Two iPhone 14 Pro displaying their home screens, standing side by side on a desk with an iMac in the background, illustrating a modern workspace setup with Apple devices.

So, your iPhone 14 model feels like it could double as a pocket-sized hand warmer? Yeah, I’ve been there too. After several months of daily use – shooting 4K videos for my piano YouTube channel, binge-streaming Netflix, gaming, and fast charging it between classes – I noticed my device (iPhone 14 Pro Max) getting noticeably hot many times. But before we panic and start imagining our iPhones spontaneously combusting, let’s unpack what’s genuinely overheating and what’s just Apple’s version of “normal.”

Here’s the deal: every smartphone generates heat. It’s physics 101 – when your phone works hard, it naturally loses energy as heat. Think about running a marathon versus strolling through the park; one will leave you sweating, the other not so much. Similarly, demanding tasks like gaming, recording 4k video, or wireless charging push your iPhone 14 harder, generating more heat. Apple explicitly acknowledges this, especially during intensive tasks or immediately after setup.

But how hot is too hot?

If your iPhone feels slightly warm, that’s usually nothing to worry about. Real overheating happens when your device noticeably struggles – think screen dimming dramatically, charging slowing down or stopping entirely, features like the camera flash disabling, or even seeing the dreaded temperature warning. These are the red flags Apple warns about.

This guide will help you understand exactly why your iPhone 14 might be overheating and how you can cool things down, based on real-world scenarios I’ve personally dealt with.

Note: This article applies to all iPhone 14 models (iPhone 14, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max) and, for the most part, also to newer iPhone models like the iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 series.

What Are Common Reasons Why Your iPhone 14 Overheats?

An iPhone 14 Pro Max standing on a desk.

Spoiler alert: It's rarely just one thing causing your iPhone 14 to run hot. Usually, it's a cocktail of factors – what apps you're running, how iOS is behaving, your charging habits, even the weather outside. Let's break down the usual suspects.

1. Intensive Tasks Pushing the Limits

Apps that push the CPU and GPU—like high-res games, 4K video editing (my daily grind), augmented reality apps, or long camera sessions—inevitably heat things up. The harder your iPhone works, the hotter it gets. Simple as that.

For instance, filming my YouTube piano tutorials in 4K was a surefire way to make the iPhone noticeably warm after about 15 minutes—still safe, but definitely toasty. If this is your scenario, a little heat is nothing unusual.

2. Software Glitches & iOS Updates

Sometimes, the heat isn't your fault – it's the code. A buggy app can get stuck in a loop, running wild in the background and chewing through CPU cycles (and battery) without you even realizing it.

Then there are iOS updates. Just installed the latest version? Expect some temporary warmth for maybe a day or two. Your iPhone is busy doing background chores: re-indexing photos for search, updating Spotlight data, getting app caches sorted. It's intensive stuff.

However, if your phone stays consistently hot long after an update (I vividly recall the widespread overheating complaints after iOS 16.5 and early versions of iOS 17), that might point to a bug Apple needs to fix, not just normal post-update housekeeping. Keep an eye on it.

3. Charging

Charging generates heat, period. Fast charging? Even more heat, because you're pushing more power in faster. Now, combine that with playing a game or streaming video while charging? You're essentially asking the phone to sprint a marathon while carrying weights – it's gonna get hot.

Wireless charging, including Apple's own MagSafe, also tends to generate more heat than a standard cable. If you misalign the phone on the pad, it can get even worse – inefficient charging means wasted energy, often dissipated as heat in both the phone and the charger.

And please, use decent charging gear. Stick to Apple's own chargers or MFi-certified (Made for iPhone) accessories from reputable brands. Cheap, uncertified knock-offs can be inefficient, potentially generating excess heat and posing safety risks. My inner skeptic always side-eyes dodgy chargers.

See that "Charging On Hold" notification pop up around 80% sometimes? That's usually just the iPhone's built-in thermal protection kicking in. It's pausing to cool down, especially common during fast charging or in warm rooms. It's a feature, not necessarily a fault, unless it happens constantly in cool conditions.

4. Environmental Factors

Where you use your phone matters. Obvious one: leaving it baking in direct sunlight or on your car's dashboard on a sunny day is a recipe for rapid overheating. Cars turn into greenhouses fast, easily exceeding the iPhone's safe storage temperatures.

