Why Does My Phone Get So Hot During Video Calls Fixes That Help

It’s a familiar scene: you’re in the middle of an important Zoom meeting, catching up with family on FaceTime, or collaborating remotely via Google Meet—and suddenly your phone starts feeling like it could fry an egg. The screen dims, performance slows, and a warning pops up: “Device overheating.” Video calling has become a daily necessity, but few users realize how much strain these sessions place on their smartphones. Understanding why your phone heats up during video calls isn’t just about comfort—it’s critical for preserving battery life, maintaining performance, and extending your device’s lifespan.

Heat generation is a natural byproduct of intense processing, but excessive temperatures signal inefficiencies or misuse. This article breaks down the technical and environmental causes behind phone overheating during video calls and delivers actionable, real-world solutions backed by engineering principles and user experience data.

What Causes Your Phone to Overheat During Video Calls?

Video calls demand more from your phone than almost any other common task. Unlike passive activities like reading or listening, video conferencing activates multiple high-power components simultaneously:

• Camera module: Both front and rear cameras run continuously, especially if you're switching between them.
• Microphone and speakers: Audio input/output systems remain active, often at high sensitivity.
• Processor (CPU/GPU): Encoding and decoding video streams require significant computational power.
• Network radios: Wi-Fi or cellular data works overtime to maintain stable upload/download speeds.
• Screen: Brightness is typically set high for visibility, consuming additional energy.

When all these systems operate together for extended periods—common in hour-long work meetings or long catch-ups—the cumulative effect is rapid heat buildup. Modern phones are designed to manage this to some degree, but poor habits, aging hardware, or suboptimal conditions can push them beyond safe thresholds.

“Smartphones are engineered with thermal throttling protocols, but frequent overheating accelerates battery degradation and can permanently reduce peak performance.” — Dr. Alan Zhou, Mobile Systems Engineer at MIT Media Lab

7 Practical Fixes to Prevent Overheating During Video Calls

The good news: most overheating issues are preventable. With small adjustments to how you use and maintain your device, you can eliminate excessive heat without sacrificing call quality.

1. Reduce Screen Brightness Manually

Auto-brightness often overcompensates, especially near windows or under bright lights. Keeping your screen at maximum brightness significantly increases power draw. Lowering it manually—even slightly—can reduce heat output by up to 15%, according to lab tests conducted by GSMArena.

Tip: Set screen brightness to 50–60% during indoor video calls. Use dark mode in apps when available to further reduce display load.

2. Close Background Apps Before Starting a Call

Many apps continue running in the background, using CPU cycles and memory. Social media apps, navigation services, and streaming platforms are particularly resource-heavy. Closing unused apps frees up system resources and reduces overall thermal load.

To do this effectively:

• Double-tap the home button (or swipe up and hold on newer iPhones) to access the app switcher.
• Swipe away apps like Instagram, Spotify, or Maps before launching your video call.
• On Android, go to Settings > Apps > See all running apps and force-stop non-essential ones.

3. Avoid Using Your Phone While Charging

Charging generates internal heat. Combine that with the thermal output of a video call, and you’ve created a perfect storm. Lithium-ion batteries are especially sensitive to heat; operating above 35°C (95°F) regularly can cut their effective lifespan in half.

If possible, begin your call with at least 50% battery. If you must charge, use a low-wattage charger (e.g., 5W instead of 20W+) and avoid fast charging during calls.

4. Switch to Speakerphone or Headphones

Holding your phone against your face traps heat and blocks ventilation zones—usually located along the frame edges or near the camera bump. Using wired or Bluetooth headphones keeps the device away from your body and allows better airflow.

Bonus: audio quality often improves, and you gain freedom of movement during longer conversations.

5. Limit High-Resolution Video When Unnecessary

Most video conferencing apps default to HD or even 1080p video. However, unless you're presenting professionally, this level of detail is rarely needed. Lowering your video resolution reduces encoding demands on the processor.

In Zoom, for example:

1. Go to Settings > Video.
2. Disable “HD” and “Touch Up My Appearance.”
3. Enable “Turn off my video when joining a meeting” to start audio-only and enable video only when necessary.

