Sometimes smartphones explode. I’ve come across several headlines in the past few months alone, from a phone that caught fire in a Brazilian woman’s pocket in February to a plane in Colorado that had to be evacuated in November when a passenger’s phone burst into flames.

Going back to 2023, a child in India was killed when a Redmi Note 5 Pro reportedly blew up in her face. And I’m sure we all remember Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 fiasco.

It’s scary stuff, but I want to stress that the likelihood of your smartphone exploding is still slim. Though I guess it’s more likely for me, since I own a Google Pixel 6a—the latest device to overheat and catch fire. As a precaution, Google is releasing an update that will throttle the 6a’s battery’s charging capabilities, but why does this happen and can anything be done to avoid it?

Why Do Smartphones Explode?

There are many reasons a smartphone may catch fire or explode, and it almost always has to do with the device’s battery. Modern mobile devices are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which contain a careful balance of positive and negative electrodes to allow for recharging. When something goes wrong, the inner components of the battery can break down and create a volatile reaction that could lead to fires.

(Credit: Samsung)

This happens for multiple reasons, but the most common problem is excessive heat. If a charging battery or overworked processor becomes too hot too quickly, it can ruin the chemical makeup of the phone’s components. With batteries, a chain reaction called thermal runaway causes the battery to generate even more heat and eventually catch fire or explode.

The reason for your phone overheating will vary. Physical damage—the kind sustained from a fall or excessive bending—can disrupt the inner workings of the battery. Leaving the phone out in the sun for too long, malware overworking the CPU, or a charging debacle can all cause short circuiting within the device.

Or it could be something outside your direct control. Batteries degrade over time, so if a device has been used for several years—like the iPhone 4 that caught fire in 2023—it’s possible for the internal components to fade, leading to swelling and overheating. As was the case with the Galaxy Note 7, an issue with the phone’s production was to blame, which you can’t really account for.

Warning Signs

Between now and July, when Google’s update is due to be released, I’ll need to be extra vigilant in case my phone shows any of the warning signs that it’s about to catch fire. It’s very likely that my phone won’t even give me a warning sign, but there are a few things to monitor.

For instance, if it starts to hiss or make popping sounds, or smells like burning plastic or chemicals, it may be damaged and on the verge of exploding. (Don’t put your face near it, obviously.) Similarly, I’ll be looking out for excessive heat coming from the device, especially when charging.

Another big warning sign is a swollen battery, which can happen if it has been damaged or internal components are degraded. I’ll be watching for any changes in the device’s shape, including a protruding screen, enlarged seam, or distended chassis that may cause the phone to no longer sit flush with a flat surface.

If you discover your phone is burning hot to the touch, my advice is to unplug it immediately. Most modern smartphones no longer allow you to remove the battery, so if you’re concerned about the device, I’d just turn it off and take it in for service immediately.

Can You Prevent Your Phone From Exploding?

While there are steps I can take to alleviate some of the strain on my phone’s battery, there’s not a whole lot I can do if the issue is a manufacturing defect. Batteries are rigorously tested for faulty components, but some units may have imperfections that can cause a phone to overheat.

(Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd)

In the case of the Note 7, a design flaw was to blame; there was nothing the average consumer could do to fix it. While it’s too early to know why my Pixel 6a is in danger of igniting, I’d wager it would be for similar reasons.

(Credit: Samsung)

But even when manufacturing goes as planned, batteries naturally degrade over time and will ultimately need to be replaced, no matter how much care and attention is given to the device. In the case of the iPhone 4, this was a 13-year-old device when it caught fire in 2023. Phones don’t normally turn explosive after a certain amount of time, but I’d say it definitely becomes more likely over time.

How to Save Your Phone Battery

Want your phone to last longer? You can’t prevent every issue, but there are several dos and don’ts that may help maintain the health of your device and avoid a fire:

1. Get a Phone Case

(Credit: Steven Winkelman)

While it isn’t common, dropping your phone can damage the battery. Just ask former PCMag Mobile Analyst Steven Winkelman, who received a Chinese-manufactured phone in the mail for review. After accidentally dropping it from the kitchen counter to the floor, though, the phone emitted a chemical smell and burst into flames within minutes.

Not every device is going to go up in flames after a fall, but one way to protect its innards is to cover it with a phone case—preferably one with a lip around the edge of the phone. These cases aren’t as expensive as they once were, and even the cheapest offer more protection than nothing. At this point, there’s no excuse to go without one.

2. Avoid Extreme Temperatures

(Credit: Alexander Trou / Shutterstock)

You probably know that heat is your phone’s worst enemy, but what about cold? Your phone’s battery is optimized to work within 32-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Regularly exposing the battery to harsh conditions will cause internal components to expand and contract, resulting in long-term damage to the parts within.

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This is why I avoid leaving my device in direct sunlight (or on top of a hot radiator) for too long, especially when charging. You should also avoid freezing cold temperatures whenever possible—so don’t put your phone inside the freezer, if you still believe in that myth.