Even just high ambient temperatures – a hot summer day – make it harder for the phone to cool itself down naturally. Apple's official "safe operating temperature" range is 0° to 35° Celsius (that's 32° to 95° Fahrenheit). Using it outside that range, especially on the hot end, doesn't just trigger warnings; Apple warns it can permanently shorten battery life. Yikes.

5. Background Activity Overload

Think your phone is just sitting there idle? Probably not. Background App Refresh lets apps constantly ping servers for updates. Location services (GPS) being used frequently by multiple apps? That's a drain. A flood of notifications? iCloud Photos syncing your entire camera roll after a weekend trip? App tracking features phoning home? It all adds up to background processing, which means low-level, but constant, heat generation.

6. Connectivity Struggles

This is a big one people often overlook. Stuck in an area with terrible cell signal (looking at you, basement lecture halls or remote train routes)? Your iPhone has to crank up its cellular radio power massively just to stay connected. Think of it like shouting across a noisy room versus talking normally. That extra effort = significant heat, especially considering the iPhone 14 utilizes modern connectivity like eSIM technology (learn more about how eSIMs work here). One bar of signal can genuinely make your phone work way harder (and hotter) than four or five bars.

Using 5G can also be a bit more power-hungry and thus heat-prone than LTE (4G), especially if the 5G signal itself is weak or patchy (if you find yourself stuck on LTE when you expect 5G, check out these potential fixes ). And generally, heavy data use over cellular (streaming video, big downloads, cloud backups) will contribute more heat than doing the same over Wi-Fi.

7. The Case Against Some Cases

Your iPhone is designed to dissipate heat, mostly through its back surface. While cases are essential for protection (and I value durability!), some designs can unfortunately work against cooling. Really thick, bulky cases, especially those made of insulating materials or without cutouts designed for the iPhone 14's specific heat points, can act like a blanket, trapping heat and making it harder for the phone to cool down. It's a trade-off: maximum protection sometimes means compromised thermals.

8. Battery Health & Deeper Hardware Issues

An aging battery can also be a factor. As lithium-ion batteries degrade over time (check yours in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging), they become less efficient. They might struggle to deliver power smoothly, work harder, and generate more heat during normal use or charging (and often causing the battery to drain frustratingly quickly – a problem I cover with solutions here ). If your Maximum Capacity is significantly below, say, 85-80%, the battery itself might be contributing to the warmth.

Less commonly, persistent overheating could signal an underlying hardware fault. Maybe damage from a drop (even if invisible), liquid exposure, or an issue with internal components like those flex cables mentioned for the iPhone 14 series (related to back glass, sensors, charging port – sometimes damaged during repairs). If the overheating started suddenly after an incident or repair, and none of the software or usage tweaks help, it might be time for a professional diagnosis (similar to the troubleshooting needed if your iPhone 14 Pro Max won't turn on at all). Lastly, water damage is another sneaky cause of weird thermal behavior.

How to Cool Down Your iPhone 14

iPhone 14 Pro Max Display with Dynamic Island

Okay, your iPhone 14 is officially feeling like a pocket radiator. Time for some practical first aid and deeper fixes. We'll go through the steps I'd take, starting with the quick wins and moving towards the more involved solutions.

When things get too hot, you need to act fast. Here’s the triage plan:

Immediate First Aid (Do These NOW!)

Disconnect Power
If it's plugged in or sitting on a wireless charger – stop. Charging adds heat, simple as that. Yank the cable or lift it off the pad. First step, always.
Case Off!
I know, you bought that case for protection, and I value durability too. But right now, that thick case might be acting like a winter coat. Pop it off. Let the phone's actual surface breathe and dissipate that heat into the air.
Seek Shade & Cool
Get it out of direct sunlight immediately. Move it off that scorching car dashboard or windowsill. Find a cool, shaded, ideally well-ventilated spot. Seriously though, do not put your iPhone in the refrigerator or freezer. I know it's tempting, but the rapid temperature change can cause condensation inside the phone, leading to water damage. You'd be trading a temporary heat issue for potentially permanent damage. Not worth it.
Power Down (or Pause Heavy Tasks)
The absolute quickest way to cool things down? Turn the phone off completely for a few minutes. This halts everything generating heat. If you can't power down, at least stop doing whatever processor-intensive task likely caused the heat spike – quit that demanding game, pause the 4K video recording (I know the pain when recording heats things up!), stop the heavy streaming. Give the internals a break.
Gentle Airflow
A little air movement helps. Gently fanning it with some paper works. Just common sense cooling. Avoid blasting compressed air into the ports; you risk forcing debris further in or damaging sensitive components.

