Why Does My Phone Get Hot When Charging? Causes, Risks & Fixes

Picked up your phone mid-charge and noticed it felt unusually warm—maybe even hot to the touch? If so, you’re not alone. One of the most common concerns among smartphone users today is: why does my phone get hot when charging?

While modern smartphones are designed to handle a certain level of heat, excessive warmth can be a sign of underlying issues that shouldn’t be ignored. In this article, we’ll explore the key reasons your phone might heat up during charging, the potential risks, and practical tips to keep your device cool, safe, and performing at its best.

Alt: Man using phone while charging

Why Does Your Phone Get Hot When Charging?

Your phone heats up during charging for many reasons. Some are related to how you charge it, while others involve how you use it.

Fast Charging

Modern fast chargers deliver higher power levels to reduce charging time. This increased energy flow can generate more heat, especially if the phone’s thermal management isn’t optimized.

Overcharging

Phones today are smart—they stop charging when full. But that doesn’t always mean the battery rests. Some devices still get small amounts of power after hitting 100%. This is called trickle charging. It can create extra heat, especially in older phones or ones with worn batteries.

Wireless Charging

Wireless charging is convenient, but the coils in the pad and the phone leak a bit more of the incoming power as warmth, especially through a thick case.

Using Your Phone While Charging

Using your phone while it’s charging puts double the stress on it. The battery is working to charge, and the processor is busy running apps. Streaming, browsing, or video calling during this time makes the phone hotter. Heavy apps like high-performance games or video editors cause even more heat.

Background Processes

Apps running in the background, system updates, or syncing can increase processor activity during charging, leading to additional heat generation.

Poor Ventilation

Phones release heat while working. If you charge your phone in tight spaces or on a soft surface—like a bed, couch, or under a pillow—it traps heat. Without airflow, the heat builds up quickly. Fire‑safety agencies warn that the “under‑the‑pillow” habit is one of the biggest residential fire risks.

Low-Quality or Damaged Cables and Adapters

If your phone gets hot while charging, it could also be because of a faulty cable or a broken adapter. Knock‑off accessories may skip the safety circuitry that limits voltage and current, forcing the phone’s protection system to bleed off excess energy as heat. Chargers that are not made for your phone can also overload it.

Aging Batteries

As batteries age, they become less efficient. They take longer to charge and give off more heat. If your phone heats up often while charging and the battery drains fast, it may be time for a replacement.

Heat from the Environment

Charging your phone in a hot place can raise its temperature. Direct sunlight, closed cars, or warm rooms can push the phone past safe levels.

Malware or Viruses

Some harmful apps run in the background and steal power. These apps use the processor nonstop, heating up the device.

What Are the Dangers of a Phone Getting Hot While Charging?

A little warmth while charging is normal, but sustained or extreme heat is your phone’s way of waving a red flag. Here’s why you shouldn’t ignore it:

Permanent Battery Wear

Every 10 °C rise above room temperature accelerates the chemical reactions that eat away at battery capacity, so an always-toasty phone ages faster.

Automatic Slow-Downs and Charge Pauses

iOS, Android and most battery management chips pause or throttle charging and cut CPU speed to protect internal components when temperatures climb past safe thresholds, leading to sudden dimming, lag or a “Charging on Hold” alert.

Burns, Melted Cases, and House-Fire Risks

A phone or charger that can’t vent heat — say, under a blanket — can scorch skin or ignite bedding, a scenario firefighters warn about regularly.

Battery Swelling and Hardware Damage

Chronic overheating can cause gas pockets inside the cell, pushing the screen or back cover outward and sometimes cracking the chassis.

Thermal Runaway — Worst-Case Scenario

In a defective or over‑voltage battery, heat can trigger a chain reaction that races past 150 °C in seconds, venting flammable gases and, in rare cases, causing fires or explosions.

Tips to Prevent Overheating While Charging

Now that you know what causes the heat, here’s how to keep your phone cooler and healthier while charging:

Use Quality Accessories

Stick with the charger that came in the box or use a certified replacement. Branded or MFi/USB‑IF–approved chargers and cables speak the same language as your phone’s power‑management chip, so they feed it only the voltage and current it can safely handle.

