Yes, you can replace an iPhone battery, but where you do it matters

You can replace an iPhone battery yourself using a kit, take it to Apple, or visit an independent repair shop. Apple's official route is the most straightforward: they'll back up your phone, swap the battery, and return it to you in working order. Independent shops are often faster and cheaper. DIY replacement is possible but requires tools, patience, and carries real risk of damaging the phone if something goes wrong.

The choice depends on your comfort level, how much you want to spend, and how quickly you need it done. A damaged battery can swell and become a fire hazard, so the longer you wait, the more risk you're taking.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple charges between $69 and $99 for a battery replacement depending on your iPhone model, and the work usually takes three to five business days.
  • Independent repair shops typically charge $40 to $80 and can often complete the work same-day or next-day.
  • DIY battery replacement requires a pentalobe screwdriver, spudger, and adhesive strips, and one mistake can crack the screen or damage internal components.
  • If your iPhone is still under warranty or AppleCare+, battery replacement may be covered at no cost if the battery has degraded below 80 percent capacity.
  • A swollen battery is a safety issue and should not be left in the phone—take it somewhere for replacement within a few days.

Apple's official battery replacement service

Apple replaces batteries at any Apple Store or through Apple's mail-in repair service. You can schedule an appointment online or call your nearest store. Bring your phone and a form of ID; Apple will run a diagnostic to confirm the battery is the problem, then quote you a price and timeline.

The cost is $69 for most iPhones, $79 for iPhone 14 Pro models, and $99 for iPhone 15 Pro models. If your phone is under warranty or you have AppleCare+, the replacement is free if the battery has degraded to below 80 percent of its original capacity. Apple will back up your data before the swap, though you should do your own backup first just in case.

Turnaround is usually three to five business days at a store, or five to seven days if you mail it in. If your phone needs other repairs discovered during the battery swap, Apple will contact you before proceeding, and the total cost will go up.

Independent repair shops and their trade-offs

Local phone repair shops can often replace a battery for $40 to $80 and complete the work the same day or next day. Many will do it while you wait. The main advantage is speed and cost; the main disadvantage is that not all shops are equally careful, and you lose any remaining manufacturer warranty on the phone.

Before you choose a shop, check online reviews and ask whether they use OEM (original equipment manufacturer) batteries or third-party batteries. OEM batteries are made by Apple or to Apple's specs and last longer. Third-party batteries are cheaper but may not hold a charge as long. Ask what warranty the shop offers on the battery itself—most reputable shops may provide their work for 30 to 90 days.

If the shop damages your phone during the swap, you have no recourse beyond their own warranty. Apple will refuse to service a phone that's been opened by someone else, though they may still repair it if the damage is unrelated to the battery work.

DIY battery replacement: what you need and what can go wrong

You can buy an iPhone battery kit online for $20 to $40. The kit includes the battery, a pentalobe screwdriver (to open the case), a spudger (a plastic pry tool), adhesive strips to reseal the phone, and sometimes a suction cup. Replacement takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your iPhone model and your experience.

The main risks are cracking the screen while prying open the case, damaging the display connector or battery connector inside, or reassembling the phone in a way that leaves it water-resistant. If you crack the screen, you've now got two repairs to pay for. If you damage an internal connector, the phone may not turn on or may have a black screen even though the battery is fine.

DIY replacement makes sense only if you've done phone repairs before, have steady hands, and are willing to accept that the phone might not work afterward. If your phone is still under warranty, opening it yourself will void that warranty. If you're not confident, the $30 to $50 you save is not worth the risk of a $300+ phone becoming unusable.

How to check your battery health before you decide

On any iPhone running iOS 16 or later, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. You'll see a number labeled "Maximum Capacity"—this is the percentage of the battery's original charge it can still hold. A new phone shows 100 percent. At 80 percent, the battery is considered degraded. At 50 percent or lower, the phone will shut down unexpectedly under load.

If you're at 80 percent or above and the phone is draining quickly, the problem may not be the battery itself—it could be a background app or a setting. If you're below 80 percent, a replacement will noticeably improve how long the phone lasts between charges.

This same screen shows whether the battery is in "Peak Performance Capacity" or whether the phone is throttling performance to protect the battery. If it says your phone is throttling, a new battery will restore full speed.

What to do if your battery is swollen

A swollen battery is a safety issue. It can catch fire or explode if punctured or exposed to heat. If your phone feels puffy, the back is separating from the frame, or the screen is bowing outward, the battery has swollen and needs replacement within a few days.

Do not attempt DIY replacement on a swollen battery—the risk of puncturing it is too high. Take it to Apple or a repair shop when ready. If the phone is too swollen to power off safely, leave it powered off and do not charge it. Do not leave it in a hot car or in direct sunlight while you arrange the replacement.

Apple will replace a swollen battery even if it's out of warranty, though they may charge the standard battery replacement fee. Some shops will replace it at no extra cost if you explain the safety issue, though this varies by location.

Warranty and AppleCare+ coverage for battery replacement

If your iPhone is within one year of purchase and the battery has degraded due to a manufacturing defect (not normal wear), Apple will replace it free under the standard limited warranty. In practice, this is rare—most battery degradation is normal wear over time.

If you have AppleCare+, battery replacement is free as long as the battery has degraded to below 80 percent capacity. You pay the standard service fee ($0 for battery-only issues under AppleCare+), and Apple handles the rest. AppleCare+ costs $3 to $4 per month depending on the iPhone model and is usually worth it if you keep your phone for more than two years.

If you don't have AppleCare+ and your phone is out of warranty, you pay the full replacement cost. There's no discount for out-of-warranty battery replacement—Apple charges the same $69 to $99 whether your phone is one year old or five years old.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an iPhone battery last before it needs replacement?

Most iPhone batteries degrade to 80 percent capacity after 500 to 1,000 full charge cycles, which is roughly two to three years of normal use. Some people see degradation sooner if they charge the phone multiple times a day or leave it plugged in overnight regularly. You can check your battery's current health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.

Will replacing the battery make my iPhone feel like new?

A new battery will restore the phone's runtime between charges and remove any performance throttling Apple applied to protect the old battery. It won't speed up the processor or improve the camera. If the phone feels slow for other reasons, a battery replacement alone won't fix that.

Can I replace the battery myself if I've never done it before?

It's possible, but risky. The main danger is cracking the screen while opening the case or damaging internal connectors. If you're not comfortable with small, precise work, the cost of a professional replacement is worth avoiding a $300+ mistake. Watch a video for your specific iPhone model first to see if it looks doable to you.

What's the difference between an OEM battery and a third-party battery?

OEM batteries are made by Apple or to Apple's exact specifications and typically last longer and hold their capacity better. Third-party batteries are cheaper but may degrade faster and sometimes don't report accurate health information to iOS. Most repair shops use OEM batteries, but always ask before you commit.

If I replace the battery at an independent shop, will Apple still repair my phone?

Apple will still repair your phone, but they may charge more for the repair if they have to work around the previous battery replacement. Your phone's warranty is void after a third-party repair, but Apple can still service it under their standard out-of-warranty rates. If the damage is unrelated to the battery work, Apple usually won't charge extra.