Yes, you can change your iPhone battery, but your options depend on whether you do it yourself or use Apple or a third party
You can replace an iPhone battery yourself using a kit, take it to Apple for an official replacement, or visit a third-party repair shop. Each route has different costs, timelines, and risks. Apple's official service is the safest but often the most expensive. DIY replacement is cheapest but voids your warranty and requires patience and the right tools. Third-party shops fall somewhere in between—faster and cheaper than Apple, but quality varies widely by shop.
The battery in your iPhone is glued in place and sits behind the screen, so any replacement method requires opening the phone. This is why you cannot straightforward swap it out like you might in an older device. Your choice comes down to what matters most: cost, speed, warranty protection, or convenience.
Key Takeaways
- Apple charges between $69 and $99 for an official battery replacement, depending on your iPhone model, and the work usually takes three to five business days.
- DIY battery kits cost $20 to $40 but require opening your phone with specialized tools and risk damaging the screen, logic board, or water sealing.
- Third-party repair shops typically charge $30 to $60 and can often complete the work same-day, but quality and warranty coverage vary by location.
- Replacing the battery yourself will void Apple's warranty, though your phone may still be repairable at Apple later if you cause no other damage.
- Your iPhone battery degrades naturally over time; Apple considers a battery at 80 percent capacity or lower as needing replacement.
Apple's official battery replacement service
Apple replaces iPhone batteries at its retail stores and through its mail-in repair program. The cost is $69 for iPhone 14 and earlier models, and $79 for iPhone 15 and later, though prices vary slightly by region. If your phone is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, the replacement may be free if the battery has degraded due to a manufacturing defect rather than normal wear.
To start, visit apple.com/support, select your iPhone model, and choose "Battery and Power." You can then book a Genius Bar appointment at a nearby Apple Store or request mail-in service. If you mail your phone, Apple will send you a prepaid shipping label, replace the battery, and return it within five to seven business days. In-store service usually takes three to five business days, though some locations can do it faster if they have parts in stock.
The main advantage of Apple's service is that it preserves your warranty and uses genuine Apple parts. The main drawback is the cost and wait time. If your phone has other damage—a cracked screen, for example—Apple may require you to repair that first before replacing the battery.
DIY battery replacement with a kit
You can buy a battery replacement kit online for $20 to $40. These kits typically include the battery itself, a pentalobe screwdriver (the five-pointed tool Apple uses), a plastic pry tool, tweezers, and adhesive strips to reseal the phone. Some kits also include a heat gun or hair dryer recommendation to soften the adhesive holding the screen in place.
The process involves heating the edges of the screen to soften the glue, carefully prying it open, disconnecting the battery connector, removing the old battery, installing the new one, and reassembling the phone. The entire job typically takes one to three hours depending on your comfort level and the iPhone model. Newer iPhones with more complex internal layouts take longer than older models.
The main risks are damaging the screen during removal, tearing the battery connector cable, or breaking the water-resistance seal that keeps moisture out. If any of these happen, you may end up with a phone that works but has a cracked screen, a loose battery, or water damage down the line. Replacing the battery yourself also voids your Apple warranty, though you can still take the phone to Apple for other repairs later if you cause no additional damage.
Third-party repair shops
Independent phone repair shops in your area can replace your iPhone battery for $30 to $60, depending on the model and your location. Many shops can complete the work same-day or within a few hours. You can find shops by searching "iPhone battery replacement near me" or checking Google Maps reviews for repair shops in your area.
Quality varies significantly between shops. A reputable shop will use a quality replacement battery (either original Apple parts or high-grade third-party batteries), properly reseal the phone, and stand behind the work with a warranty on the battery itself—usually 30 to 90 days. Before you go, call ahead to confirm they have your iPhone model in stock and ask whether they use original or third-party batteries.
The trade-off is that third-party replacement voids your Apple warranty, just as DIY does. However, you avoid the risk of damaging your phone yourself, and you get the work done faster and cheaper than Apple. Read reviews carefully—a shop with consistently poor ratings on water damage or screen issues is a sign to look elsewhere.
How to check your battery health before replacing it
Before you spend money on a replacement, check whether your battery actually needs replacing. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. You will see a percentage labeled "Maximum Capacity," which tells you how much charge your battery can hold compared to when it was new.
Apple considers a battery degraded if its maximum capacity has dropped to 80 percent or below. If you are at 85 percent, the battery is still healthy and you may not notice a real difference in daily use. If you are at 70 percent or lower, you will likely notice the phone draining faster and shutting down unexpectedly at low battery levels, even if the percentage indicator says there is still charge left.
You will also see a section called "Charging Optimization" and possibly a message about "Peak Performance Capacity." If your phone is throttling performance to protect the battery, that is another sign replacement would help. A fresh battery restores both the charge capacity and the phone's speed.
Comparing cost, time, and risk
| Route | Cost | Time | Warranty Impact | Main Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Store or Mail-In | $69–$79 | 3–7 days | Warranty preserved | None (if done by Apple) |
| DIY Kit | $20–$40 | 1–3 hours | Warranty voided | Screen or connector damage |
| Third-Party Shop | $30–$60 | Same-day to 2 days | Warranty voided | Quality varies by shop |
What to do if your phone has other damage
If your screen is cracked, your phone has water damage, or there are other issues, you should address those before or at the same time as the battery replacement. Apple will not replace a battery in a phone with a cracked screen without fixing the screen first, which adds to the cost. A third-party shop may be willing to do both at once, which can save you time.
If your phone has water damage, be cautious about DIY battery replacement—opening the phone can let moisture deeper inside. A professional shop has tools to dry the phone properly and can assess whether water has damaged other components. If you proceed with a DIY replacement on a water-damaged phone, you risk making the damage worse.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an iPhone battery last before it needs replacing?
Apple designs iPhone batteries to retain 80 percent of their capacity after 500 full charge cycles. In real-world use, this typically means two to three years before you notice significant degradation. A charge cycle is a full drain from 100 to 0 percent, so if you charge your phone daily, you will reach 500 cycles in roughly 18 months.
Will replacing the battery fix my phone if it keeps shutting down?
If your phone shuts down at 20 or 30 percent battery, a new battery will almost certainly fix it. If it shuts down randomly at any battery level, the problem may be something else—a failing logic board, software issue, or other hardware problem. Check your battery health first; if it is above 80 percent, the shutdown is likely not a battery issue.
Can I use a non-Apple battery and still keep my warranty?
No. Using a non-Apple battery voids your warranty, whether you install it yourself or a third-party shop does. However, your phone remains repairable at Apple for other issues later, as long as you cause no additional damage. Apple will not cover battery-related problems after a third-party replacement.
Is it safe to use my phone while the battery is degraded?
Yes, a degraded battery is not a safety risk. It straightforward holds less charge and may cause your phone to shut down unexpectedly when the battery percentage drops. There is no danger of the battery catching fire or exploding just because it is old. However, the unexpected shutdowns can be inconvenient and may cause you to lose unsaved work.
What happens to my data if I replace the battery?
Your data stays on the phone. Battery replacement does not erase anything—the battery is a separate component that stores no information. Whether you use Apple, a third-party shop, or a DIY kit, your photos, messages, apps, and settings remain unchanged.