If you’re shopping for a replacement, look for gallium‑nitride (GaN) hardware: it’s smaller, runs cooler, and wastes less energy than old‑school silicon. Anker’s Prime series is a solid, safety‑certified pick. Here’re three flavors that fit different charging styles:

Want a mini power-station for your desk? Check out the Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 Ports, GaN). Four USB-C ports (each up to 100W) plus two USB-A let you juice a 16-inch laptop, tablet, phone, and earbuds at once without throttling. GaN electronics and ActiveShield 2.0 keep the brick cooler and safer while a deck-of-cards-sized body tucks neatly behind a monitor.

Alt: Anker Prime Charger (200W, 6 Ports, GaN)

Prefer something smaller and more portable? The Anker Prime Charger (100W, 3 Ports, GaN) is the carry-on workhorse. At just 1.7 × 1.1 × 2.7 in and 6 oz, it disappears in a laptop sleeve yet still offers two USB-C and one USB-A port with full 100W single-port—and 89W shared—output. ActiveShield 2.0 checks temps three million times a day, so your phone stays cool even when you’re topping up a MacBook at the same time.

Alt: Anker Prime Charger (100W, 3 Ports, GaN)

The Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports) A2343 gives you the same wattage yet extra stability. A slightly broader shell hides thicker, textured prongs that grip the outlet more securely—handy for loose café sockets. It’s 43 % smaller than Apple’s 96W MacBook brick, runs on GaNPrime with real-time temperature sensing, and fast-charges three devices at once without breaking a sweat.

Alt: Anker Prime 100W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports)

Give Your Phone Room to Breathe

Place it on a hard, flat surface—think desk or bedside table, not pillow or couch cushion—and avoid stacking it under books or laptops while it charges.

Pop Off Thick or Insulated Cases

Even a rugged case can trap heat. Removing it during a top-up lets the aluminum frame and glass back radiate warmth instead of bottling it up.

Skip Heavy Tasks While You Charge

Streaming 4K video, gaming, or running GPS navigation forces the processor and radios to crank away at full power. A quick social scroll is fine; a Fortnite marathon can wait.

Dial Back Fast Charging When You Don’t Need It

Many phones let you toggle “optimized” or “adaptive” charging in settings; enabling it slows the rate once the battery passes about 80 %, which keeps temps—and long-term battery wear—lower.

Keep It Out of The Sun (and Hot Cars)

Ambient heat stacks on top of charging heat. If you’re topping up at the beach or on a dashboard mount, shade the phone or crack a window.

Update Your Software

iOS and Android patches often refine battery-management logic, smoothing out temperature spikes during charging.

Know When to Unplug

If the phone feels hotter than “warm mug of coffee” territory, slip the cable out, let it cool for a few minutes, and double-check the charger or cable for damage before plugging back in.

Also, don’t leave your phone on the charger for too long. Once it hits 100%, unplug it. Overnight charging isn’t always safe, especially for older phones.

Remove Faulty Apps

Some apps keep crashing or using too much battery. Uninstall them to stop them from adding stress to the system. Fewer active apps mean less heat.

Check Battery Health

Most phones let you check battery health in the settings. If you see poor battery performance, get it checked. A weak battery gets hot more easily and may need to be replaced.

Conclusion

When you catch yourself asking, “why does my phone get hot when charging?”, it’s often a mix of hardware doing its thing, background apps, or a sketchy cable. The good news? Most of it is preventable. Simple changes like switching to a reliable charger, closing power-hungry apps, or just giving your phone some breathing room while charging can make a big difference. A cooler phone means safer charging, better battery life, and fewer headaches for you.

FAQs

Is it normal for a phone to get hot while charging?

Yes, it’s normal for a phone to get slightly warm while charging, especially if you’re using fast charging or running apps in the background. However, if your phone feels very hot or heats up quickly, it may be due to a poor-quality charger, a software issue, or a battery problem. In that case, it’s best to take action to prevent damage.

How do I stop my phone from overheating?

To stop your phone from overheating, charge it in a cool, ventilated area and avoid using it while plugged in. Use only high-quality, compatible chargers and cables. Turn off unused features like Bluetooth or GPS, and keep apps and software updated. If the battery is old or degraded, consider getting it replaced to prevent excess heat buildup.

Should I be worried if my phone is hot?

If your phone is just slightly warm, it’s usually not a concern. But if it’s too hot to touch or overheats often while charging, it could damage the battery or internal parts. Frequent overheating may also be a sign of a faulty charger, an old battery, or software issues. In that case, it’s a good idea to investigate and fix the cause.