Software Tweaks & Settings (Try These Next)

If your iPhone 14 frequently runs hot even without obvious triggers like direct sun, it's time to dig into software settings. These often help curb chronic warmth.

Close Unused Apps
Force-close apps you aren't actively using, especially known resource hogs like graphics-heavy games or social media apps with endless feeds. On your iPhone 14, swipe up from the bottom edge, pause slightly in the middle to bring up the app switcher, then swipe up on the app previews you want to close. Fewer background processes = less heat.
Reduce Screen Brightness
Lower your screen brightness. That beautiful display consumes significant power and generates heat. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center and drag the brightness slider down. Or find it in Settings > Display & Brightness.
Airplane Mode in Dead Zones
This is a big one I've found useful, especially on campus in lecture halls with spotty reception. If you're in an area with poor cellular signal (one or two bars), your phone works much harder (and gets hotter) trying to maintain that connection. Flick on Airplane Mode via Control Center or Settings. This instantly stops the cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth radios from searching, saving battery and reducing heat significantly. Just remember to turn it off when you're back in good coverage.
Restart or Force Restart
Yes, the "turn it off and on again" trick often works wonders. It can clear out temporary software glitches or runaway background processes causing excess heat. Press and hold the side button and either volume button, then slide to power off. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the side button to turn it back on.

If the screen is unresponsive, try a force restart: Quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo. (Sometimes system features like Emergency SOS can be triggered accidentally or seem stuck after glitches; if you need to understand or manage those specific settings, you can find the guide for turning off SOS here ).

Update iOS and Apps
Keep your software current! This sounds basic, but outdated iOS versions or apps can have bugs or inefficiencies that lead to overheating. Make sure you're on the latest iOS (Settings > General > Software Update) and update your apps regularly via the App Store. Fixes often include performance improvements.
Enable Low Power Mode
Find it in Settings > Battery (you can also add it to Control Center for quick access). Low Power Mode is designed to save battery, but it does so by reducing background activity, lowering brightness faster, limiting screen refresh rates, and dialing back visual effects. A useful side effect? Less heat generation. It's a great temporary measure when things get warm, or if you notice high battery drain alongside the heat.
Tame Background Activity
- Background App Refresh: Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. This lets apps fetch content when you're not using them. Convenient? Sometimes. A source of constant low-level drain and heat? Often. Consider turning it off entirely, or at least disabling it for apps that don't absolutely needreal-time updates (most social media, news apps unless you live for push notifications).
- Location Services & Notifications: Be mindful of what's tracking you. Head to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Review which apps have access. Do they need it "Always"? Probably not. Switch non-essentials to "While Using App" or "Never". Under System Services here, you might also consider toggling off unnecessary background tracking. Similarly, reducing the sheer volume of notifications (Settings > Notifications) can lessen the constant background chatter. My privacy-focused side definitely recommends auditing these settings periodically.
Check Your Storage
While rarely the direct cause, an iPhone that's almost completely full can sometimes experience performance issues, which might indirectly contribute to heating. Check your available space in Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If you're down to the last few GBs, try deleting unused apps, offloading large media files, or clearing caches where possible. Some third-party tools claim to help with cleanup (like CleanMy®Phone, often part of subscription bundles like Setapp), but start with manual deletion first.
Reset All Settings (Getting Serious)
If you strongly suspect a persistent software glitch and nothing else helps, this is a step before considering a full factory reset. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. This does not erase your personal data (apps, photos, messages stay). However, it does reset system settings like Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth pairings, screen settings, location/privacy preferences, etc., back to their defaults. You'll have to set those up again. You can pretty much think of it as a system settings refresh.
Advanced Disabling
Some users I’ve encountered during my research, desperate to reduce heat, have tried disabling features like App Tracking (Privacy & Security > Tracking), Always On Display (Display & Brightness), Analytics sharing (Privacy & Security), Motion & Fitness tracking (Privacy & Security), or even automatic iCloud backups/Photos sync. Effectiveness varies wildly, and you're actively giving up features, so tread carefully here.
Factory Reset (Last Resort!)
Alright, we're deep into troubleshooting territory now. If absolutely nothing else has worked – you've reset settings, tamed background activity, ruled out environmental factors, even tried disabling advanced features – there's one final software step, but consider it the nuclear option: a full factory reset.
This process wipes everything off your iPhone – your apps, photos, messages, settings, accounts, all of it – returning it to the state it was in when you first took it out of the box. It's drastic, yes, but it can eliminate deep-seated software corruption or glitches that might be causing persistent, unexplained overheating when all other fixes fail.
Seriously, back up first! Before you even think about tapping that reset button, you absolutely MUST have a current backup of your iPhone. Use iCloud (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now) or connect to your Mac/PC and back up via Finder or iTunes/Apple Devices app. If you skip this step, your personal data will be gone forever. No recovery. You've been warned.
Once you're safely backed up and ready to commit, the path is: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
Follow the on-screen prompts carefully. The process will take several minutes.
After it's done, your iPhone will restart as if it were brand new. You'll have two main choices:
1. Set it up as new: Don't restore your backup immediately. Use the phone minimally with just the basics for a while to see if the overheating issue persists on a completely clean slate. If it still gets hot doing simple things, that points very strongly towards a hardware problem.
2. Restore from your backup: Bring back all your apps, data, and settings. If the overheating returns after restoring, it suggests the issue might be linked to specific data, an app, or a setting within your backup.
This is the final software Hail Mary before moving on to suspecting hardware.

