Merced Summer Heat and Your Phone: How Heat Damages Batteries
Central Valley summers regularly pass 100°F. Here is how heat wears out phone batteries and how to protect yours.
Read More »Quick answer
Phones overheat from sun and hot cars, charging while gaming or streaming, cheap chargers, stuck apps, or an aging or swollen battery. Cool it in the shade without the case and unplug it. If it gets hot while idle or charging with a good charger, the battery or charging port needs checking.
Phones get warm during heavy use, but a phone that gets hot often, or hot when you are not doing much, needs attention. Heat is hard on batteries, and in a Merced summer it happens fast.
Common causes of overheating
- Sun and hot cars. A phone on the dashboard or in direct sun heats up quickly.
- Charging while using it heavily, such as gaming or video calls while plugged in.
- Cheap chargers and cables that deliver unstable power.
- Apps running in the background or a stuck app using the processor.
- An aging or swollen battery.
- A damaged charging port with corrosion or bent pins.
What to do right now
- Move the phone out of the sun and take it out of the case.
- Unplug it and close open apps.
- Let it cool naturally. Never put a phone in the fridge or freezer, because condensation can damage it.
- Restart it once it has cooled down.
When overheating needs repair
- It gets hot even when you are not using it
- It gets hot while charging with a known good charger
- The battery drains very fast or the phone shuts off
- The screen or back is lifting, which can mean a swollen battery. Stop charging it and bring it in.
Read more about signs your battery needs replacement.
Battery and charging repair at ART & FIX
We test the battery and charging system, find what is causing the heat, and give you a free estimate before any work begins. Most battery replacements are done the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to put a hot phone in the fridge?
No. Condensation can damage the phone. Let it cool naturally in the shade with the case removed.
Can a bad battery make my phone overheat?
Yes. An aging or swollen battery is a common cause of heat, especially while charging.
Why does my phone get hot while charging?
Using it heavily while charging, a low-quality charger, or a failing battery or charging port can all cause heat.
Phone repair in Merced at ART & FIX
ART & FIX repairs phones, tablets, laptops, and computers at 1034 W. 18th Street, Merced, CA 95340. We are open every day, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, and every repair comes with a 30-day repair warranty.
Call or text (209) 446-7200 before you come, or send us your device model and problem for a free estimate.
