You can replace your iPhone battery yourself using a kit, or have Apple or a certified repair shop do it for you

An iPhone battery degrades over time and eventually holds less charge. When your battery health drops below 80 percent, or when your phone shuts down unexpectedly, replacement becomes necessary. You have three main routes: buy a battery replacement kit and do the work yourself, take your phone to an Apple Store, or visit an authorized repair provider. Each route differs in cost, time, and risk to your phone.

The DIY route costs $20 to $50 for a battery kit but requires patience and care—one slip with a tool can damage the screen or logic board. Apple charges $69 to $99 depending on your model and whether your phone is under warranty, takes one to three hours in-store, and includes a may provide on the work. Authorized repair shops typically charge $50 to $80 and offer a middle ground between speed and cost.

Key Takeaways

  • DIY battery replacement kits cost $20 to $50 but require you to open your phone and risk damaging the screen or internal components if you slip.
  • Apple charges $69 to $99 for battery replacement and completes the work in one to three hours at an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.
  • You can check your battery health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging to see the current capacity percentage before deciding to replace it.
  • The DIY process takes two to four hours for a first-timer and involves removing the screen, disconnecting cables, and ungluing the old battery before installing the new one.
  • Authorized third-party repair shops often charge less than Apple and may offer same-day service, but verify they use genuine or high-quality replacement batteries.

Check your battery health before you start

Open Settings on your iPhone, then go to Battery, then Battery Health & Charging. You will see a percentage labeled "Maximum Capacity." This number tells you how much charge your battery holds compared to when it was new. At 80 percent or below, the battery is aging and replacement becomes worthwhile. You will also see a "Condition" line that may say "Normal" or "Service Recommended"—if it says "Service Recommended," Apple considers the battery degraded enough to warrant replacement.

Write down your phone model (found in Settings > General > About) and the current capacity percentage. You will need the model number when ordering a replacement battery kit or scheduling an appointment. If your phone is still under the one-year limited warranty and the battery capacity is below 80 percent, Apple will replace it at no cost.

The DIY route: what you need and how long it takes

A complete DIY battery kit includes the replacement battery, a pentalobe screwdriver (the five-pointed tool Apple uses), a spudger or plastic pry tool, tweezers, and adhesive strips to reseal the phone. Kits cost $20 to $50 on Amazon, iFixit, or other electronics retailers. Buy a kit that matches your exact iPhone model—a battery for an iPhone 13 will not fit an iPhone 14.

The process takes two to four hours for someone doing it for the first time. You will remove the two pentalobe screws at the bottom of the phone, heat the edges with a hair dryer to soften the adhesive holding the screen, carefully pry the screen away from the body, disconnect two or three ribbon cables, remove the battery connector screw, peel away the adhesive strips holding the battery, and slide the old battery out. Then you reverse the steps with the new battery, new adhesive strips, and reconnected cables.

The biggest risks are cracking the screen during removal (which happens if you pry too hard or too fast), tearing a ribbon cable (which disables the Face ID or home button), or not seating the battery connector properly (which causes the phone not to charge). If any of these happen, the repair cost jumps to $200 or more. Many people who attempt this successfully report it was slower and more stressful than expected, even with video guides.

Taking your phone to Apple or an authorized repair shop

An Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider can replace your battery in one to three hours. You can book an appointment online through apple.com or the Apple Support app, or walk in and ask about availability. Bring your phone and a form of ID. The cost is $69 for iPhone 11 and older models, $79 for iPhone 12 and 13, and $99 for iPhone 14 and newer. If your phone is within one year of purchase and the battery capacity is below 80 percent, the replacement is covered under warranty at no cost.

Authorized repair shops—often local electronics stores or phone repair chains—typically charge $50 to $80 and may offer same-day service without an appointment. Before you go, call ahead and confirm they have the battery in stock and ask whether they use genuine Apple batteries or third-party replacements. Genuine batteries carry Apple's warranty; third-party batteries are cheaper but may not last as long or hold charge as reliably.

What to do before you hand over your phone

Back up your data to iCloud or a computer using Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows). Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap "Back Up Now," or connect your phone to a computer and use Finder or iTunes. This takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on how much data you have. If something goes wrong during the repair, you will have a copy of your photos, messages, and settings.

Write down your Apple ID password and keep it handy. Some repair shops may need to verify your identity or disable Find My iPhone before opening the phone. You do not need to erase your phone before taking it in—the repair shop will not touch your data.

After the battery is replaced

Once the new battery is installed, your phone should charge normally and hold a full charge for a full day of typical use. The Battery Health & Charging screen will now show 100 percent maximum capacity (or very close to it). If you had the work done at Apple or an authorized shop, ask for a receipt—it documents the replacement and is useful if you ever need to reference the warranty on the new battery.

If you did the replacement yourself, your phone may take a few charge cycles to recalibrate. Charge it to 100 percent, then let it drain all the way to zero, then charge it to 100 percent again. This helps the battery management system learn the new battery's characteristics. After two or three cycles, the battery performance should stabilize.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common DIY mistake is prying the screen too hard or too fast. The adhesive holding the screen is strong, and impatience leads to cracks. Heat the edges with a hair dryer for at least two minutes before you start prying, and use slow, steady pressure rather than sudden force. If the screen does not budge after 30 seconds of gentle prying, heat it more.

Another frequent error is disconnecting the battery connector before removing the adhesive strips. The battery connector is a small plug that sits on top of the battery—disconnect it first to cut power to the phone, then remove the adhesive. If you try to peel the battery out while the connector is still plugged in, you risk damaging the connector or the logic board.

A third mistake is reassembling the phone without checking that all cables are seated properly. Before you close the screen, power on the phone and test the screen, speakers, and camera. If anything does not work, open it back up and reseat the cables before closing it again. Discovering a problem after the screen is glued shut means opening it again and wasting more time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my battery needs to be replaced?

Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. If the maximum capacity is 80 percent or lower, or if the condition says "Service Recommended," the battery is degraded. You may also notice your phone shuts down unexpectedly at 20 or 30 percent charge, which is a sign the battery cannot deliver power reliably anymore.

Will replacing the battery erase my data?

No. A battery replacement does not touch your data. However, back up your phone before you hand it over, just in case something unexpected happens during the repair. If you do the work yourself, back up first so you have a copy if something goes wrong.

How long does a new iPhone battery last?

A new battery is designed to retain 80 percent of its capacity after 500 full charge cycles. In real use, that typically means two to three years before the capacity drops below 80 percent again. Factors like heat, fast charging, and how often you fully drain the battery affect how quickly it degrades.

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

Yes, but it requires patience and a steady hand. Watch a full video guide for your exact model first—iFixit and YouTube have detailed walkthroughs. If you are uncomfortable with small tools or working inside electronics, paying Apple or a repair shop is worth the extra cost to avoid the risk of damaging your phone.

What is the difference between a genuine Apple battery and a third-party battery?

Genuine Apple batteries are made by Apple and carry Apple's warranty. Third-party batteries are made by other manufacturers and are usually cheaper, but may not hold charge as long or as reliably. If you use a third-party battery, check the seller's warranty—reputable sellers offer at least a one-year may provide.