Don’t Get Burned: Tips to Avoid an Overheating Phone

If overheating becomes a common problem (and the phone is not exposed to the other situations mentioned in this gallery), a faulty or failing battery could be the cause.

First see what the phone tells you: on the iPhonego to Settings > Battery and check Battery status. On Android go to Settings > Battery > Battery Diagnostics (pixel) or Settings > Battery & device concern (Samsung). If functionality is reduced, it may be time to schedule a battery replacement.

And if the phone bulges, cracks, or shows other signs of a swollen battery, turn it off and contact the company’s support programs immediately. That’s a less likely circumstance, but with lithium-ion batteries you don’t want to mess with safety.