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Why is my Android phone getting hot?

By the AndroidAnswers Editorial Team · Updated

About 5 minutes · Battery & charging

Illustration of a phone showing a thermometer icon, with a sun shape on one side and a snowflake on the other

Steps to check

  1. Cool the phone first

    If the phone feels too hot, unplug the charger, stop using it, and move it to a cooler, ventilated place. Pixel and Samsung both say to wait until it cools before you keep charging or using demanding apps. Do not put it in a freezer or under ice. A cool room and time are enough.

  2. Remove the case and leave heavy work for later

    Take off a thick or poorly fitting case so heat can leave the phone. Close video calls, games, camera recording, navigation, hotspot, and large downloads while it cools. Google notes these tasks (and doing them while charging) are common reasons a phone feels warm.

  3. Lower brightness and turn off extras you are not using

    Open Settings and lower screen brightness. Turn off Bluetooth, location (GPS), hotspot, or unused radios if you do not need them right now. Prefer Wi-Fi over mobile data when you can. Samsung also suggests a Standard (lower) refresh rate when heat is a problem, if your phone offers that choice.

    Samsung Settings → Display → Brightness; Settings → Display → Motion smoothness (Standard). Settings → Connections to turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Mobile Hotspot when unused.Pixel Settings → Display & touch → Brightness level. Settings → Network & internet to turn off hotspot or unused connections. On Pixel 6 and later: Settings → Battery → Battery diagnostics → Phone is very warm for guided tips.

  4. Restart, then check which apps use the most battery

    Restart the phone after it cools. Open Battery settings and look at Battery usage. An app working hard in the background often shows near the top. If heat returns quickly with light use, try Safe mode (varies by phone) to see whether a downloaded app is involved, then remove recent apps one at a time.

    Samsung Settings → Battery and device care → Battery (or Settings → Battery) → view usage details.Pixel Settings → Battery → Battery usage. For recurring heat with drain, also review Adaptive Battery and high-drain features such as hotspot.

  5. Charge smarter when heat returns during charging

    Charging (especially fast or wireless charging) can make a phone feel warmer. If it gets hot on the charger, unplug, let it cool, then charge again with a compatible cable and adapter in a cooler place. Avoid charging under a pillow or in direct sun. Do not place metal objects between the phone and a wireless pad.

  6. When heat is not normal

    Mild warmth during setup, updates, gaming, navigation, or charging is common. Seek help if the phone shows an overheating warning, feels painfully hot at rest, shuts itself off to cool repeatedly, or stays hot with almost no use after the steps above. Contact your phone maker or an authorized repair center. Keep the phone away from heaters, hot cooking equipment, and closed cars in summer heat.

Normal vs. not

Usually normal

Feeling warm during gaming, video calls, navigation, large downloads, first-time setup, or while fast charging or wireless charging, then cooling after you stop.

Worth a closer look

An overheating warning, the phone shutting down from heat, or staying uncomfortably hot while idle after you cool it and close heavy apps.

What people are saying

Common questions

Is it safe if my phone feels warm while charging?

Mild warmth can be normal, especially with fast or wireless charging. If it feels too hot, unplug it, let it cool, then try again with a compatible charger in a cooler place.

Why does my phone slow down when it is hot?

Many phones limit performance, charging speed, camera flash, or data when they sense high heat. That is a safety feature. Let the phone cool, then use it normally again.

Should I put my hot phone in the fridge?

No. Sudden cold and moisture can cause new problems. Set it in a normal cool room, unplugged, and wait.

Sources we checked

Menu names can differ by phone brand and Android version. See our editorial policy for how we check steps.