You can replace an iPhone battery yourself using a kit, or have Apple do it at an Apple Store or authorized repair shop

The fastest route is Apple: walk into an Apple Store with your iPhone, and they can replace the battery the same day in most cases, though you may need an appointment. If you want to do it yourself, you'll need a battery replacement kit (around $20 to $40), about an hour of time, and patience with small parts. A third option is an authorized Apple repair partner—search "Apple authorized service provider" plus your city to find one near you. Each route has trade-offs in cost, time, and risk to your phone.

Before you choose a route, check your battery health. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging and look at the "Maximum Capacity" percentage. If it's below 80%, your battery is degraded and replacement will noticeably improve performance. If it's above 80%, your battery may still have life left, though you can replace it whenever you want.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple charges $69 to $99 for a battery replacement depending on your iPhone model, and most stores can do it same-day with an appointment.
  • DIY battery kits cost $20 to $40 but require opening your phone, which voids your warranty and risks damaging the screen or logic board if you slip.
  • You need a pentalobe screwdriver (the five-pointed star shape), a plastic spudger, and tweezers—most kits include these, but don't use a metal screwdriver or knife.
  • Before you start, back up your phone to iCloud or a computer, and power it completely off rather than just locking it.
  • The battery is glued down with adhesive strips, not screwed, so you'll need to pull slowly and evenly or the battery will tear and become unusable.

Going to Apple or an Authorized Repair Shop

An Apple Store battery replacement costs $69 for iPhone 14 and newer, $79 for iPhone 13 and older, and $99 for iPhone XS and earlier—prices vary slightly by model. You can book an appointment online through apple.com or the Apple Support app, or walk in and ask if they have same-day availability. Bring your phone and a form of ID. The repair usually takes 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on how busy the store is.

Authorized Apple repair partners (not third-party repair shops) charge the same price and follow the same process. You can find one by going to apple.com/repair, entering your zip code, and filtering for "Authorized Service Provider." These shops are certified by Apple and use genuine parts, so your warranty stays intact. If your phone is still under AppleCare+ coverage, the battery replacement is free. Call ahead to confirm they have your battery in stock and to ask about wait times.

Doing a DIY Battery Replacement

A DIY replacement takes 45 minutes to an hour if you've never done it before. You'll need a pentalobe screwdriver (size P2 for most iPhones), a plastic spudger, tweezers, and a suction cup—all included in most battery kits sold on Amazon or eBay for $20 to $40. Do not use a metal screwdriver, butter knife, or flathead screwdriver; these will slip and scratch the logic board or crack the screen. Buy the correct tools before you start, because using the wrong ones will damage your phone.

Start by powering off your phone completely. Use the volume and power buttons together to bring up the shutdown screen, then slide to power off. Wait 30 seconds before opening the phone. Then use the suction cup to pull the screen away from the body by about a quarter inch—you're not trying to remove it fully yet, just create a gap. Slide the plastic spudger into the gap and work your way around the edges, gently separating the adhesive that holds the screen to the frame. This step takes the most time and is where most people accidentally crack the screen, so go slowly and be patient.

Once the screen is loose, you can lift it open like a book, hinging it on the top edge. You'll see the battery, which is a rectangular black or gray rectangle with a pull-tab attached. The battery is stuck down with adhesive strips underneath. Grab the pull-tab and pull slowly and evenly at a 45-degree angle—if you jerk it or pull straight up, the battery will tear and you won't be able to use it. If the tab breaks, you can use tweezers to peel the battery out, but this is harder and takes longer. Take your time on this step; it should take 30 seconds to a minute.

Once the old battery is out, clean the adhesive residue off the frame with a plastic spudger or your fingernail. Peel the backing off the adhesive strips on the new battery and press it into place, making sure it sits flat and centered. Reconnect the screen by pressing it down firmly around all edges, starting at the top and working down the sides. Power on your phone and check that the battery percentage shows correctly in the status bar.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is using the wrong screwdriver. A pentalobe screwdriver looks like a five-pointed star and is different from a Phillips head (which has an X shape). If you use a Phillips head or a flathead, the screw will strip and you won't be able to remove it. Buy the correct screwdriver before you start, and test it on a screw to make sure it fits snugly without wobbling.

