Phone overheating while gaming? Causes and fixes

A phone overheating while gaming is usually caused by the processor, graphics chip, screen and radio all working hard at the same time, often made worse by charging, a thick case or a warm room. The fixes are simple: lower the game's graphics, stop charging while you play, take the case off, and give the phone short breaks.

Why phones get hot during games

Games are among the most demanding things a phone does. During a match:

• The processor and graphics chip run near their highest speeds for long stretches.
• The screen is bright and may be refreshing at 90 Hz or 120 Hz.
• The Wi-Fi or mobile radio is sending and receiving data constantly.
• The battery is discharging quickly, which itself produces heat.

Phones have no fans. They spread heat through their frame and glass, so they rely on the air around them to cool down. When heat is produced faster than it escapes, the phone gets hot.

The most common causes of a phone overheating while gaming

Charging during play

Charging produces heat in the battery. Gaming produces heat in the chip. Doing both at once is one of the quickest ways to make a phone hot. Our post on whether it is bad to play games while charging explains the trade-offs.

Graphics set too high

High resolution, high frame rate and heavy effects push the chip harder. On mid-range phones, the highest presets often cause heat within a few minutes.

A thick or insulated case

Cases, especially thick rubber or leather ones, trap heat against the phone's back, where much of the heat would normally escape.

Where you play

Direct sunlight, a hot car, a bed, a pillow or your lap all trap or add heat. A cool room and a hard surface help.

High brightness and refresh rate

Maximum brightness and a high refresh rate make the screen work harder, adding to the total heat.

Weak signal

A poor mobile or Wi-Fi signal makes the radio work harder to stay connected, which adds heat, especially on mobile data.

Quick fixes you can try right now

1. Stop charging while you play, or unplug if the phone feels hot.
2. Take off the case for long sessions.
3. Lower the in-game graphics, starting with frame rate and shadows.
4. Lower the screen brightness a little.
5. Move out of direct sunlight and play on a hard surface or holding the phone.
6. Take a short break every few matches to let the phone cool.
7. Close any heavy apps you were using before, like a video editor or navigation.

What happens when a phone gets too hot?

To protect itself, the phone lowers the speed of its processor and graphics chip. This is called thermal throttling, and it is why a game that starts smooth can turn choppy after a while. Read thermal throttling explained for more.

If it gets hotter still, the phone may dim the screen, stop charging, close apps or show a temperature warning. In extreme cases it may switch off until it cools down. These are safety features, not faults.

How hot is too hot?

Phones are designed to get warm during heavy use. A battery that stays very hot for long periods, though, ages faster. As a general guide, a battery around body temperature or a little above is normal during gaming, and readings in the mid-40s °C or higher mean it is time to take a break. Our guide to safe battery temperature while gaming covers the ranges in more detail.

Things that do not cool your phone

• "CPU cooler" apps. Software cannot cool hardware.
• Putting the phone in a fridge or freezer. Sudden cold can cause condensation inside the phone.
• Pointing a hair dryer on a cold setting at it. Use normal room air instead.

A small fan blowing on the phone, or a clip-on phone cooler, can help, since they move heat away physically.

When overheating might be a fault

Most cases of a phone overheating while gaming are normal. See a repair service, though, if:

• The phone gets very hot when you are not using it.
• The battery looks swollen, or the back or screen is lifting.
• It overheats even with light use, like messaging.
• It switches off from heat often, even in a cool room.

A swollen battery should be dealt with promptly. Stop charging the phone and seek a repair.

How CyberBoost helps you watch the heat

CyberBoost cannot cool your phone. If you often deal with a phone overheating while gaming, though, it can show you when heat is building. Its live HUD shows battery temperature, CPU clock and refresh rate while you play, so you can see the temperature climbing before throttling kicks in. Its eight pre-game checks include a heat check, so you know whether to let the phone rest before a match.

Frequently asked questions

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

Yes, warm is normal during heavy games. Very hot to the touch, warnings, or the phone shutting down are signs to stop and let it cool.

Can overheating damage my phone?

Repeated high heat can make the battery age faster. Phones have protections that slow down or shut off before damage, but it is best not to rely on them.

Why does my phone get hot only in one game?

Some games are much more demanding than others, especially 3D games with high frame rates. Lowering that game's settings usually helps.

Do phone coolers work?

Clip-on coolers and small fans can help, because they physically move heat away. Apps that claim to cool the phone cannot.