How to Fix Overheating Issues in Smartphones

Smartphones do a lot these days — stream footy, run work apps, navigate road trips, and keep you chatting with mates. But with all that power, they can run hot. If your phone feels like a heater, don’t panic. In most cases, you can cool things down quickly and stop the problem from coming back. […]

Smartphones do a lot these days — stream footy, run work apps, navigate road trips, and keep you chatting with mates. But with all that power, they can run hot. If your phone feels like a heater, don’t panic. In most cases, you can cool things down quickly and stop the problem from coming back. In this ED Mobile guide, I’ll show you exactly how to fix overheating issues in smartphones, why it happens, and what to do when it won’t quit.

Quick Signs Your Phone Is Overheating

Before we dive into fixes, look for these warning flags:

* The back cover or camera module feels too hot to touch.

* The screen dims and frame rates drop (that’s thermal throttling).

* Charging slows or pauses with a “temperature” alert.

* Battery life plunges even when you’re not using it.

* Apps crash especially games / camera apps.

If any of the above sounds familiar, you are in the right place. Get details on Mobile Repair Shop in Prestons.

Why Phones Overheat (and What’s Really Going On)

There are various triggers, most reduce down to a few root causes:

* Heavy CPU/GPU load: 4K video recording, intense gaming & AR filters too many background apps.

* Poor ventilation: Thick cases, pocket lint or leaving the phone on soft surfaces like a doona block airflow.

* Fast charging and high ambient temps: A combo of 30W+ chargers and a hot car interior is brutal.

* Network strain: Weak signal forces the modem to crank up power.

* Software bugs or malware: Rogue apps loop processes and drain battery health fast.

* Ageing battery: A tired cell creates more heat under load.

Knowing the “why” helps you pick the right “how”.

First Aid: Cool It Down Safely

When your handset gets toasty, act fast — but don’t do anything risky like putting it in the fridge.

Stop the heat source

* Close all apps: swipe away recent apps then force stop any offenders.

* Disable 5G temporarily (Settings → Mobile network) & switch to Wi-Fi if available.

* Turn off Bluetooth, GPS & Hotspot if you’re not using them.

Help heat escape

* Take off the phone case.

* Place it on a hard, cool place out of the direct sun.

* Point a desk fan at it for a few minutes. (No ice packs, sudden temp shock is risky.)

Reduce screen and charge stress

* Drop brightness to 30–40%.

* Pause charging until the device cools; fast charging generates heat.

* If you must charge, use a standard speed charger.

Usually, you’ll feel it cool within several minutes. If not, power the phone off for 5–10 minutes. Lookig for a Phone Repair in ED Park?

The Everyday Fixes (That Actually Work)

Let’s prevent the next flare-up. These steps are quick, practical, and they stick.

1) Update and Optimise Software

* Update the OS and apps: Vendors push thermal management tweaks with updates.

* Restart daily (or every couple of days): It clears stuck processes.

* Disable auto-start for heavy apps you don’t need at boot.

2) Tame Background Activity

* Head to Battery settings → Battery usage & identify power hogs.

* Turn on Battery Saver/ Adaptive Battery.

* Limit background refresh for socials that ping constantly.

* Remove duplicate antivirus, VPNs, or cleaners — they often fight each other and heat things up.

3) Charge Smarter

* Use certified chargers and cables. Off-brand gear can overheat.

* Avoid charging under the pillow, on a doona or in a car dash in summer.

* If your phone supports it, enable Optimised Charging to slow down at high percentages.

* Prefer wired over wireless charging when the phone already runs warm.

4) Adjust Performance (When You Need To)

* Many Android phones have a Performance or Game mode. Choose Balanced instead of Turbo.

* Drop graphics settings in games (lower resolution, frame rate, and shadows).

* Turn off Always-On Display and heavy widgets on older handsets.

5) Improve Signal & Settings

* Poor reception = hot modem. Therefore, switch to Wi-Fi calling indoors.

* In lift shafts or bush areas with no bars, enable Airplane Mode to stop the radio hunting.

* Turn off 5G if it’s flaky in your suburb; 4G is cooler and more stable.

6) Keep It Clean, Inside and Out

* Dust the charge port, speaker grilles and case vents with a soft brush.

* Uninstall old apps you don’t use.

* Run a malware scan with a trusted tool; shady apps mine data & cook your CPU. Get details on Mobile Repair Shop in Ingleburn.

Situational Heat: Camera, Maps, and Aussie Summer

Certain features naturally run hot, even on premium models:

* 4K/8K video and night mode photography hammer the processor.

* Navigation with the screen on and mobile data active heats everything.

* Summer in Australia isn’t gentle — ambient temperature matters heaps.

What to do:

* Shorten filming sessions; give the phone a minute to breathe between takes.

* Mount the phone away from the windscreen hotspot; use a vent mount.