Hardware Health Checks (Before Seeking Repair)

If software tweaks don't solve persistent overheating, it's time to consider the hardware itself.

Battery Health Status
Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. Look at the "Maximum Capacity" percentage. If it's significantly degraded (often cited as below 80-85%), the battery itself might be struggling and generating excess heat. Also, check the "Peak Performance Capability" message – if it mentions performance management being applied or recommends service, your battery is likely a contributing factor. An aging battery is less efficient.
Physical Inspection
Give your iPhone 14 a careful look-over. Any visible cracks, bends, or signs the screen is lifting slightly from the body? Pay close attention to the back and sides – is there any sign of swelling or bulging? A swollen battery is a safety hazard and needs immediate attention. If you suspect the phone might have gotten wet, you can usually check the Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) inside the SIM card tray slot – it turns red or pink if exposed to moisture. If your overheating issues started right after a drop, impact, or potential water exposure, a hardware fault becomes much more likely.
Keep Your iPhone Clean
Dust and little bits getting stuck in the charging port can mess with your phone's cooling down process. Make sure to give your device a gentle wipe with a soft cloth now and then. First, you should turn off your iPhone 14. Then use a soft, lint-free cloth to clean the screen and back gently. For the charging port, use a soft-bristled brush to get out any debris.
Consider External Cooling
If you're dealing with a super hot environment or just using your phone a lot, think about grabbing some external cooling gear.
There are some cool (pun intended) phone cooling pads and phone cooling cases out there that can keep your device's temperature in check. Some of them, like the Black Shark Magnetic Phone Cooler, are even MagSafe compatible, making them especially useful for your iPhone 14.
Black Shark Magnetic Phone Cooler

View on Amazon

Warm vs. Cooked: Apple's Overheating Guidelines

It's easy to get paranoid about phone temperature. So, when is 'warm' just your iPhone working hard, and when is it genuinely overheating in a way Apple considers problematic? Knowing the official guidelines helps cut through the anxiety.

Apple's Temperature Boundaries

Apple is pretty specific about the ideal temperature ranges:

Operating Zone
0° to 35° Celsius (that's 32° to 95° Fahrenheit). Using your iPhone in temps hotter than this can force it to throttle performance to cool down, and Apple warns it can permanently shorten battery life.
Storage Zone
-20° to 45° Celsius (-4° to 113° Fahrenheit). Don't leave it cooking in a parked car on a sunny day or freezing in a snowbank overnight. Both extremes are bad for the battery and potentially other components.

