You can replace your iPhone battery yourself, through Apple, or at a third-party repair shop
The fastest route is usually Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, which takes one to three business days and costs between $69 and $99 depending on your model. If you want to do it yourself, you will need a pentalobe screwdriver, a heat gun or hair dryer, and a replacement battery kit — the whole job takes 30 to 60 minutes if you have steady hands. Third-party repair shops often charge $40 to $80 and can finish the same day, though the battery quality and warranty coverage vary widely.
Your choice depends on whether you value speed, cost, or keeping your warranty intact. Apple's repair preserves your device warranty and uses genuine parts. DIY repair is cheapest but voids any remaining warranty and carries a small risk of damaging the screen or logic board if you slip. Third-party shops fall in the middle — faster and cheaper than Apple, but the shop's reputation matters more because battery quality is not standardized.
Key Takeaways
- Apple and Apple Authorized Service Providers charge $69 to $99 and take one to three business days, but preserve your warranty and use genuine batteries.
- DIY battery replacement costs $20 to $50 for a kit and takes 30 to 60 minutes, but voids your warranty if it is still active.
- Third-party repair shops typically charge $40 to $80 and finish the same day, though battery quality and warranty terms depend on the shop.
- Before you replace the battery, check your iPhone's health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging to confirm the battery is actually the problem.
- If your iPhone is still under warranty or AppleCare+, Apple repair is usually the safest choice because you keep coverage.
Check your battery health before you replace it
Open Settings, tap Battery, then tap Battery Health & Charging. Look at the Maximum Capacity number — if it is 80 percent or higher, your battery is probably fine and something else is draining power. If it is below 80 percent, the battery is degraded and replacement will improve performance. If it is below 50 percent, your phone may shut down unexpectedly even when the battery shows charge remaining.
Also check the Condition line. If it says "Service Recommended" or "Service Not Available", Apple's system has flagged the battery as defective and you should contact Apple directly. This status sometimes appears even if the capacity number looks acceptable, and it means the battery itself is faulty rather than straightforward old.
Apple and Apple Authorized Service Providers: the warranty-safe route
Call your nearest Apple Store or visit apple.com/repair to schedule a battery replacement. You can also go to an Apple Authorized Service Provider — these are independent shops certified by Apple and listed on Apple's website. Both use genuine Apple batteries and preserve your device warranty.
The cost is $69 for iPhone 15 and newer, $79 for iPhone 11 through 14, and $99 for iPhone X and older. If your device is under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, the replacement is free. Turnaround is usually one to three business days, though busy locations may take longer. You can drop off your phone or wait in the store depending on the location.
The main drawback is cost and time. If you need your phone the same day, Apple is rarely an option. If you are on a tight budget, the $69 to $99 fee may feel steep compared to third-party shops.
Third-party repair shops: faster and cheaper, with variable quality
Independent repair shops and chain retailers like Best Buy's Geek Squad, Walmart, and local phone repair stores typically charge $40 to $80 and can finish the same day. Many offer walk-in service and will replace your battery while you wait, usually in under an hour.
The catch is that battery quality and warranty terms vary. Some shops use genuine Apple batteries; others use aftermarket batteries that may not last as long or hold charge as well. Ask the shop directly what brand of battery they install and whether they warranty the replacement. A reputable shop will give you a written warranty of at least 30 to 90 days on the battery itself.
Third-party repair also voids any remaining Apple warranty on your device, though many shops offer their own limited warranty in exchange. If something goes wrong during the repair — a cracked screen, for example — the shop is responsible, not Apple. Choose a shop with good reviews on Google or Yelp and ask whether they have been in business for at least a year.
DIY battery replacement: cheapest, but requires care and tools
You can buy a battery replacement kit online for $20 to $50. The kit includes a new battery, a pentalobe screwdriver (the five-pointed tool Apple uses), adhesive strips, and usually a plastic pry tool and tweezers. Popular kits come from iFixit, Amazon Basics, and brand-specific sellers on Amazon.
The process is the same for most iPhones: power off the phone, remove the two pentalobe screws at the bottom, heat the edges with a hair dryer or heat gun to soften the adhesive, carefully pry up the screen, disconnect the battery connector, remove the old battery, install the new one, and reassemble. iFixit publishes free step-by-step guides with photos for every iPhone model on ifixit.com — search your model number and follow along.
The main risks are cracking the screen (the most common mistake), damaging the battery connector, or accidentally puncturing the new battery with a metal tool. If you have never opened a phone before, watch a video of someone doing it first. The job takes 30 to 60 minutes depending on how carefully you work.
DIY repair voids any remaining Apple warranty. It also means you cannot claim a defective battery under AppleCare+ if something goes wrong. If the battery fails within weeks, you have no recourse except to buy another kit and try again.
What to do if your iPhone is still under warranty
If your device is within one year of purchase or covered by AppleCare+, contact Apple first. Battery replacement is free under warranty if the battery capacity has dropped below 80 percent or if the Condition status says "Service Recommended". Apple will not charge you even if the battery degradation is from normal use.
Do not attempt DIY repair if your warranty is active — the moment you open the phone, the warranty is void. If you damage something during the repair, Apple will not cover it. The free battery replacement through Apple is worth the wait.
Comparing cost and time across all three routes
| Route | Cost | Time | Warranty Impact | Battery Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple or Apple Authorized Service Provider | $69–$99 (free if under warranty) | 1–3 business days | Warranty preserved | Genuine Apple battery |
| Third-party repair shop | $40–$80 | Same day, usually under 1 hour | Apple warranty voided; shop warranty varies | Varies; ask the shop |
| DIY with kit | $20–$50 | 30–60 minutes | Apple warranty voided | Depends on kit brand; usually adequate |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will replacing the battery fix my iPhone if it keeps shutting down?
Only if the Battery Health reading is below 50 percent or the Condition status says "Service Recommended". If the capacity is 80 percent or higher, the shutdowns are caused by something else — a failing logic board, a software bug, or a hardware issue unrelated to the battery. In that case, replacing the battery will not help, and you should contact Apple to diagnose the real problem.
Can I use a third-party battery and still keep my AppleCare+ coverage?
No. Any repair outside of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider voids your AppleCare+ coverage. If you use a third-party shop or DIY repair, you lose the right to claim a defective battery under AppleCare+. If the battery fails later, you will have to pay out of pocket or use the shop's warranty instead.
How long does a replacement battery last?
A genuine Apple battery typically lasts 2 to 3 years before capacity drops below 80 percent again, depending on how often you charge it. Aftermarket batteries from third-party shops may last 1 to 2 years. Battery lifespan is measured in charge cycles — each full charge from 0 to 100 percent counts as one cycle. Most batteries are rated for 500 to 1000 cycles before they degrade noticeably.
What should I do with my old battery after replacement?
Do not throw it in the trash — lithium batteries are hazardous waste and can catch fire in landfills. Apple and most third-party repair shops will recycle your old battery for free when they install the new one. If you did a DIY replacement, take the old battery to an electronics recycling center, Best Buy, or an Apple Store, all of which accept used batteries at no charge.
Is it safe to use my iPhone while the battery is being replaced?
No. Your phone must be powered off and stay off until the repair is complete. If you are using a third-party shop, ask them to power it off before they start. Do not try to use the phone or charge it until the technician confirms the replacement is finished and the phone powers on normally.