Apple will replace your battery if it has degraded below 80 percent capacity

Apple replaces batteries in iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and Apple Watches when the battery has lost enough capacity that it no longer holds a full charge reliably. The threshold is usually 80 percent of the original capacity — once your battery drops below that, Apple considers it worn and will swap it for a new one. You do not need to buy a new device.

The catch is that Apple charges for this service unless your device is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare+. If you are outside the warranty period, you will pay a flat fee that varies by device type. For an iPhone, that fee is typically between $50 and $70. For a MacBook, it can run $130 to $200 depending on the model. iPad and Apple Watch batteries fall somewhere in between.

You can check your battery health yourself before you go in. On iPhone, open Settings, tap Battery, then Battery Health & Charging. On Mac, hold Option and click the battery icon in the menu bar. If your maximum capacity is below 80 percent, Apple will replace it. If it is above 80 percent, they will not, even if the battery drains faster than it used to.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple replaces batteries when maximum capacity drops below 80 percent, which you can check yourself in Settings on iPhone or by holding Option and clicking the battery icon on Mac.
  • Battery replacement costs $50 to $70 for iPhone, $130 to $200 for MacBook, and less for iPad and Apple Watch, unless your device is under warranty or you have AppleCare+.
  • You must visit an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider in person — Apple does not mail you a replacement battery to install yourself.
  • The replacement usually takes the same day if you book an appointment, though some stores may need to order the part and call you back.
  • If your battery is above 80 percent but drains unusually fast, the problem may be a software issue or a different hardware fault, and Apple will diagnose it for free.

How to book a battery replacement at your nearest Apple Store

Go to apple.com/support and select your device type. Click "Battery and Charging" or "Battery Service," then choose "Make a Reservation" or "Book a Service." You will be asked to enter your device serial number or IMEI, which you can find in Settings under About. Apple will show you available appointment times at stores near you.

You can also call your local Apple Store directly or walk in without an appointment, though walk-ins may have a longer wait. Bring your device and a form of ID. If you are not the original owner, bring proof of purchase or a receipt, because Apple will not service a device under someone else's name without it.

At the appointment, a technician will run a battery diagnostic to confirm the capacity is below 80 percent. If it is, they will quote you the price and ask you to approve the work. The replacement itself takes 30 minutes to an hour. Some stores stock batteries in-house and can finish the same day. Others may need to order the part, in which case they will call you when it arrives — usually within a few days.

What Apple will and will not replace under warranty

If your device is within one year of purchase, the battery is covered under Apple's standard limited warranty at no cost — as long as the battery failure is not your fault. That means if the battery straightforward degraded from normal use, Apple replaces it free. If you dropped the phone in water or cracked the screen, the battery replacement is still free, but you may have to pay for the water damage or screen repair first.

AppleCare+ extends this coverage to two years (or three years on some newer models) and covers accidental damage as well. With AppleCare+, battery replacement is free even after the standard warranty ends, as long as the capacity is below 80 percent. You can check whether you have AppleCare+ by going to Settings > General > About on iPhone, or System Settings > General > About on Mac, and looking for the AppleCare+ section.

If your device is out of warranty and you do not have AppleCare+, you pay the full service fee. There is no discount for out-of-warranty battery replacement — Apple charges the same flat rate whether your device is one year old or five years old.

Why Apple will not replace a battery above 80 percent capacity

Apple's 80 percent threshold is based on industry standards for battery health. At 80 percent capacity, a battery can no longer reliably deliver the power your device needs under heavy load — apps may crash, the device may shut down unexpectedly, or the screen may dim to preserve power. Below 80 percent, the battery is considered genuinely worn and needs replacement.

If your battery is at 85 percent but your phone drains in four hours, the problem is not the battery capacity — it is something else. That could be a background app using power, a software bug, or a different hardware fault like a failing charging port or a short circuit on the logic board. Apple will run a free diagnostic to find out. If they find a different problem, they may charge you to fix it, or they may determine the device is not worth repairing and offer you a trade-in credit toward a new one.

Authorized Service Providers as an alternative to Apple Store

If there is no Apple Store near you, you can take your device to an Apple Authorized Service Provider — usually a carrier store like Verizon or AT&T, or an independent repair shop that Apple has certified. They charge the same fees as Apple and use genuine Apple parts. The appointment process is the same: call ahead or book online through the provider's website.

The main difference is speed. Some Authorized Service Providers have longer wait times than Apple Stores, and some may not stock all battery types in-house. Call ahead to ask whether they have your device's battery in stock and how long the replacement will take. If they do not, ask whether they can order it and when you can pick it up.

What happens if you replace the battery yourself or use a third-party repair shop

You can buy a replacement battery online and install it yourself, or take your device to an independent repair shop that is not Apple-certified. Third-party batteries are usually cheaper — $15 to $40 for an iPhone battery — and some shops charge $50 to $100 for the labor. The trade-off is that a non-genuine battery may not last as long, may not report its health accurately to your device, and may void any remaining warranty coverage.

If you use a third-party battery and something goes wrong — the battery overheats, the device will not charge, or the battery drains in an hour — Apple will not repair it for free. They will tell you the problem is caused by the non-genuine part and charge you for a full replacement. In some cases, they may refuse to service the device at all until you replace the third-party battery with a genuine one.

For most people, paying Apple's flat fee is worth the peace of mind. You get a genuine battery, a warranty on the replacement, and the assurance that if something goes wrong, Apple will fix it.

How long a replacement battery lasts and when you might need another one

A genuine Apple replacement battery is the same as the one that came in your device. It will degrade at the same rate — roughly 1 to 2 percent per year under normal use. If your original battery lasted three years before hitting 80 percent, the replacement should last about three years as well. After that, you can have it replaced again for the same fee.

Battery life depends on how often you charge, how hot the device gets, and whether you use power-hungry apps. If you charge your phone every night and keep it cool, the battery will last longer. If you let it drain to zero regularly, use it in hot weather, or run demanding games all day, it will degrade faster. There is no way to stop degradation entirely — it is a natural part of how lithium batteries work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my battery needs replacement or if something else is draining power?

Check your battery health in Settings. If maximum capacity is below 80 percent, the battery is worn. If it is above 80 percent but your device drains fast, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Usage and see which apps are using the most power. If one app is using far more than others, that app may be the problem. If power use is spread across many apps or if you see "System Services" using a lot of power, take your device to Apple for a free diagnostic.

Can I get a battery replacement the same day I book an appointment?

Most Apple Stores can replace a battery the same day if they have the part in stock and you book an appointment. Walk-ins may wait longer. Call your store before you go to ask whether they have your device's battery available. If they do not, ask how long it will take to order and whether you can pick it up later that week.

Do I lose my data when Apple replaces the battery?

No. Battery replacement does not require erasing your device. Apple removes the battery and installs a new one without touching your data, apps, or settings. Your device will be exactly the same when you pick it up.

What if my device is still under warranty but the battery is at 85 percent?

Apple will not replace a battery above 80 percent, even under warranty. If your device is draining unusually fast despite the high capacity, ask Apple to run a diagnostic. They may find a different problem that is covered under warranty, or they may determine the battery is fine and the issue is software-related.

Is it cheaper to buy a new device than to replace the battery?

For most people, no. A battery replacement costs $50 to $200 depending on the device. A new phone, tablet, or laptop costs hundreds or thousands of dollars. Unless your device has other hardware problems or is very old, replacing the battery is the cheaper option and will extend the device's useful life by several more years.