**The Real Signs of Overheating (According to Apple**)

Your iPhone has built-in safeguards. If its internal temperature truly exceeds the normal operating range, it will start actively protecting itself. You'll notice these changes – these are the red flags beyond just feeling warm:

Charging Grinds to a Halt
Charging speed (wired or wireless) drops dramatically, or it stops completely. You might see that "Charging On Hold" notification persistently, even if the room isn't hot.
Screen Dims Dramatically
The display gets noticeably dimmer on its own, or might even go black temporarily.
Cell Signal Weakens
The cellular radios switch to a low-power state to reduce heat, potentially tanking your signal strength.
Camera Flash Disabled
Trying to take a photo with flash? It'll be greyed out or refuse to fire. Other camera features might also become temporarily unavailable. (If you're experiencing other camera glitches, like the iPhone 14 camera constantly refocusing, that could indicate separate software bugs needing attention, distinct from simple heat management)
Performance Tanks
The phone feels noticeably sluggish. Apps lag, scrolling stutters, animations get choppy – that frustrating delay when you're trying to get something done.
Navigation Alert
If you're using maps for directions, you might get a specific alert saying "Temperature: iPhone needs to cool down" and the screen might turn off (though turn-by-turn audio usually keeps going).
Temperature Warning Screen
This is the definitive sign. Your iPhone displays an explicit warning with a thermometer icon, saying it needs to cool down before use. Most functions lock up (though emergency calls might still work). The phone is essentially putting itself in a timeout to prevent damage.

Example of the critical overheating warning screen on an iPhone 14, displaying the "Temperature: iPhone needs to cool down" alert. — Credits: Apple

So, What's the Bottom Line?

Feeling warm to the touch after shooting 4K video for 10 minutes or while fast charging? Generally expected. Uncomfortably hot to hold for simple tasks? Refusing to charge properly in a cool room? Screen constantly dimming itself? Performance taking a nosedive? Seeing that actual Temperature Warning screen? That's problematic overheating that needs addressing using the steps we've discussed, or potentially professional help.

Still Overheating? When to Contact Apple Support

It's advisable to stop the DIY fixes and seek professional help from Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) if:

You frequently see that official Temperature Warning screen (the thermometer icon), especially if it pops up during normal, light usage in moderate temperatures (not just when left baking in the sun).
The phone persistently gets uncomfortably or extremely hot to the touch, way beyond just normal warmth, even during simple tasks, and after you've tried all the relevant software fixes from earlier sections.
You notice any visible physical damage, like cracks or bends, but pay extra close attention to any signs of battery swelling. This might look like the screen bulging outwards, separating from the frame, or a noticeable bump on the back. Battery swelling is a serious safety concern – get it checked immediately.
The overheating problem started immediately following a significant drop, being exposed to liquid, or perhaps after a repair was done by a non-authorized third party (sometimes internal damage isn't obvious).
The excessive heat is consistently paired with other major malfunctions, like frequent random restarts, the phone getting stuck in a boot loop, persistent screen glitches (flickering, weird colors), or other serious failures.

How to Get Professional Help

Apple offers a few ways to get support:

Contact them directly through the Apple Support app (download it if you haven't), their website, or by phone.
Book an appointment at the Genius Bar in an Apple Retail Store.
Find a local Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) – these are independent shops certified by Apple to do repairs.

You can usually find locations and book appointments via Apple's website or the Support app.

Quick Note on Warranty: Keep in mind that your iPhone 14 (if it’s still relatively new) comes with a standard one-year limited warranty (or longer coverage if you purchased AppleCare+). If the overheating is due to a manufacturing defect and you're within your coverage period, the repair should be covered by Apple. When you contact them or go in, be ready to clearly describe the overheating issue, when it happens, and crucially, what troubleshooting steps you've already taken. This helps them diagnose the problem faster.

Wrapping It Up

Look, your iPhone 14 getting warm sometimes is just part of the deal – physics in action, especially when you're pushing it hard recording long videos, gaming, or even during that initial setup phase. But actual overheating – the performance throttling, the feature shutdowns, the official warning screens, or just feeling uncomfortably hot – that needs attention.

Hopefully, the fixes and preventative habits we walked through in this guide help you tame the heat. Run through them methodically; often, it's a software quirk, a background process hog, or just needing better airflow.

