Battery Swelling? Find Causes and Solutions Here

A bulging or swollen smartphone battery is more than just an annoyance—it can be a hazardous safety concern. If you've noticed your phone's rear cover bulging, screen bulging, or your phone heating up, your battery is swollen. At fone4u, we've dealt with more instances of bulging batteries, especially on older phones or in heat-exposed phones.

Here, in this blog, we will guide you through the main reasons why smartphone batteries swell up, what to watch out for, and how you can fix or prevent it. Be you an iPhone, Samsung, Xiaomi, or any other smartphone user, this is for all of them.

What Does Battery Expansion Mean?

Battery expansion occurs when a lithium-ion battery in your phone produces gas due to chemical reactions inside the battery. When this builds up, the battery bulges. This can result in:
A raised or cracked screen

• • • • A popped back cover or bent frame
        
        
      • Internal pressure-induced malfunctions
        
        
      • Under extreme circumstances, fire or explosion risk
        
        
      • Common Reasons Why Batteries Expand
        

1. Overcharging

New phones are designed to disconnect charging at 100%, but frequent overcharging—especially overnight charging—is likely to cause long-term battery health degradation. This, in time, can cause chemical instability, which will enhance the chances of expansion.

2. Exposure to heat

Leaving your phone in the car on a hot day or using it extensively under direct sunlight will get internal battery temperatures high. Accelerating battery degradation and putting stress on the interior of the cell, swelling the battery.

3. Physical Damage

If you’ve dropped your phone or damaged it in any way, there’s a chance the battery has been compromised. Even if there’s no immediate issue, damage to the battery casing or internal components can lead to delayed swelling.

4. Using Cheap or Faulty Chargers

Non-certified or generic chargers release an unstable voltage and put stress on the battery. This is particularly common on fast-charging cables that are not designed to your phone's standards. Poor charging over time can trigger internal battery reactions that result in swelling.

5. Aging Battery

All batteries degrade with time. Most smartphone batteries are engineered for around 500 charge cycles, typically 2–3 years. As a battery ages, it will be more prone to chemical imbalances and gas formation within it, especially if the phone is still being charged heavily on a daily basis.

Signs Your Battery Is Swelling

Don't know if your battery is swelling? Look for these telltale signs:

• • • Screen curving out of the frame or bulging in the center
      
      
    • Back cover coming off or not lying flat
      
      
    • Wobbling when put down on a flat surface
      
      
    • Sudden battery percentage drop or overheating while using normally
      
      
    • Clicking or pressure sound when pressing on the screen
      
      

What to Do if Your Battery Is Bulging

1. Stop Using the Device Immediately

If you're convinced that your battery is swelling, power off the phone and don't use it. The device usage increases the risk of a fire or explosion.

2. Don't Puncture or Press Down the Battery

Never try to press the screen down once more or adhere the battery to "flatten it." A punctured lithium battery can release toxic gases, burn, or even explode.

3. Visit a Trustworthy Repair Center

The most ideal thing to do with a bloated battery is to take your phone to an expert repairer. At fone4u, we perform professional diagnosis and replacement of batteries for the largest brands, including Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus. Our experts employ authentic or OEM-quality parts for long-term use and performance.

4. Dispose of the Battery Properly

A swollen battery should never be disposed of in household waste. Your mobile phone repair center or electronics recycling facility can dispose of it in a way that is environmentally friendly and in accordance with the law.

Future Prevention of Battery Swelling

• Do Not Charge It Excessively
  

Turn off or unplug your device when it is at 100%. You can also enable charging modes that have been optimized if your phone supports them (on iPhones or Samsung phones).

• Use Original or Certified Chargers
  

Use manufacturer-approved chargers only. Fast chargers should be the same wattage as your device demands.

• Keep Your Phone Cool
  

Don't use your phone while it charges or store it under pillows, cars, or sunlight for long periods.

• Avoid Draining to 0%
  

Try to have your battery level between 20% and 80% to reduce strain on the battery cells.

• Replace Aging Batteries
  

If your phone is over 2 years old and starts to have battery issues, it's best to change the battery ahead of time rather than waiting for it to bulge.

Final Thoughts

Battery bulging is a dangerous and urgent issue that may occur to any smartphone, regardless of the brand. Although it is not common, it's always wise to stay cautious and act quickly in the event that you notice signs of bulging. Fone4u excels at fast, secure, and guaranteed battery replacement—keeping you on the go without endangering you.

If you're experiencing battery issues or would like a battery check done for free, contact us or drop into a local Fone4U shop in Ireland. We'll have your phone running at top performance—so you can enjoy performance, peace of mind, and power that lasts.