On this page
01Why heat is the first thing to fix
The best mobile gaming accessories deal with heat before anything else. When a phone's chip gets hot, the phone slows it down on purpose to protect itself. That's the frame drop you feel 20 minutes into a match, and often the screen dims at the same time.
Charging while you play makes it worse, because the battery adds its own heat. So does a thick case, a sunny window seat or a bed duvet blocking the back of the phone. A cooler or a better case won't make a phone faster than it was built to be. It lets the phone stay at full speed for longer.
Take the case off for long sessions, play away from direct sun, close apps you're not using and drop the brightness a notch. If that's enough, you don't need a cooler. More on what's normal in phone overheating while charging.
021. A phone cooler
Phone coolers clip or snap onto the back of the phone over the hottest spot, usually near the top behind the chip. There are two kinds, and the difference matters.
| Type | How it cools | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fan cooler | Blows air across the back of the phone | Casual and mid-length sessions | Gentle effect; some noise |
| Semiconductor (Peltier) cooler | A plate that gets cold when powered, plus a fan | Long sessions on demanding games | Needs USB power; condensation in humid rooms |
| Cooling case | Vents or a heat-spreading back panel | Everyday use, no extra gadget | Helps less than an active cooler |
+Semiconductor cooler upsides
- Noticeably colder than a fan alone
- Can keep a phone cool while it charges
- Clip or magnetic attachment options
–Downsides
- Needs a power source, usually a USB cable
- A cold plate in a humid room can collect condensation
- Adds weight to the phone in your hands
A plate colder than the room can gather moisture, like a cold drink on a hot day. Use the cooler's milder setting in humid weather and check the back of the phone after long sessions.
Snap-on fan coolers, a semiconductor cooler and a cooler with built-in triggers.
Want the deeper breakdown on cooler types? See phone coolers for gaming.
032. A right-angle charging cable
Hold a phone sideways and a straight cable sticks out right where your palm goes. A 90-degree plug runs the cable along the edge of the phone instead. It's comfortable, and it puts less strain on the port when you shift your grip.
- Check the plug end matches your phone. USB-C for Android phones and iPhone 15 or later; Lightning for iPhone 14 and earlier.
- Check the other end matches your charger. USB-A or USB-C.
- Braided cables handle the constant bending of gaming better than thin rubber ones.
Long sessions on the charger mean more heat. Use a charger that matches your phone rather than the biggest one you own; more watts on the label doesn't force more power into the phone. Can you use a higher-watt charger? explains why it's safe either way.
Elbow plugs that stay out of your grip in landscape.
043. A thin, cooling case
Thick rugged cases trap heat against the back of the phone. If you game a lot, a slim case with vents or a heat-dissipating back is a better everyday choice. It also lets a snap-on cooler sit closer to the phone, which is where it does its best work.
Using a magnetic cooler? You'll need a magnetic case or a phone with built-in magnets for it to hold. Clip-style coolers grip the phone's edges instead and work with most slim cases. See the heat dissipation cases, and our blog's honest look at whether a heat dissipation case stops overheating.
054. A stand for controller play
Pair a Bluetooth controller and you can play with the phone propped up on a desk or table, which keeps your hands off the hot phone entirely. Most Xbox and PlayStation wireless controllers pair with recent iPhones and Android phones through Bluetooth settings. A stable desk stand at eye height is all you need.
Pick one that holds the phone in landscape and leaves the charging port free, so you can plug in during long sessions. Our desk phone holder guide compares the styles.
06Turn on your phone's game settings
-
iPhone: let Game Mode run
Since iOS 18, iPhone switches on Game Mode automatically when you open a game. It cuts background activity and lowers Bluetooth latency for controllers and AirPods. You'll see a notification when it kicks in.
-
Galaxy: open Game Booster
Open Gaming Hub, tap More (the three lines), then Game Booster. This is where Samsung keeps its performance and notification options for games.
-
Galaxy: pause charging while you play
In Game Booster, turn on Pause USB PD charging when gaming. The phone runs from the charger instead of charging the battery, which cuts heat. Samsung says it needs a 25W or higher USB PD charger with PPS, and the battery must be above 20%. Not every model supports it.
-
Any phone: silence the interruptions
Use Do Not Disturb or a Gaming Focus so notifications don't drop over the screen mid-match.
Samsung's pause feature is one of the best reasons to own a proper fast charger. If you're not sure yours qualifies, Samsung Super Fast Charging explained covers the 25W and 45W standards.
Questions people ask
Do phone coolers actually work?
Yes, for heat-related slowdowns. A cooler keeps the chip from throttling, so the phone holds its performance longer. It won't make a phone faster than its normal top speed, and it won't help if lag comes from your connection.
Is it bad to game while charging?
It adds heat, and heat is what wears batteries. It's fine now and then. If you do it a lot, use a cooler, take thick cases off, and on supported Galaxy phones turn on Pause USB PD charging in Game Booster.
Can a phone cooler damage my phone?
A fan cooler is very low risk. Semiconductor coolers get cold enough to form condensation in humid rooms, so use a milder setting in damp weather and check the phone's back after long sessions.
Can I use a PS5 or Xbox controller on my phone?
Usually, yes. Most recent iPhones and Android phones pair with Xbox Wireless and PlayStation DualSense controllers over Bluetooth. Put the controller in pairing mode and add it from your phone's Bluetooth settings.
What is the best case for mobile gaming?
A slim case with vents or a heat-dissipating back. It traps less heat than a thick rugged case and leaves room for a snap-on cooler.