But if you've tried everything here and your iPhone 14 still acts like a pocket furnace, especially if you suspect physical damage or the battery health looks rough, don't just live with it. Get professional help. It's time to reach out to Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. Don't let persistent overheating cook your investment.

Thanks a ton for sticking with me through this deep dive! I genuinely hope this breakdown gave you some practical steps to get your iPhone's temperature back under control.

Now, I want to hear from you: Did any of these fixes make a difference for your iPhone 14? Have you encountered specific apps causing chaos, or found a unique trick that worked? Drop your experiences, questions, or successes in the comments section below!

And if you appreciate this kind of practical, no-hype tech analysis – focusing on real-world use, functionality, and long-term value – then consider subscribing to my tech newsletter. You'll get more tips, in-depth reviews, and insights delivered straight to your inbox. No spam, just useful stuff to help you make informed tech decisions.

See you around, and thanks again for reading!

FAQ

Yeah, getting warm while charging is pretty normal, especially if you're using fast charging or MagSafe/wireless charging. Pushing power generates heat – basic physics.
However, if it gets uncomfortably hot to the touch, frequently pauses charging even in a cool room, or throws up that temperature warning, then something else might be wrong. Check your cable/charger (use MFi-certified!), try taking the case off, and avoid heavy use while charging, as mentioned earlier.
Occasional warmth? Almost certainly not. But frequent, severe overheating – where it hits those performance limits or shows temperature warnings – can degrade your battery's health faster over the long haul. Apple themselves state this. That's the main risk. While extremely rare, theoretically, chronic extreme heat isn't great for any electronic component, but accelerated battery aging is the most direct consequence. So, yes, it's worth addressing persistent overheating issues.
This is usually temporary and totally expected for about 24-48 hours post-update. Your iPhone is working hard in the background, re-indexing all your files, photos (for face/object recognition), Spotlight search data, and more. It's like intense digital housekeeping. Let it finish its work (keeping it plugged in and on Wi-Fi helps). If the excessive heat continues long after those first couple of days, then you might be looking at a potential bug introduced with that specific iOS version.
You bet it can. Think of your iPhone needing to breathe heat out through its back and sides. A thick, bulky, or poorly ventilated case essentially traps that heat like a winter jacket. I value durability too, but if your phone runs hot often, try using it without the case during demanding tasks (like recording video or gaming) or while charging as a test. You might be surprised. Finding a case that balances protection with decent thermal properties is key.
It certainly can contribute. 5G radios sometimes draw more power than 4G/LTE, especially if the 5G signal in your area is weak or inconsistent, forcing the phone to work harder to stay connected. If you notice your phone consistently heating up when on 5G in spotty coverage zones, try temporarily switching your cellular settings back to LTE (Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data) to see if that helps manage the temperature.
Immediate triage? Three steps:
1. Stop doing whatever is making it hot (stop charging, quit the heavy app/game).
2. Get that case OFF immediately.
3. Move the phone to a significantly cooler, shaded spot with some airflow. For the fastest cooldown, power it off completely for 5-10 minutes.
And I'll say it again: DO NOT put it in the refrigerator or freezer! Condensation risk = bad news.
Probably not "overheating" in the way that triggers Apple's critical safeguards. Normal warmth during heavy use, charging, or setup is expected. True, problematic overheating usually involves those specific symptoms Apple outlines: performance tanking, screen auto-dimming significantly, charging stopping unexpectedly, features like the camera flash being disabled, or seeing that explicit temperature warning screen. If it's just warm but operating normally, you're likely fine. If the warmth still bothers you or seems excessive for the task, the preventative tips above can still help minimize it.
It's a possibility, but usually not the first thing to suspect unless other signs point to it. Check your battery's health first (Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging). If the "Maximum Capacity" is significantly degraded (often cited as below 80-85%), then an aging, less efficient battery could be contributing to the heat because it has to work harder. If your battery health is low and you've ruled out software, usage, and environmental causes for persistent overheating, then yes, a battery replacement might be a necessary part of the solution. But exhaust the other troubleshooting steps first!
Keeping your iPhone clean is a great way to ensure it stays cool and runs smoothly. Just a quick monthly clean should do the trick to keep dust and debris at bay!