Why Is My Phone Overheating? Causes and What to Do
A warm phone is normal sometimes. A phone that gets hot often can be a sign of a battery or charging problem. Here is how to tell.
Read More »Quick answer
Heat is one of the main causes of early battery wear. In Merced summers, avoid leaving your phone in a parked car or in direct sun, and do not charge it while it is hot. If your battery drains fast, swells, or the phone shuts off, a battery replacement usually fixes it the same day.
Summer afternoons in Merced and the rest of the Central Valley often go well above 100°F, and a parked car gets much hotter than that. Lithium-ion batteries do not like heat. Every hot day wears them down a little faster.
What heat does to your phone
- Faster battery wear: the battery holds less charge over time and drains faster.
- Swelling: a badly worn battery can swell and push the screen or back glass out.
- Shutdowns: your phone may show a temperature warning or turn off to protect itself.
- Slow charging: phones slow down charging when they are hot.
How to protect your phone in the summer
- Never leave your phone on the dashboard or in a parked car.
- Keep it out of direct sun at the park, pool, or on the job site.
- Take thick cases off while charging on hot days.
- Let a hot phone cool down in the shade before charging. Do not put it in the fridge or freezer.
- Avoid gaming or GPS navigation while the phone is charging in a hot car.
When to replace the battery
If your phone dies before the end of the day, shuts off above 20%, or the screen looks lifted, the battery is likely worn or swollen. A swollen battery should be replaced right away. Stop charging it and bring it in.
Book your repair
ART & FIX is at 1034 W. 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340, open every day from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Our service is appointment-based, so call or text (209) 446-7200 or request an appointment online before you come. You get a free estimate before any work starts, and every repair has a 30-day repair warranty.
