An Android phone that feels hot should be unplugged, moved somewhere cooler and left alone until it cools down. That is Google's own first instruction for Pixel phones, and Samsung's advice is the same with the addition of closing running apps. Most heat comes from a heavy task, charging at the same time, or a hot environment, and it goes away once you remove the cause.
This guide explains the usual causes, a set of fixes in order from least to most effort, what the phone does to protect itself, and the signs that mean you should stop using the phone and contact the maker. It draws on Google's Pixel help pages and Samsung's support pages, checked on 2026-10-31.
Who this is for and what you will have at the end
This is for anyone whose Android phone gets hotter than it should, whether it is a Pixel, a Samsung Galaxy or another brand. Menu names differ between makers and software versions, so the steps below name the paths Google and Samsung publish, and the general advice applies to any Android phone.
At the end you will have a cool-down routine, a short list of settings that reduce heat, a way to tell normal warmth from a problem, and a clear threshold for when to stop troubleshooting.
What counts as normal warmth
A phone gets warm when its processor, modem, screen and battery work hard. Google's Pixel help page lists the common situations: playing video, games or other media, transferring or restoring backups, recording high-definition video, tethering or using a Wi-Fi hotspot, large downloads or uploads, and setting up or restoring the phone. Doing any of these while the phone charges adds to the heat.
Samsung's support pages say much the same: processor-heavy apps such as games or GPS tracking, running many apps for long periods, the initial setup and data transfer from a previous device, and system or firmware updates all raise the temperature.
So warmth after an hour of navigation, a big restore or a long video call is expected. The problem cases are a phone that is hot when idle, hot after every charge, or too hot to hold.
Common causes
| Cause | Why it heats the phone | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy apps | Games, video, camera recording and navigation keep the processor busy | Google, Samsung |
| Charging while in use | The battery, charger and processor all produce heat at once | Google, Samsung |
| Fast or wireless charging | Samsung notes these can feel warmer | Samsung |
| Damaged or non-certified charger or cable | Samsung lists these as a cause | Samsung |
| Setup, restore, large transfers | Many files and apps are processed at once | Google, Samsung |
| Hotspot or poor signal | The modem works harder | Google, Samsung |
| Hot or enclosed places | Heat cannot escape | Google, Samsung |
| Software updates | Temporary extra processing | Samsung |
Temperature and environment
Samsung says Galaxy devices perform best at ambient temperatures between 32 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and that using them outside that range can cause heat problems. Its list of causes includes sitting near a heat source, being left in a parked car on a hot day, and direct sunlight. Google likewise says to keep the phone out of direct sunlight and hot vehicles and to avoid enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces.
Step 1: Cool the phone down
- Unplug the charger or wireless charging pad.
- Close the apps that are running.
- Move the phone out of the sun to a cooler place. Taking it out of a case is a reasonable extra step, though the official pages only say to use cases made for your model.
- Do not use the phone until it has cooled down.
Let it cool in open air. A Pixel Community video guide warns against putting a hot phone in a fridge or freezer. Charge again only after the phone feels normal.
Step 2: Reduce what the phone is doing
Google's help page for Pixel phones lists the same set of changes that work on most Android phones:
- Stop heavy features such as video calls, camera recording, streaming and long navigation sessions, especially while charging. You can restart them once the phone cools.
- Lower the screen brightness. On a Pixel this is under Settings > Display & touch > Brightness level.
- Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data when you can.
- Turn off a hotspot you are not using.
Samsung also says to turn off Wi-Fi, GPS and Bluetooth when you are not using them, and to delete unused files and apps.
Samsung Galaxy: Device care
Samsung's UK support page describes these steps, and the button is spelled "Optimise now" there (US phones typically show "Optimize now"). Menu names may differ by model and software version.
- Go to Settings > Device care.
- Tap Optimize now, then check the result and tap Done.
- Go to Settings > Device care > Battery and turn on the Power saving switch.
- Tap Background usage limits and turn on Put unused apps to sleep.
Samsung says Power saving limits network use, data sync and background location tracking. The same page mentions Light Mode, which partially reduces maximum processor speed to limit heat and save battery.
Step 3: Fix charging heat
Charging is the most common source of repeat overheating, because the heat appears on a schedule.
- Use a charger and USB cable that are approved for your phone. Samsung says charging with a non-Samsung, incompatible or defective charger or cable can cause overheating, and that a damaged cable can cause heat in the charging port.
- With wireless charging, remove metal objects and cards between the phone and the pad. Samsung also advises charging on a hard, flat surface.
- Do not run heavy apps while the phone charges.
- Google notes that using only cases and covers made for your specific Pixel model helps.
