If your phone displays a temperature warning, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Stop demanding tasks and disconnect the charger if advised. Allow the device to cool in a safe location, away from direct sunlight.
Do not put a hot phone in a refrigerator or freezer. Sudden temperature changes and condensation can create additional problems.
7. Warning Signs That Your Battery May Be Unsafe
Battery problems are not always obvious, but certain changes deserve attention.
Recognizing these signs early can help prevent an electrical fault from becoming more serious.
Swelling or a bulging screen
A battery may swell as gases accumulate inside it during failure or deterioration.
Possible signs include:
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The back cover separating from the phone.
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The screen lifting away from the frame.
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A device that no longer lies flat.
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A casing that appears distorted.
Do not press the casing back into place, puncture the battery, or attempt to flatten it.
Stop using and charging the device, keep it away from combustible materials if you can do so safely, and arrange professional assessment and proper disposal.
Unusual heat
If your phone becomes excessively hot during ordinary use or while idle, stop using it and disconnect it from power if you can do so safely.
If the heat is accompanied by swelling, smoke, a chemical smell, hissing, or popping, do not continue handling the device.
Strange smells
A sharp, unusual chemical or burnt odor can indicate a problem with a battery or another electrical component.
Do not deliberately sniff the device to identify the smell. If you notice it unexpectedly, move away and treat other accompanying warning signs seriously.
Hissing, popping, smoke, or leakage
These can indicate a serious battery failure.
Do not touch the battery, attempt to open the device, or carry it outside by hand if doing so would expose you to heat, smoke, or fire.
Move away, alert others, and contact emergency services if the device is smoking, venting, or burning.
Sudden changes in performance
Rapid battery drain or unreliable charging can occur because of ordinary battery aging, software problems, or demanding applications. By themselves, these symptoms do not prove that a fire is imminent.
However, if unusual battery behavior appears alongside swelling, excessive heat, odor, or physical damage, stop using the device and seek professional advice.
Remember: You do not need to wait for every warning sign to appear. A single serious sign, such as a visibly swollen battery, is enough to stop using the device.
8. What Should You Do If Your Phone Starts Smoking or Burning?
A lithium-ion battery incident can develop quickly. Your first priority is protecting people, not saving the phone.
If a phone or another small electronic device begins smoking, hissing, venting, or burning, follow these steps.
Step 1: Move away and warn others
Do not pick up the device or carry it through your home.
Move away from the immediate area, warn anyone nearby, and evacuate if smoke or fire is present.
Step 2: Disconnect power only if it is safe
If the charger can be disconnected at the wall without approaching the burning device or entering a smoky area, doing so may remove the electrical supply.
Do not reach through flames, touch exposed wires, or risk an electric shock to unplug it.
Step 3: Call emergency services
If the device is burning, producing significant smoke, or the fire is spreading, leave the building and contact the local fire service.
In Vietnam, the fire and rescue emergency number is 114.
Do not re-enter a building to retrieve a phone, wallet, or other belongings.
Step 4: Do not attempt an improvised rescue
Do not handle a burning battery, puncture it, or try to dismantle the device.
Lithium-ion battery incidents can release hot gases and toxic smoke, and a damaged battery can reignite.
General household fire advice may not be appropriate for every battery incident. Do not assume that a small fire extinguisher or a household remedy will safely control a battery that is venting or undergoing thermal runaway.
What about water?
The statement that water always makes lithium-ion battery fires worse is too broad.
Firefighters may use substantial quantities of water to cool lithium-ion batteries and reduce the risk of continued heating or reignition. The appropriate response depends on the battery, the equipment, and the situation.
For a person at home, however, the practical guidance is simple: do not approach a burning or venting phone to pour water on it. Evacuate and call the fire service. Follow instructions from emergency responders.
Never put yourself at risk to extinguish an electronic device fire.
9. The Same Risks Apply to Other Rechargeable Devices
Smartphones are only one part of the picture. Lithium-ion batteries are also found in many everyday products.
Laptops and tablets
These devices can become warm during charging or intensive use. Keep ventilation openings clear, use a stable surface, and avoid charging them on bedding or upholstered furniture.
A laptop placed on a blanket may have its cooling vents blocked, increasing heat buildup even when the battery is functioning normally.
Wireless headphones and smartwatches
Small batteries can still fail. Use compatible charging accessories and avoid charging devices that have been crushed, punctured, exposed to significant water damage, or visibly deformed.
Power banks
Power banks deserve particular attention because they contain rechargeable batteries and may be carried in bags alongside other items.
Do not use a power bank that is swollen, cracked, leaking, unusually hot, or producing a strange smell. Avoid leaving it in a hot vehicle or placing it under bedding while charging.