Below is an overview of some common charging or usage habits that can stress your phone’s battery or cause dangerous overheating, potentially leading to rare but serious incidents (like battery swelling or even catching fire). While smartphone explosions are extremely uncommon, most are linked to incorrect charging practices or physical damage. Stopping these risky habits helps keep your device and yourself safer.

---

1. Using Cheap or Damaged Cables and Chargers

Why It’s Risky

• Low-quality or counterfeit chargers/cables may not meet proper voltage/current regulations.
• This can cause excessive heat, instability in the battery’s charging circuits, and even short circuits.

What to Do

• Stick to Original or Certified Accessories: Look for chargers approved by your phone’s manufacturer or well-known third parties (MFi-certified for Apple, for instance).
• Replace Frayed Cables: Any exposed wires or loose plugs are a red flag. Stop using them immediately.

---

2. Charging Under Pillows or Blankets (Poor Ventilation)

Why It’s Risky

• Your phone naturally emits heat while charging. Placing it under bedding, pillows, or in a closed drawer traps heat, making the battery and internal components hotter and hotter.
• Excessive heat is a prime factor in battery degradation—and in rare cases, thermal runaway (where the battery overheats uncontrollably).

What to Do

• Charge on a Hard, Flat Surface: A table or desk is ideal, allowing heat to dissipate.
• Avoid Covering the Phone: Keep flammable items (clothes, blankets) away during charging.

---

3. Heavy Usage While Charging (Especially Games or Video Streaming)

Why It’s Risky

• If you’re running power-hungry apps (e.g., 3D games, streaming HD video) while the phone is charging, you’re generating additional heat on top of the battery charging heat.
• Excessive or prolonged heat can degrade battery cells more quickly, potentially pushing them closer to failure over time.

What to Do

• Give the Phone a Break: Let your phone charge without intense apps running. If you must use it, try lighter tasks (like messaging or light browsing).
• Watch Out for Overheating: If the phone becomes uncomfortably hot, unplug and let it cool down before resuming usage or charging.

---

4. Ignoring Battery Swelling or Physical Damage

Why It’s Risky

• A swollen or punctured lithium-ion battery is a serious hazard—continuing to charge a damaged battery drastically increases the risk of fire or explosion.
• Physical damage can be caused by dropping the phone, bending it, or exposure to moisture.

What to Do

• Inspect Your Device: If you notice the phone’s back or screen bulging, or if there is visible damage near the battery area, stop using it.
• Seek Professional Repair: Take it to an authorized service center. Don’t attempt to fix or replace a damaged battery on your own unless you’re trained.

---

5. Leaving Your Phone in Extreme Heat or Direct Sunlight

Why It’s Risky

• High ambient temperatures (like leaving your phone on a car dashboard in full sunlight) can push the battery beyond safe operating limits. Overheating can also permanently reduce battery capacity.
• In very rare cases, extremely overheated batteries can catch fire.

What to Do

• Avoid Hot Environments: Keep your phone shaded and away from direct sun, especially outdoors or in parked cars.
• Power Down if Overheating: If your phone is hot to the touch, move it to a cooler place and let it cool down before charging again.

---

6. Overcharging Overnight Without Safety Measures

Why It’s (Somewhat) Risky

• Modern smartphones have built-in protections to prevent overcharging, but the battery can still stay at 100% longer, generating excess heat and causing faster battery wear.
• If you’re using a cheap or faulty charger, the phone’s safety features might not be enough to prevent overheating.

What to Do

• Use Quality Chargers and Cables: As mentioned, certified accessories reduce risks.
• Enable Battery Management Features: Some phones have “Optimized Charging” or “Adaptive Battery” settings that delay charging to 100% until you’re about to wake up.

---

Final Tips for Safe Charging

• Charge at Room Temperature (around 20–25°C / 68–77°F) whenever possible.
• Don’t Ignore Warning Signs: If your device consistently overheats, reboots unexpectedly, or the battery drains abnormally fast, it may need professional inspection.
• Update Your Phone’s Software: Manufacturers often include battery optimization or safety fixes in updates.
• Use a Certified Power Bank if you need portable charging. Steer clear of questionable brands or extremely cheap deals.

---

Bottom Line

Phone batteries rarely explode—but when incidents happen, they’re most often tied to cheap chargers, poor ventilation while charging, extreme heat, or physical damage that goes unchecked. If you have any of these habits, it’s best to stop immediately for your own safety and to prolong the life of your device. By practicing safe charging habits, using quality accessories, and paying attention to signs of battery distress, you significantly reduce the already small risk of overheating or battery failure.