3. Don’t Cover Your Phone While It’s Charging

(Credit: spyarm / Shutterstock)

This one sounds silly, but I can personally attest to it; don’t cover your phone with anything while it’s charging and don’t charge the device in bed. Years ago, I woke up one morning to find my phone underneath my body and burning my bare chest. At some point in the night, I had rolled onto the phone, causing the device to overheat. Not only did it burn my body, but it burned itself out and stopped working.

Your best option is to place the phone on a flat, hard surface—like a table or desk—when it’s time to connect it to a charger. Snuggling up to it at night runs the risk of you rolling on top of it, wrapping it in blankets, or covering it with a pillow. To be safe, I recommend keeping the device free from plush surfaces, papers, and general clutter.

4. Practice Good Battery Hygiene

(Credit: PCMag / Apple)

I’ll remind you that batteries naturally deteriorate over time, so the best you or I can do is delay that erosion. There’s a lot of debate around how to safely charge your phone, but I generally recommend keeping it between 30-80% most of the time (there’s no reason to always insist the battery be at 100% or drop to 0%). Try to avoid fast charging overnight, if you can, but your phone should be able to neutralize any potential issues here.

For more help managing your phone’s battery, I’ve put together guides for managing your iPhone and Android settings. However, don’t get too worried about this; it will take a few years for the battery to naturally deteriorate. If you switch out phones every few years, you’ll be fine.

5. Use the Right Charger

(Credit: inspire finder / Shutterstock)

Your device needs optimal voltage and current to charge properly, so I recommend sticking with the charger that came in the box or grabbing one directly from the phone’s manufacturer. That means if you have a Samsung phone, buy a cable from Samsung; if you have an iPhone, get a charger from the Apple Store.

You also shouldn’t mix and match cables and power bricks because different units have different wattage levels. It may be tempting to save some money and get a cheap charger off Amazon, or use whatever is lying around the house, but this is a good way to ruin the battery.

If you absolutely must get a third-party charger, stick with a known brand and not a no-name company just because it’s cheaper. I personally trust Anker, but you can check to see if a given USB-C cable is certified by the USB-IF or a Lightning charger has the MFi badge (and is authentic if it does). It may be a little more expensive, but it will be worth it in the long run.

6. Take Care of Your Cables

(Credit: Aleksandrs Muiznieks / Shutterstock)

Once you have a charger, take care of the cables; damaged wires can lead to charging issues and even cause their own fire hazard. Back in the day, my MacBook Pro’s MagSafe charger frayed until the wiring became exposed. Eventually, the charger shorted out and caught fire. The same can happen to your phone plug.

There are a few best practices to keep in mind when managing your phone charger, or really any wire that connects to your devices. Avoid wrapping wires too tightly and remember to unplug the charger from the actual plug instead of yanking it out from the cord. If the current charger is fraying, seems to have melted, or even has bite marks from a pet, it’s time to get a new one.

7. Look Out for Malware

(Credit: Promon)

If you become infected with malware, the nefarious program may hog your phone’s resources for tasks like cryptomining, which can overheat the battery and potentially damage the phone. Does your phone run slower than it probably should? Get hot for no good reason? Hit you with nonstop pop-ups? You could be infected with malware.

Thanks to the closed-off nature of Apple’s App Store, the iPhone tends to be less susceptible to malware. (Zero-click attacks are another story.) The same can’t be said about Google’s Play Store, but many popular antivirus companies offer antivirus apps for Android as part of multi-device subscriptions.

8. Only Use Authorized Parts

If you plan to make your own repairs, we recommend only using authorized parts instead of third-party suppliers, especially when it comes to replacing the battery. A poorly made battery can be a fire hazard waiting to happen, since you never know what you’re getting from third-party parts.

Apple launched its Self-Service Repair Store in 2022, allowing device owners to purchase parts for easy replacement. iFixit sells replacement parts for Samsung Galaxy (unofficially) and Google Pixel devices, among others.

Apple’s iOS has settings to help determine if you need a new iPhone battery or determine if an independent repair shop used genuine parts to fix your device. Plus, iOS 26 will add a few new battery-monitoring tricks in the fall.

Don’t Worry, Your Phone Is Unlikely to Explode

(Credit: Roman Samborskyi / Shutterstock)

In spite of all these warnings—and how common they might appear on the news—exploding phones are still extremely rare. When the Galaxy Note 7 was recalled by Samsung in 2016, only about 100 of the 2.5 million units shipped were reported to have exploded. That’s still scarier than zero, but if you’re concerned about ruining your phone, there are more common issues to worry about.

And remember, exploding phones make companies liable for damages, which is why Google is taking steps to mitigate the 6a issue (after doing the same with the 4a a few months back) before it can turn into a widespread recall.

How to Save Battery Life on Your iPhone

About Jason Cohen

Senior Editor, Help & How To

As PCMag’s editor of how to content, I have to cover a wide variety of topics and also make our stories accessible to everyday users. Considering my history as a technical writer, copywriter, and all-around freelancer covering baseball, comics, and more at various outlets, I am used to making myself into an expert.

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