* Keep a sun shade in the car and never leave the phone on the dash.

Hardware Clues: When It’s Not Just Software

Sometimes the hardware’s telling you a story.

* Battery swelling: If the back lifts or you notice a gap by the frame, stop using it.

* Hotspot heating near the camera during light tasks could mean a board or modem issue.

* Instant overheating while idle might indicate water ingress or a serious short.

At that point, DIY isn’t wise. Book a diagnostic with ED Mobile so we can test battery health, run thermal maps, and evaluate thermal paste / pads where serviceable. Looking for a Phone Repair in Wetherill Park?

Myth Busting: What Not to Do

* Freezer trick: Moisture condensation kills phones.

* Constant task killer apps: They often increase heat by relaunching services.

* Cheap magnetic heat sinks on the wrong spot: They can interfere with NFC or wireless charging.

* Perma-max brightness: Looks nice outside, but bakes the panel and SoC.

A Simple Cooling Checklist

  1. Remove case → move to shade → fan for 2–3 minutes.
  2. Close heavy apps → toggle Airplane Mode → drop brightness.
  3. Pause charging → switch to standard charger later.
  4. After cooling, update apps → enable Battery Saver → clean up background refresh.
  5. If it repeats daily, check for poor signal or a dud app; scan for malware.
  6. Still hot? Time for a pro diagnostic at ED Mobile.

When to Visit ED Mobile

You’ve tried the lot, and it’s still running like a toaster? Pop in and we’ll:

* Run a full thermal profile under load.

* Check battery cycles and internal resistance.

* Inspect charge IC, modem, and antenna pathways.

* Replace thermal pads or the battery if they’re worn.

* Update firmware and calibrate charging properly.

Small note — if your device has had a cheap back-yard repair before, heat problems can linger due to missing screws, poor pad placement, or knock-off batteries. We see this heaps. We’ll sort it. Get details on Phone Repair in Bossley Park.

ED Mobile’s Pro Tips

* Charge between 20 to 80% most days; top to 100% only when needed.

* Keep at least 10 to 15% free storage for smooth app behaviour.

* Avoid gaming while charging & certainly not in the car on a hot day.

* Use original cases or reputable brands that don’t trap heat.

* Reboot once a week. It’s boring advice. It works.

Related Articles:

» How to Fix iPhone Overheating Issue?

» Overheating Issues: How a Repair Service Can Save Your Phone?

» How to Fix a Phone That Won’t Turn On?

» How to Improve Your Phone’s User Experience?

» How to Fix a Phone That Won’t Charge?

» How to Customize Your Phone for Better Usability?

» Top 10 Common Phone Issues and How to Fix Them?

» How to Repair a Cracked Phone Screen?

» Screen Replacement: How to Know When It’s Time?

» How to Fix Software Glitches on Your Phone?

Smart Solutions for Smartphone Overheating

Overheating doesn’t mean your smartphone is cooked for good. With a few steady habits battery optimisation, software updates ,smarter charging and being mindful of ambient temperature . You’ll keep things cool and extend your phone’s life. And if stubborn heat sticks around, the ED Mobile team can run a proper diagnostic and get you back to smooth sailing, no sweat.

FAQs: How to Fix Overheating Issues in Smartphones

1) Why does my phone overheat only when I am on 5G?
Because 5G radios use more power in patchy coverage. Consequently, the phone ramps transmit power, which generates heat. Try 4G in weak-signal areas or enable Wi-Fi calling.
Often yes. Inductive coils waste energy as heat. If your phone already runs warm, switch to wired charging and remove the case.
Absolutely. Thick or rubbery cases trap heat. Meanwhile, some rugged cases lack airflow. Remove the case when gaming or filming.
In moderation. Constantly force-killing everything can backfire; however, shutting down clearly misbehaving apps (e.g., stuck nav, buggy social app) helps heaps.
Not really. They are mostly marketing. Instead, use built in update software, Battery Saver and reduce screen brightness.
Most phones throttle around 40–45°C skin temperature. If you see temperature warnings or feel uncomfortable heat, stop heavy tasks and cool the device.
Yes. Heat speeds up lithium-ion ageing, shrinking capacity and causing voltage sag. Protecting battery health now saves money later.
To a point, yes. 4K/8K plus stabilisation is intense. Record in shorter bursts, lower resolution, and keep the phone out of direct sunlight.
It could. A dodgy app running hidden processes will spike CPU. Therefore, uninstall recent unknown apps and scan with a trusted security app.
Not by itself. But fast charging while gaming or in a hot car piles heat on heat. Use standard charging when the phone already feels warm.
No need. Just toggle it off when coverage is poor. Balanced settings will reduce modem heat without giving up speed forever.
If the phone overheats while idle, the back is swelling, or it gets hot minutes after boot, bring it to ED Mobile. Likely a battery or hardware fault, and it wont fix itself.