How to Resolve Overheating Issues on Android

Difficulty
Beginner
Tested on
Android 15 - Pixel 9 Pro
You will need
Android device, charger, stable Wi-Fi connection

Step by step

  1. 1 min

    Close background applications and clear cache

    Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open the Recent Apps view. Swipe all cards away to close them, then navigate to Settings > Apps > See all apps. Select resource-heavy apps and tap Storage & cache > Clear cache to free up temporary processing cycles.

    Note: Do not select Clear storage, as this will delete user data.
  2. 1 min

    Disable power-intensive radios and features

    Open the Quick Settings panel by swiping down twice from the top of the screen. Toggle off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Hotspot if they are not in active use. Switch your device to Airplane Mode if the phone is currently searching for a weak cellular signal, which forces the modem to draw excessive power.

    Note: Weak signal areas are a primary driver of sustained thermal rise.
  3. 1 min

    Reduce screen brightness and display settings

    Navigate to Settings > Display. Lower the brightness slider or toggle on Adaptive brightness. Additionally, reduce the screen refresh rate from high (120Hz) to standard (60Hz) to decrease the load on the GPU.

  4. 2 min

    Check for rogue app activity

    Go to Settings > Battery > Battery usage. Review the list to identify apps consuming an abnormal percentage of power in the background. Tap the offending app and select Restricted to prevent it from running tasks without your direct interaction.

    Note: If an app is not necessary, select Uninstall to remove it entirely.
  5. 1 min

    Update Android OS and system applications

    Navigate to Settings > System > Software update to ensure your device is running the latest firmware. Manufacturers frequently release patches that optimize thermal management for the processor. Verify all app updates are installed via the Google Play Store.

  6. 1 min

    Remove physical obstructions

    Remove any protective phone case during charging or intensive tasks like gaming. Cases act as insulators, preventing the chassis from dissipating heat effectively. Allow the phone to cool on a hard, non-reflective surface away from direct sunlight.

    Note: Avoid cooling the phone in a refrigerator or freezer to prevent internal condensation.