, Bluetooth, and location if you don't need them. In mobile network or SIM card settings, check if 5G is enabled; in a weak area, switching to 4G often reduces heating.
- 5
Reduce brightness and screen refresh rate
Set brightness to automatic and a lower level, and in
Settings > Displayreduce refresh rate to 60 Hz if it was set higher (the option may be called "Refresh rate" or "Motion smoothness"). Turn off animations and always-on display until the phone cools down. - 6
Update system and apps
Open
Settings > Software updateandPlay Store > Manage apps and deviceand install available updates. Software bugs often cause excessive processor usage and may be fixed in a newer version. - 7
Test in safe mode
If overheating continues, boot into safe mode (long-press the power button, then long-press the power off or restart option and select safe mode). If the phone doesn't heat up in safe mode, the culprit is an app you installed yourself; remove them one by one.
- 8
Check battery and charger
Use an original or certified charger and cable, and don't charge the phone overnight under a pillow. In
Settings > Batterycheck battery health if the option is available; a swollen battery or damaged cable requires replacement.
If nothing helped
If the phone heats up even in safe mode, while idle and not charging, the problem is likely hardware or battery. Before service, back up your data and photos, as repair may require wiping the phone. Don't open the phone yourself and don't try to replace the battery without tools and experience, as a swollen battery poses a fire risk. If the phone is under warranty, contact the seller or an authorized service center. In the meantime, turn it off and keep it in a cool, dry place, away from flammable materials, and don't try to charge it again until it has completely cooled down.
How to prevent it
- Don't play games or watch video while the phone is charging
- Remove the case during fast charging and leave the phone on a hard surface
- Avoid direct sunlight and leaving the phone in a car
- Regularly update the system and remove apps you don't use
When to call a professional
If the phone overheats even when idle, shuts down by itself, or the battery is swollen, don't continue trying on your own. Contact service or IT support who can check the hardware and preserve your data before repair.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
Is overheating dangerous for the phone?
Occasional heating during demanding work is normal, but prolonged overheating accelerates battery aging and can damage components. If the phone frequently gets hot without load, don't ignore it.
Can I put the phone in the fridge to cool down?
No. A sudden temperature change creates condensation and moisture inside the casing, which can cause a malfunction. Leave the phone in the shade at room temperature and wait for it to cool down on its own.
Why does the phone heat up only while charging?
Charging itself generates heat, and fast and wireless chargers increase it. If you also use the phone during charging, the heating adds up; stop using it until it's charged or use a slower charger.