If your iPhone 13 feels warm, it's usually temporary. Apple says an iPhone can get warmer during setup, while restoring from a backup, during a software update, while charging wirelessly, and when you use graphics-heavy apps or games. If it gets hot during normal tasks or stays warm for a long time, work through the checks below, starting with the simplest.
First, close your apps and restart the phone. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to open the App Switcher, then swipe away every app. Next, force restart your iPhone 13: quickly press and release the Volume Up button, quickly press and release the Volume Down button, then hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
This clears stuck processes that can keep the processor working overtime. If the heat started after you installed a new app or game, remove it and see if the phone cools down.
If a temperature warning appears on screen, stop and let the phone cool. Turn it off, move it somewhere cooler and out of direct sunlight, and wait before you use or charge it again.
Check for Rogue Apps and Background Activity
Go to Settings > Battery and tap View All Battery Usage to see battery use by app over the last eight days. An app using a surprisingly high share of battery, especially with background activity, is probably the source of the heat.
To limit background work, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Turn it off entirely or just for the apps causing problems. Social media, navigation and weather apps that constantly fetch new data are common sources of background heat.
Also check location access. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services, find apps set to Always, and change them to While Using the App or Ask Next Time Or When I Share. Constant GPS use drains the battery and adds heat.
Manage Your Charging Setup
Your iPhone 13 can get slightly warm while charging, especially if you use it at the same time. Excessive heat, though, can point to a problem with your accessories. Use an Apple charger or a reputable MFi-certified Lightning cable and power adapter.
Cheap, uncertified cables and chargers can deliver power inconsistently and make the phone heat up more than it should. If you charge wirelessly, use an authentic MagSafe or Qi-certified charger. Wireless charging produces more heat than wired charging, so a warmer back is normal.
Try charging with the phone out of its case, especially a thick, rugged one, since cases can trap heat. Charge on a hard, flat surface rather than a bed or couch, and keep the phone out of direct sunlight and hot spaces like a parked car. If your iPhone gets too hot, it slows or pauses charging until it cools down.
Update iOS and Review Display Settings
iOS updates include performance improvements and bug fixes, and a software glitch can make the processor work inefficiently and generate extra heat. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available update. The phone may feel warm for a while during and right after the update, which is normal.
The display is another big source of heat, and brightness has a direct effect. Lower brightness manually or turn on Auto-Brightness in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size. A shorter Auto-Lock time also turns the screen off sooner when you're not using it.
Games and other graphics-heavy apps push the chip hard on any iPhone 13 model. Turning on Low Power Mode (you can add it to Control Center) reduces background activity and is a quick way to ease the load while the phone cools down.
Assess Your Battery Health
For an iPhone 13 from 2021, battery health is a real factor. As lithium-ion batteries age, they become less efficient and can make the phone run warmer during charging and use. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
Look at Maximum Capacity. iPhone 13 batteries are designed to keep 80% of their original capacity at 500 full charge cycles under ideal conditions, so a reading well below 80% means the battery is worn. If you see that, or a service message on this screen, start a replacement from Apple's iPhone battery service page.
The same screen holds Optimized Battery Charging and Clean Energy Charging (on by default in the United States). Both can delay or hold charging at certain times, which is normal and not a heat problem. A Charging On Hold message, by contrast, means the phone is too warm or too cold to charge right now.
Reset All Settings
If nothing else works and your iPhone 13 still runs hot, a settings reset can help. It doesn't delete your photos, messages, apps or documents, but it returns all system settings to their defaults.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset, then choose Reset All Settings. Afterward you'll need to rejoin Wi-Fi networks, re-pair Bluetooth devices and your Apple Watch, set up Face ID again, and redo preferences like notifications and wallpaper. Apple Pay cards are also removed.
This often helps with persistent overheating that isn't tied to one obvious app. After the reset, use the phone for a day and watch the temperature before you restore all your custom preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for an iPhone 13 to get warm?
Yes, in some situations. It can get warmer during setup, restoring from a backup, software updates, wireless charging, and heavy gaming or video use. As long as no temperature warning appears, you can keep using it.
What should I do if my iPhone 13 shows a temperature warning?
Turn the phone off, move it to a cooler place out of direct sunlight, and let it cool down before you use or charge it again. While it's too hot, the screen may dim, charging may slow or stop, and the camera flash may be temporarily disabled.
Why does my iPhone 13 get hot while charging?
Some warmth is normal, especially with wireless charging or if you use the phone while it charges. Take it out of a thick case, charge on a hard surface, and use certified cables and chargers. If it gets too hot, the phone slows or pauses charging until it cools.
Can heat damage my iPhone 13 battery?
Yes. Using or storing an iPhone in very hot conditions can permanently shorten battery life. Try to use and charge it between 32° and 95° F (0° and 35° C), and never leave it in a hot car.
When should I replace my iPhone 13 battery?
Consider a replacement if Maximum Capacity in Battery Health & Charging is well below 80%, if a service message appears there, or if the phone keeps running hot after you've tried the fixes above.