Updated 19 October 2026.
Stop using and charging a phone that smells of burning. An unusual odor, swelling, leaking, hissing or excessive heat can indicate a battery or electrical fault. You cannot establish that it is harmless by trying another charging cycle.
If there is smoke, hissing, flames or rapidly increasing heat, move away, alert other people and call your local emergency services from a safe place. Do not pick up the device or carry it through the building.
If there is no smoke and you can act safely
- Stop the activity and charging session.
- Disconnect the charger at the power source only if you can do so without approaching smoke or touching hot or damaged parts.
- Switch the phone off only if it is safe to handle.
- Keep other people away and seek advice from the manufacturer or a qualified service provider.
Do not put yourself at risk to complete these steps. The US Fire Administration’s battery guidance says to stop using lithium-ion batteries when signs such as odor, excessive heat, shape changes, leaking or odd noises appear.
What not to do
| Avoid | Why it is the wrong next step |
|---|---|
| Charging again to see whether it happens twice | A warning sign needs assessment, not another powered test. |
| Opening, squeezing or puncturing a swollen phone | Handling can damage the battery further. |
| Continuing to use it to make a backup | Keeping the suspect device powered is not worth the risk. |
| Putting it in ordinary household rubbish | Damaged lithium-ion batteries need suitable disposal arrangements. |
Apple‘s iPhone safety information likewise advises discontinuing use when damage to the phone or battery is suspected. A non-Apple device needs its manufacturer’s instructions, not an assumption that the fault is cosmetic.
Could the smell come from the charger?
It may originate in the adapter, cable, connector, phone or another nearby electrical item. Stop using the suspected charging equipment too. Do not repeatedly swap parts into a damaged device to diagnose the smell yourself.
If an outlet or fixed electrical installation is affected, get appropriate electrical assistance. Leave emergency response to the fire service when there are active warning signs.
Arrange service or disposal before reuse
Once the immediate situation is safe, contact the manufacturer or a qualified repair service and describe the warning signs. Tell them the battery may be damaged before transporting it. Ask for suitable collection or handling instructions rather than mailing it as an ordinary parcel.
For a device that is healthy and has been cleared for use, our phone charging-in-the-car guide covers routine charging and heat management. Those normal-use tips do not apply to a phone already showing a burning smell.
FAQs
Should I charge it once more to test it?
No. Stop using and charging it until it has been assessed.
Should I back up my photos immediately?
Do not keep a suspect device powered to make a backup. Put safety first and discuss data recovery with the service provider.
What if the phone is smoking?
Move away, alert others and call local emergency services from safety. Do not carry the device.
Can I throw a damaged battery in the bin?
No. Contact an appropriate battery collection or hazardous-waste service for instructions.