It's normal for an iPhone to get warm while charging, gaming, navigating or setting up after an update. It's not normal if it's hot while idle, gets hot when it's barely used, shows the temperature warning often, or the battery swells. Take off the case, stop charging and move it out of the sun. If it keeps happening, the battery or a short on the logic board may be to blame.
Normal warmth vs overheating
Your iPhone turns energy into heat whenever it works hard, so some warmth is expected. It should cool down once you stop.
Real overheating is different. The phone feels hot rather than warm, it stays hot when you're not using it, or you see the warning that your iPhone needs to cool down before you can use it. Some features may stop, like charging, the flash or the display brightness.
Everyday causes
- Direct sun, a hot car or a dashboard mount.
- Charging while gaming, streaming or using navigation.
- Weak signal, which makes the phone work harder to stay connected.
- The first day or two after an update or restore, while it re-indexes photos and data in the background.
- Using a hotspot, navigation and music at the same time.
What to do right now
- Move it out of the sun or the hot car.
- Take off the case so heat can escape.
- Unplug the charger.
- Close games and other heavy apps.
- Let it cool at room temperature. Don't put it in the fridge or freezer, because condensation can form inside.
How heat affects your battery
Heat is the biggest factor in how quickly an iPhone battery wears out. A phone that regularly gets hot, especially while charging, loses capacity faster than one kept cool. Over time that means shorter battery life and, eventually, the Service message in Settings → Battery → Battery Health.
It works the other way too: a worn battery has higher internal resistance, so it can run warmer than it did when it was new. If your iPhone has started getting hot and the battery health is low, the two are probably connected. See iPhone battery health, explained.
Check for a misbehaving app
Open Settings → Battery and look at which apps are using the most power. An app using a lot of battery in the background can keep the phone warm. Update or delete it, and turn off Background App Refresh for apps that don't need it.
Then restart the iPhone and update iOS. Software bugs that keep the processor busy are often fixed in updates.
Location-heavy apps are common culprits. In Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services, change apps that don't need your location all the time to While Using the App.
Signs it's a hardware problem
- It's hot while sitting idle or overnight.
- The battery drains fast while the phone is hot.
- One spot gets much hotter than the rest of the phone.
- It gets warm even while it's turned off.
- It started after liquid exposure or a drop.
- The screen is lifting or the back is bulging. That can mean a swollen battery. Stop charging it.
How it's fixed
A worn battery is the most common cause, and a battery replacement starts at $49.99. A phone that heats up while doing nothing can have a short circuit on the logic board, often after liquid. That needs a board-level diagnosis. If it got wet, start with water damage repair.
Frequently asked questions
Can overheating damage my iPhone?
Repeated heat ages the battery faster and can shorten its life. That's why the iPhone limits features when it gets too hot.
Is it safe to charge my iPhone overnight?
Generally, yes. Turn on Optimized Battery Charging, and don't charge it under a pillow or blanket where heat can't escape.
Why does my iPhone get hot while charging?
Some warmth is normal, especially with fast or wireless charging. If it gets very hot, try a different cable and adapter, and check the port for lint or damage.
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