Why your phone gets hot on FaceTime and how to cool it down

⚡ Fast fix

• Switch to Wi-Fi. A weak cellular signal makes your phone’s antenna work overtime, so hop on Wi-Fi® if it’s available.
• Remove the phone case. Thick or rugged cases trap heat and prevent airflow, so removing them during long calls can help your phone cool down.
• Unplug and chat. If you’re using FaceTime® on your iPhone® while charging, unplug it first to reduce heat from charging during the video call.
• Still warm after you hang up? Give your phone a few minutes to cool down before using it again.

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Why does my phone overheat on FaceTime? If you’ve ever been on a long FaceTime call and your phone starts feeling noticeably hot to the touch, you’ve probably asked yourself this question. Usually, FaceTime uses more of your phone’s resources at once than a regular voice call, which can cause it to heat up.

Don’t worry, though. At Asurion, we help people resolve tech quirks like this one every day, and we'll assist you in differentiating between ordinary phone overheating on FaceTime and an actual problem. Here are some common reasons why your phone gets so hot on FaceTime and quick ways to cool it down.

Why FaceTime heats up your phone

Your iPhone overheats during video calls because FaceTime is resource-intensive. It uses more processing power and memory and puts more demand on your network, leading to higher heat generation.

During a video call, your phone has to capture video, compress it, and encode the video coming in, all in real time. At the same time, your camera stays active, and your wireless connection stays lit up, sending and receiving a steady stream of data.

As all these processes run concurrently, your phone may generate heat. But the warmth is just a normal side effect of your device working hard. Unless your screen flashes a thermal warning that your phone needs to cool down, you don’t need to worry that something’s broken.

Quick ways to cool it down during a call

Now that you understand why FaceTime makes your phone hot, here are some quick fixes to stop it from overheating during a call.

• Switch from cellular to Wi-Fi. Mobile data uses more power, especially in low signal areas. Switch to Wi-Fi for a more stable connection to put less strain on your phone and reduce heat.
• Lower screen brightness. High brightness forces your iPhone’s display and graphical processing unit (GPU) to work harder. Lowering the brightness reduces internal temperature and improves battery efficiency.
• Close background apps. Background apps running behind FaceTime still use your phone’s central processing unit (CPU) and memory, which add to its workload. Close them to free up resources and help your iPhone stay cooler.
• Take your phone off the charger. Your phone naturally generates some heat while charging, so charging while on a call can raise the temperature quickly. Unplug your device until the call ends to keep it cooler.

If these quick fixes don’t resolve your issue, check out more ways to cool down an overheating iPhone.

When warmth crosses into overheating

During long calls, your iPhone may feel hot to the touch because of heavy CPU and GPU load. However, you should differentiate overheating from normal warmth. Your phone might have crossed into overheating if it displays a thermal warning screen or the heat persists after the call.

Persistent overheating, even in short calls, can point to battery health issues. Consider checking your iPhone's battery health to see if it needs attention.

Keep your phone cool beyond FaceTime

Beyond FaceTime, activities such as gaming, navigation, and even leaving your phone in direct sunlight can heat it up. It’s worth knowing general tips to keep your phone from overheating during everyday use.

If your issue isn't overheating, but FaceTime calls keep hanging up, check out other common FaceTime issues and their fixes.

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FAQ

Is it bad to keep your phone on FaceTime all night?

It is not recommended to sleep with your phone on FaceTime all night because your battery will be affected by extended usage. Also, continuous video calls tax the processor, screen, and radio transceiver, which can make your phone hot.

Why does my iPhone overheat during video calls?

Video calls are among the most demanding tasks you can ask your phone to handle. Your device has to capture, compress, and decode video in real time, while the camera and internet connection stay active. This task combination generates heat, especially during longer calls.

Why does my iPhone 15 overheat on FaceTime?

Newer models like the iPhone 15 pack more processing power into a slim design, and demanding tasks like FaceTime can make the phone run warmer than it might during lighter tasks or on some older models.