6. Keep Your Phone in a Cool Environment

Ambient temperature plays a major role. A phone sitting in direct sunlight, on a car dashboard, or near a radiator will heat up faster—even without usage. Always position your device in shaded, well-ventilated areas during calls.

Avoid placing it on soft surfaces like beds or couches, which block air vents and insulate heat.

7. Update Software Regularly

Manufacturers release OS and app updates not just for features, but for efficiency improvements. These updates often include optimized codecs, better thermal management algorithms, and bug fixes that reduce unnecessary background activity.

Check for updates weekly:

• iOS: Settings > General > Software Update
• Android: Settings > System > System Update
• Zoom/Teams/etc.: Visit your app store and check for pending updates

Do’s and Don’ts: Quick Reference Table

Do	Don't
Use headphones to keep the phone ventilated	Hold the phone against your face for long durations
Lower screen brightness manually	Keep auto-brightness maxed out
Close background apps before calling	Run games or streaming apps in the background
Place phone on a hard, cool surface	Set it on a bed, pillow, or lap blanket
Charge before the call, not during	Fast-charge while on a video call

Real-World Example: How Sarah Fixed Her Overheating iPhone

Sarah, a remote project manager based in Austin, started noticing her iPhone 13 would shut down during midday team meetings. At first, she assumed it was a software glitch. After three consecutive crashes during client calls, she reached out to Apple Support.

Tech support discovered her phone regularly exceeded 42°C (107.6°F) during one-hour Zoom sessions. Investigation revealed several contributing factors:

• She used FaceTime immediately after playing graphics-intensive games.
• Her phone case trapped heat due to thick silicone layers.
• She joined calls while the phone was still charging via a 20W adapter.

After removing the case, closing background apps, and switching to a wired headset, her phone’s peak temperature dropped to 36°C (96.8°F)—within safe operating range. She also began starting calls with at least 60% battery. Within a week, the shutdowns stopped completely.

“I didn’t realize how many little things were stacking up,” Sarah said. “Now I prep my phone like I prep for a presentation.”

Step-by-Step Guide: Pre-Call Device Check Routine

Adopt this five-minute checklist before every important video call to ensure optimal performance and minimal heat buildup:

1. Check battery level: Ensure at least 50%. Charge now if needed—don’t wait until the call starts.
2. Close background apps: Swipe away all non-essential apps from the app switcher.
3. Remove protective case: Especially if it's thick, rubberized, or poorly ventilated.
4. Adjust settings: Lower brightness, disable HD video, turn on dark mode.
5. Position device: Place on a desk or stand in a cool area with open airflow around all sides.
6. Connect peripherals: Plug in headphones or earbuds to avoid holding the phone.
7. Test connection: Run a quick audio/video test to avoid repeated reconnects, which spike CPU usage.

This routine takes less than five minutes but dramatically reduces thermal stress. Users who follow it report fewer interruptions, clearer audio, and longer battery endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can overheating damage my phone permanently?

Yes. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures degrades lithium-ion batteries, reduces storage lifespan, and can cause permanent weakening of internal adhesives and solder joints. Repeated thermal throttling may also lock the processor into lower performance modes over time.

Is it safe to put a hot phone in the fridge to cool it down?

No. Rapid cooling causes condensation inside the device, which can short-circuit components. Instead, power it off and let it cool naturally in a dry, shaded area. Never expose your phone to extreme temperature changes.

Do certain video calling apps cause more heat than others?

Yes. Apps like Zoom and Microsoft Teams tend to be more resource-intensive due to advanced features and encryption. Google Meet and native FaceTime are generally more optimized for their respective platforms. Lightweight alternatives like Jitsi or Whereby may generate less heat on older devices.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Phone’s Temperature Today

Your smartphone is a powerful tool, but it wasn’t built to endure constant thermal stress. Overheating during video calls is not normal—and it’s not inevitable. By understanding the root causes and applying simple, consistent habits, you can keep your device cool, responsive, and reliable through every meeting, reunion, or virtual classroom session.

Start today: remove that bulky case, close unused apps, and adjust your brightness before your next call. Small changes compound into long-term gains—better performance, longer battery life, and fewer frustrating interruptions. Your phone works hard for you. Return the favor by giving it the care it deserves.

💬 Have a tip that helped you stop your phone from overheating? Share your experience in the comments and help others stay cool under pressure.