If the heat only happens with one particular charger or cable, replace that accessory first. If it happens with every accessory, move on to the software steps.
Step 4: Check software, apps and background use
Both makers recommend keeping the system and apps updated. Samsung lists updates among its fixes, and notes that an update itself can cause temporary heat while it processes.
- Install pending system updates in Settings, and update apps in the Play Store.
- Restart the phone.
- Look at your battery usage screen for an app that uses far more than the rest. Google links its overheating page to guidance on fixing excessive battery drain, because the two problems often share causes.
- Uninstall or update any app that stays near the top of that list without a reason.
If the phone is hot right after a restore or first setup, give it some time. The apps are still downloading and indexing, and the heat normally fades.
For a phone that is hot only since you installed a particular app, test it in Safe mode. The related guide Android Safe mode: remove a bad app and fix a crashing phone explains how to start the phone with third-party apps disabled and how to remove the culprit.
Step 5: Check the temperature on a Pixel
Recent Pixel phones include a built-in temperature check. Google's page says to open Settings > Battery > Battery diagnostics > Phone is very warm. The page states the feature is for Pixel 6a and later, while Google's other overheating page mentions Pixel 6 and later, so if you do not see the entry, your model may not support it.
The diagnostic reports one of four states:
| State | What Google says it means |
|---|---|
| Cold | Lower than normal. Below 0 C (32 F) the phone may shut down suddenly, so let it warm up gradually |
| Normal | Typical for regular use |
| Warm | Slightly warm but working as expected. Brightness and network speeds may be reduced |
| Elevated | Higher than normal. The phone limits performance and pauses some features, and turns off automatically if it passes safety thresholds |
What the phone does to protect itself
Slowdowns during heat are deliberate. Google says a Pixel that senses it is too hot may reduce CPU performance and charging speed, turn off the camera flash or the camera, partially or fully turn off mobile data or Wi-Fi including 5G, and enter low power mode. If the temperature keeps rising, it may show a warning, enter low power mode and turn off.
Samsung describes the same behavior on Galaxy phones. A phone may power off, close apps, pause charging or dim the display, with messages such as "Cooling down" or "Device overheating." Performance returns to normal afterward. Do not rely on a hot phone for an urgent call, because it may power off.
If a phone turns off from heat, let it cool, then restart it. If it keeps shutting off, Google says to contact Pixel support.
When to stop using it
Stop troubleshooting and contact the manufacturer when any of these apply:
- The phone is still too warm to touch after you have followed the steps above. Samsung says to contact its support in that case.
- It repeatedly shows overheating warnings or shuts down by itself.
- The heat appeared suddenly and nothing in your routine changed.
- The screen or back cover starts to lift away from the body.
Swollen battery
Google's Pixel help page on swollen batteries says a swollen battery can cause the screen to lift, that swelling alone is not considered a hazard, but that a lifted screen lets liquids and dust in and an exposed battery is more easily damaged, which can lead to overheating and possibly injury. Its guidance is:
- Contact the manufacturer to start a repair, or recycle the device according to local rules.
- Back up your data and factory reset the phone before sending it for repair or recycling, if the phone still works.
- Place the phone on a table or countertop and leave it unused for several days so the battery drains naturally.
- Do not press on the glass or back cover to push the battery back in, do not pry the phone open, do not try to repair the battery yourself, and do not throw it in household waste.
Samsung's support material tells owners to stop using a phone with a swollen battery, avoid charging it, and contact Samsung or a repair center. Check warranty coverage before you pay for a repair, because a manufacturing fault is treated differently from an aged battery. The related guide Android phone battery health: check it and improve it covers how to tell whether an aging battery is behind the heat.
Checklist
- Unplug, close apps and move somewhere cool.
- Do not use a fridge or freezer to cool the phone.
- Lower brightness, use Wi-Fi, and turn off hotspot, GPS and Bluetooth when idle.
- On a Galaxy, run Device care, turn on Power saving and put unused apps to sleep.
- Use approved chargers and cables, and do not use heavy apps while charging.
- Install system and app updates, then restart.
- On a Pixel 6a or later, check Settings > Battery > Battery diagnostics > Phone is very warm.
- Contact the manufacturer if the phone stays hot, keeps shutting off, or the screen lifts.
References
- Google Pixel Phone Help, Help keep your Pixel phone from feeling too warm or hot
- Google Pixel Phone Help, Check and understand your Pixel's temperature
- Google Pixel Phone Help, Understand your Pixel battery
- Samsung US Support, Keep your Galaxy device at its normal operating temperature
- Samsung UK Support, Why is my Galaxy phone hot and how to fix it
This guide was researched and drafted with AI assistance and checked against the vendor documentation listed in its References. Read the maintained version and related guides on EpiFive.
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