Stop
A swollen lithium battery can leak, overheat, or catch fire. Stop use and charging immediately, keep it away from flammable materials and heat, and do not puncture or press on it. Handle and transport it carefully to a professional.
Symptoms
- Screen or back panel bulges outward
- Phone doesn't sit flat on a table anymore
- Screen may separate or crack at the edges from the pressure
- Battery may drain unusually fast beforehand
Likely causes
- CommonAging lithium battery swelling with gas buildupBatteries naturally degrade and can swell as they age, especially after years of daily charging.
- PossibleDamage to the battery from a drop or puncturePhysical damage can cause a battery to swell rapidly.
- PossibleOvercharging or heat exposure over timeRepeated exposure to high heat, like a hot car, can accelerate battery swelling.
What to do
- Stop using and charging the phone immediately.
- Place it on a non-flammable surface, away from anything that could catch fire, and in a well-ventilated area.
- Do not press on, bend, puncture, or try to remove the battery yourself.
- Do not put the swollen battery in water or a freezer as a fix.
- Back up any critical data only if you can do so without pressing on the swollen area, otherwise skip this step.
- Take the phone to a professional or a battery recycling center promptly for safe disposal or repair.
When to call a pro
Take it to a repair shop, the manufacturer, or a battery recycling center right away; do not attempt to remove or fix the battery yourself.
Safety
Stop
A swollen lithium battery can leak, overheat, or catch fire. Stop use and charging immediately, keep it away from flammable materials and heat, and do not puncture or press on it. Handle and transport it carefully to a professional.