The second mistake is pulling the battery tab too fast or at the wrong angle. The adhesive strips are designed to peel away slowly; if you yank the tab, it will snap and the battery will stay glued to the frame. Pull at a 45-degree angle and take your time—this step should take 30 seconds to a minute, not 2 seconds. If you feel resistance, stop and try a slightly different angle rather than forcing it.

The third mistake is not backing up your phone first. If something goes wrong during the repair, you could lose your data. Back up to iCloud by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, or to a computer using Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows) before you open the phone. This takes 10 to 15 minutes and is worth the peace of mind.

What to Do If Something Goes Wrong

If you crack the screen during the repair, you'll need to replace it as well. A screen replacement costs $129 to $329 depending on your model, so the total cost becomes higher than going to Apple in the first place. If you tear the battery, it cannot be used and you'll need to order a new one, which adds another $20 to $40 and another week of waiting.

If you accidentally damage the logic board (the main circuit board inside the phone), the phone may not turn on or may show a black screen. This is not repairable at home and will require professional service, which costs $300 to $500 or more. This is why going to Apple is the safer choice if you're not confident in your ability to work with small parts and tight spaces.

If the battery replacement is complete but your phone won't turn on, try plugging it into a charger for 15 minutes—sometimes the battery needs to charge before the phone will boot. If it still won't turn on after 30 minutes of charging, the battery may be defective or you may have accidentally disconnected a cable inside the phone. At that point, take it to Apple or an authorized repair shop and explain what happened; they can diagnose the problem and fix it.

How to Know If Your Battery Needs Replacement

Your battery may need replacement if your phone shuts down at 20% or higher battery percentage, drains from 100% to 0% in a few hours of normal use, or takes longer than 3 hours to charge from empty. You can also check the battery health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. If the "Maximum Capacity" is below 80%, Apple considers the battery degraded and recommends replacement.

Battery degradation is normal—lithium batteries lose capacity over time, especially after 500 full charge cycles (roughly one year of daily use). If your phone is still under warranty or AppleCare+, the replacement is free. If not, the $69 to $99 cost at Apple is usually worth it for the may provide that the job is done correctly and your warranty stays intact. A DIY replacement saves money upfront but costs you the warranty protection and the risk of damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace the battery on an iPhone 6s or older?

Yes, but it's harder because the screen is glued more firmly and the internal layout is different. The process is the same—remove the screen, pull the battery tab, install the new battery—but older iPhones take longer and have a higher risk of screen damage. Apple still replaces batteries on older models, so that's the safer choice if your phone is still in use.

Will replacing the battery myself void my warranty?

Yes. Opening your phone voids the manufacturer's warranty. If something else breaks during the repair or shortly after, Apple will not cover it under warranty. If you have AppleCare+, accidental damage coverage may still explore, but battery replacement itself is not covered if you did it yourself.

How long does a new battery last?

A new battery will retain about 80% of its capacity after roughly 500 full charge cycles, which is about one year of daily use. After that, it will continue to degrade slowly. Most people replace their battery every 2 to 3 years depending on how much they use their phone and how they charge it.

Can I use a third-party battery instead of an Apple battery?

Third-party batteries are cheaper ($15 to $25) but may not last as long or charge as reliably as Apple batteries. They also won't show accurate battery health information in Settings. If you're doing a DIY replacement, buy a battery kit from a reputable seller with good reviews and a return policy in case the battery is defective.

What if my phone is still under warranty?

If your phone is within one year of purchase, the battery replacement is free at Apple. If you have AppleCare+, battery replacement is free for the duration of the plan. Check your coverage by going to Settings > General > About and looking for the AppleCare+ expiration date, or by visiting apple.com/support and signing in with your Apple ID.