Quick Answer
Yes, you should stop using your phone immediately if you notice the battery is swollen. A swollen phone battery is dangerous and could potentially catch fire or explode. The safest option is to turn off your phone, stop charging it, and get the battery replaced by a professional as soon as possible.
What causes phone batteries to swell up?
There are a few potential causes for a swollen phone battery:
- Overheating – Batteries can swell from getting too hot, especially while charging or running intensive apps.
- Physical damage – Dropping your phone can damage the internals and cause the battery to swell.
- Old age – Phone batteries swell as they chemically age and degrade over years of use.
- Manufacturing defects – In rare cases, some batteries have defects from the factory that lead them to swell prematurely.
Overcharging and intense phone use while charging seem to be the most common factors. The battery contains volatile chemicals under pressure, and when damaged, gas builds up inside the swelling battery over time.
Dangers and risks of using a phone with a swollen battery
A swollen phone battery is extremely dangerous because of the potential for:
- Fire – Heat, sparks, overcharging, or physical damage can make the chemicals and gases combust inside the battery.
- Explosion – Enough pressure buildup can rupture the battery case, causing the battery to burst.
- Toxic gas leaks – Swelling breaks down the protective battery housing, risking dangerous vapor leaks.
- Electric shock – A damaged swollen battery can trigger energy leaks to the phone’s circuitry.
The pressure increases the chance of imminent failure. Using a phone with moderate to severe battery swelling is extremely unsafe.
Signs your phone’s battery is swollen
Watch for these warning signs of a swollen or bulging battery in your smartphone:
- Your phone case seems tighter or starts popping open
- The front or back phone panel bulges out and won’t lay flat
- You can see the shape of the battery warped under the screen
- The screen starts separating from the body
- Buttons or ports get pushed out and stop functioning
Any amount of swelling visible through the screen or casing means the chemicals inside have expanded. Don’t use the phone and get the battery replaced.
What to do if your phone battery is swollen
If you confirm your phone battery is swollen or warping the case:
- Stop using the phone immediately – Don’t turn the phone on or charge it when swollen.
- Remove SIM card – Eject your SIM card in case you have to discard the phone.
- Backup phone data – Copy files to a computer if phone functionality permits.
- Contact phone manufacturer – Ask about battery replacement options for that model.
- Replace battery at service center – Take safety precautions until a new battery is installed.
Never puncture or open a swollen battery yourself. The chemicals inside are hazardous and require special handling. Getting a replacement from an authorized service technician is crucial when dealing with a defective or damaged battery.
| Battery Swelling Severity | Risk Level |
|---|---|
| Flat battery or no swelling visible | Safe to use phone |
| Slight warping under screen only | Monitor swelling; stop charging |
| Noticeable swelling across battery area | High risk; stop using phone |
| Severe swelling bending phone case | Extreme risk; replace battery immediately |
As shown in the table, once swelling becomes visible externally through warped phone panels, the failing battery poses high danger of imminent failure and should not be charged or used. Replace swollen batteries promptly.
Can I prevent my phone battery from swelling up?
You can minimize the chances of lithium-ion battery swelling by:
- Avoiding dropping or crushing your phone
- Storing phone in cool places, not high heat
- Only using the manufacturer’s approved charger
- Unplugging your phone when at 100% charge
- Only charging your phone within 32°F to 113°F temperature range
- Following battery break-in procedure when new
However, after 2-3 years of normal use, phone batteries wear down regardless. Swelling tends to indicate the battery has reached expiration. Carefully monitor phone batteries over 3 years old. Ultimately replacing an old battery is recommended to avoid swelling issues altogether.
Can I use a phone with a swollen battery temporarily?
You should avoid using a phone with any amount of notable battery swelling. But what if replacing the battery will take days and you urgently need basic phone functions?
In an emergency, very slight battery swelling may be safe for TEMPORARY use if:
- Swelling is not severe enough to warp the phone case
- You stop charging the phone immediately
- Only make/receive critical phone calls for emergencies
- Power down the phone when not needed
- Monitor swelling hasn’t increased
- Keep phone use under 15 minutes at a time
- Keep flammable materials clear in case of fire
This temporary workaround is still extremely risky but may be necessary if replacing the battery will take over a day and you urgently need access to phone calls. However, DO NOT charge the phone battery or use the phone for more than brief emergency calls until the swollen battery is properly replaced. Stop phone use immediately if swelling spreads further or you notice heat, odors, leaks, or display issues.
Can a swollen phone battery explode?
Yes, swollen lithium-ion batteries can potentially explode, although explosions are rare if you stop using the phone. Continued charging and prolonged use when the battery is visibly swollen significantly increases the risk of combustion.
The most likely failure scenarios are:
- Thermal runaway causing battery fire
- Rupture triggering a small blast voiding flammable electrolytes
- Vent failure leading to a flame jet from gas release
These dangerous events can be avoided by stopping swollen battery use immediately. With proper precautions after noticing swelling, full explosions don’t typically occur. However, the chemicals are unstable and can ignite, burn, or leak from swollen battery compartments. Be very careful handling swollen phone batteries.
Conclusion
Letting a swollen phone battery continue charging and discharging further strains the damaged internal structure. The expanding liquid electrolytes and gasses create extreme internal pressure needing only a small trigger to start a fire. Stop using the phone ASAP if you confirm the battery swelling visually or by a deforming case. Arrange replacement by the manufacturer instead of risking the potential dangers of explosion, burning, leaks, and electric shocks. Handle swollen batteries very gently and don’t attempt to open damaged lithium-ion cells.
