PURPOSE: With the advancement of technology and widespread smartphone use, addiction to these devices has escalated, particularly among college students. This issue transcends mere habit, impacting physical, psychological, and social well-being. Prolonged screen exposure and excessive app engagement contribute to vision and hearing deterioration, alongside heightened psychological stress and diminished social skills. The dual-process theory offers a unique lens to explore the intricate dynamics of smartphone addiction. Incorporating physical activity as a healthy lifestyle choice can bolster self-control and mitigate the allure of smartphones by enhancing physical engagement. METHODS: A total of 559 college students from two universities, Wuhan University of Science and Technology and Central China Normal University, were surveyed using the Physical Activity Scale, Stress Perception Scale, self-control Scale, and smartphone Addiction Burnout Scale. The questionnaire was statistically analyzed using SPSS 27.0 statistical analysis software. Correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediation model were used to evaluate the relationships among physical activity, self-control, stress perception, and smartphone addiction among college students. RESULTS: Physical activity was a significant negative predictor of smartphone addiction among college students(β = -0.038, p < 0.001), and with the addition of the intermediate variables (self-control and stress perception), physical activity remained a significant negative predictor of smartphone addiction among college students (β = -0.017,p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Physical activity and self-control negatively predicted smartphone addiction, and stress perception was a negative predictor of smartphone addiction;self-control mediates in physical activity and smartphone addiction;stress perception mediates physical activity and smartphone addiction;self-control and stress perception play a chain mediating role in physical activity and smartphone addiction.