Phone overheating in India: 9 fixes

Who this is for

Android and iPhone owners whose phone becomes hot during maps, video calls, gaming or charging in the heat.

Why phones get hot in summer

A little warmth is normal. Apple says a phone feels warmer when you set it up, restore a backup, update, charge wirelessly, play heavy games, use the camera or stream high-quality video. Google lists video calls, HD recording, navigation, hotspot use and heavy downloads for Pixel phones.

Heat from the weather adds to heat from the phone. Apple designs iPhone and iPad for ambient temperatures between 0 and 35 °C. In peak summer, outdoor temperature in many Indian cities can go above that. A phone on a scooter dashboard, in a parked car or in direct sunlight starts the day already hot.

When the phone gets too hot it protects itself. Apple and Google both say it can slow down, dim the screen, slow or stop charging, weaken the mobile signal or turn off the camera flash.

9 fixes that help

• 1. Get out of the sun. Never leave the phone in a parked car or on a dashboard. Google and Apple both name direct sunlight and hot cars as causes.
• 2. Take the case off. Samsung lists using the phone in a case as a common reason for heat and suggests removing it to help airflow. Use only cases made for your phone.
• 3. Lower the brightness. A bright screen in daylight is one of the heaviest loads. Samsung and Google both suggest reducing brightness.
• 4. Close apps you are not using. On Samsung, open Settings, then Device care, to see apps with high battery use or background activity.
• 5. Do not play or record while charging. Google says using resource-heavy apps while charging can overheat the phone. Charge first, play later.
• 6. Use the right charger and cable. Samsung asks for a certified charger and warns against uncertified third-party chargers. See our guide to checking a charger’s BIS number.
• 7. Update and restart. Samsung recommends installing software updates, which include thermal management fixes, and restarting to clear app conflicts.
• 8. Switch off what you do not use. Samsung suggests turning off Wi-Fi, location and Bluetooth when not needed. Google suggests Wi-Fi instead of mobile data where possible. A weak signal also makes a phone work harder.
• 9. Free up storage. Samsung suggests deleting files and uninstalling apps you do not use so the phone is not struggling.

Habits for an Indian summer

Most overheating is a mix of sun, heavy use and charging at the same moment. A few habits remove the worst of it.

• Mount the phone out of the sun. Samsung names running navigation while the phone sits in direct sunlight inside a car as a common cause. Keep it out of the sun between uses and use voice directions where you can.
• Charge in the shade, not while gaming. Plug in at a desk or in a cool room and leave the phone alone while it charges.
• Watch for weak signal. Samsung lists poor signal conditions and hotspot or tethering use as heat causes. Switch to Wi-Fi at home and share your connection only when you must.
• Use a certified charger and an undamaged cable. Samsung warns against charging with a damaged USB cable or a port with dust or moisture in it.

When the phone is too hot right now

• Unplug the charger and move the phone to shade or a cooler room.
• Stop using it until it has cooled. Google gives the same advice.
• If an iPhone shows a temperature warning, Apple says to turn it off, move it away from sunlight and let it cool.
• If it shows Charging On Hold, wait. Apple says charging resumes when the phone returns to normal temperature.
• Do not use a freezer or fridge. This is general advice, not from the manufacturers above: sudden cold can cause condensation inside the phone.

When to worry or visit service

Very hot conditions can permanently shorten battery life, says Apple. If the phone is under warranty, go to the maker’s service centre rather than a roadside repair shop.

Related guides

• How to spot a fake phone charger in India
• Can you charge your phone overnight?