Swollen Phone Battery: What to Do Right Now
In short
Stop charging and using the phone, don't press on it or try to open it, and keep it somewhere cool away from anything flammable. A swollen lithium-ion battery is damaged and should be replaced as soon as possible. Bring it to a repairer; don't put it in household rubbish.
In this guide (6 sections)
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Unplug it and stop charging | Keep charging "to get through the day" |
| Back up your data if it still turns on | Press the screen back down |
| Keep it somewhere cool, on a hard surface | Leave it in a hot car or on a bed |
| Get the battery replaced soon | Pierce, open or bin the battery |
How do I know my phone battery is swollen?
The screen lifts away from the frame, the back bulges or cracks, or the phone rocks when laid flat. Sometimes the screen shows pressure marks or touch stops working in one area.
Is a swollen phone battery dangerous?
It's a damaged lithium-ion battery, so treat it as a risk. Swelling means gas is building inside the cell. Punctured or overheated, it can catch fire.
Most swollen batteries don't catch fire if you stop charging and leave them alone, but don't take chances: get it replaced.
What should I do right now?
- Unplug it and switch it off if you can.
- Back up to iCloud or Google if it still turns on and isn't hot.
- Remove the case gently if it's squeezing the phone. Don't force it.
- Store it on a hard, non-flammable surface away from heat and sunlight.
- Bring it in for a battery replacement. Tell us it's swollen so we handle it safely.
Can a swollen battery be replaced?
Usually, yes. We remove the old battery, check the screen and frame for damage from the swelling, and fit a new one. If the screen was pushed up and cracked, you may also need a screen repair; we quote both first.
Why do phone batteries swell?
Age, heat and physical damage are the usual causes. Phones left charging in hot places or on soft bedding, and cheap or damaged chargers, make it more likely.
To lower the risk: keep the phone out of hot cars, use a good quality charger and cable, and replace the battery once it's worn. See phone won't charge? for charger checks.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I keep using my phone with a swollen battery?
Don't. Stop charging it and get the battery replaced as soon as possible.
Q: How do I dispose of a swollen battery?
Never in household rubbish or recycling bins. Bring it to us with the repair, or take it to a battery recycling drop-off.
Q: Will I lose my data?
A battery replacement doesn't erase your data. Back up first if the phone still works.
Q: My power bank is swollen. What do I do?
The same: stop using and charging it, keep it somewhere cool and take it to a battery recycling drop-off.
This is general safety information. If a battery is hot, smoking or hissing, move away from it and call 000.
