11 Tips To Stop Your Phone From Overheating

11 Ways to Stop Your Phone from Overheating

Phones run warm under load, but persistent heat can drain the battery, throttle performance, and even cause long-term damage. Try these practical fixes and habits to cool things down and keep your device healthy.

1. Close Unused Apps

Reduce background activity to ease CPU/GPU load. On iPhone, double-press the Home button or swipe up and hold to view open apps, then swipe up to close. On Android, open the recent apps view and swipe away apps you’re not using.

2. Avoid Direct Sunlight

Keep your phone out of the sun (car dash, window sills, outdoor mounts). If it’s already hot, move it to shade and in front of a vent or fan to help it cool more quickly.

3. Limit Gaming and Video Streaming

Graphics-heavy games and HD/4K streaming push the CPU/GPU hard. Run fewer power-hungry apps at once and close other apps while you play or stream.

4. Reduce Screen Brightness

Lowering brightness immediately cuts power draw and heat. Shorten screen timeout, and consider an anti-glare screen protector so you can comfortably use lower brightness outdoors.

5. Disable Background App Refresh

Prevent constant background updates that tax the battery and generate heat.
iPhone: Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Off (or choose specific apps).
Android: Settings > Apps > All apps > (Select app) > Battery/Background restriction > Restricted. Note: Restricting background activity may limit notifications for those apps.

6. Clear App Caches

Old cached data can cause sluggish performance and excess work. Clear it periodically.
iPhone: Settings > General > iPhone Storage > (Select app) > Offload App.
Android: Settings > Apps > All apps > (Select app) > Storage & cache > Clear cache.

7. Update Apps and Software

Updates often fix bugs and inefficiencies that cause overheating. Enable automatic updates or schedule them for off-peak times (e.g., overnight while plugged in).

8. Use a Heat-Dissipating Case

Some cases trap heat. A heat-dissipating case—especially ones using graphene—helps pull heat away from the phone while protecting it.

9. Remove the Case When Charging

Charging naturally produces heat. If your phone feels warm on the charger, remove the case to improve airflow and let heat escape.

10. Use a Phone Cooling Attachment

Clip-on coolers with small fans draw heat away during long gaming or streaming sessions. Choose one compatible with your device and mount.

11. Use the Right Charger

Stick with quality, compatible chargers and cables. Poorly made accessories can overheat and pose safety risks. Wireless charging can also add heat—use it in a cool, shaded spot and avoid stacking tasks while charging.