You can replace an iPhone battery yourself using a kit, or have Apple do it for about $69 to $99 depending on your model
The fastest route is Apple: walk into an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, hand over your phone, and pick it up the same day or within a few days. They charge a flat fee (usually $69 for older models, $99 for newer ones) and handle the whole job. No appointment is always required, but booking one online cuts your wait time.
If you want to do it yourself, you will need a battery replacement kit (about $20 to $40), a heat gun or hair dryer, and roughly 30 minutes to an hour. The process is the same across most iPhone models: heat the edges to soften the adhesive, pry open the screen, disconnect the battery connector, remove the old battery, and glue in the new one. The hardest part is not cracking the screen while you pry.
A third option is a third-party repair shop — often faster and cheaper than Apple, but quality varies widely. Ask whether they use genuine Apple batteries or aftermarket ones, because aftermarket batteries may not report their health status to iOS and sometimes trigger warning messages.
Key Takeaways
- Apple charges $69 to $99 to replace your battery and usually completes the job within a few days, with same-day service available at many locations.
- DIY replacement kits cost $20 to $40 and take 30 minutes to an hour, but require a heat gun and careful prying to avoid cracking the screen.
- Third-party repair shops are often faster and cheaper than Apple but may use aftermarket batteries that don't report health status to your phone.
- Your iPhone battery degrades over time and loses capacity; iOS shows your battery health percentage in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
- If your phone is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, battery replacement may be free or discounted depending on the damage.
When to replace your battery
Your iPhone battery degrades with every charge cycle. After about 500 full charge cycles (roughly one to two years of normal use), the battery holds less charge than it did new. iOS lets you check the exact health of your battery: go to Settings, tap Battery, then Battery Health & Charging. If the number is below 80 percent, your phone will drain faster than it used to.
You do not have to replace the battery the moment it hits 80 percent. Many people wait until it drops to 70 percent or lower, or until the phone shuts down unexpectedly during normal use. That unexpected shutdown — when your iPhone powers off even though the battery shows 20 or 30 percent — is a sign the battery can no longer deliver the power your phone needs, and replacement will fix it.
If your phone is still under the one-year limited warranty that comes with every iPhone, battery replacement is free if the battery has degraded due to a manufacturing defect (not normal wear). AppleCare+ extends this to two years and also covers accidental damage. Check your coverage in Settings > General > About, or ask Apple when you visit.
Replacing the battery at an Apple Store
Book an appointment online at apple.com or in the Apple Support app. Walk in without an appointment if you prefer, but you may wait 30 minutes to several hours depending on how busy the store is. Bring your phone and a form of ID.
Tell the Genius Bar staff that you want a battery replacement. They will run a diagnostic to confirm the battery is the problem, quote you the price (usually $69 to $99), and ask whether you want to proceed. If you say yes, they will take your phone to the back. Most stores complete the job the same day; some may keep it overnight.
Apple uses genuine batteries and replaces the adhesive seals that hold the screen on, so your phone will feel like new. The trade-off is cost and time — you are paying for convenience and a may provide that the work is done right.
Doing it yourself with a replacement kit
Order a battery replacement kit online from Amazon, iFixit, or other electronics retailers. The kit includes a new battery, adhesive strips, a plastic pry tool, and sometimes a heat gun or suction cup. Make sure the kit is designed for your specific iPhone model — battery sizes and connector types vary.
Heat the edges of your phone with a heat gun (on low) or a hair dryer for 30 to 60 seconds to soften the adhesive holding the screen. Use the plastic pry tool to gently lift one corner of the screen, then work your way around the edge. This is the step where most screens crack, so go slowly and do not force it.
Once the screen is open, you will see a connector at the top of the battery. Disconnect it by gently pulling the tab. Then peel away the old battery — it is glued down, so pull slowly and at a low angle to avoid tearing it. Stick the new battery in place using the adhesive strips that came in the kit, reconnect the battery connector, and press the screen back down. Let the adhesive cure for a few hours before using the phone heavily.
The whole process takes 30 minutes to an hour if you go slowly. Watch a video for your exact model before you start — the layout varies slightly between models, and seeing it done first makes the job much easier.
Using a third-party repair shop
Third-party repair shops — both local independent shops and chains like Best Buy's Geek Squad — often replace iPhone batteries for $40 to $70, which is cheaper than Apple. Many offer same-day service or a quick turnaround of a few hours.
The main risk is battery quality. Ask the shop whether they use genuine Apple batteries or aftermarket batteries. Aftermarket batteries are cheaper and work fine for basic use, but iOS cannot read their health status, so you will not see a battery health percentage in Settings. Some aftermarket batteries also trigger a "Unable to verify this iPhone has a genuine battery" warning message, which is harmless but annoying.
Check reviews on Google or Yelp before you go. Look for shops that mention using genuine batteries, have high ratings, and have been in business for at least a few years. Avoid shops that advertise extremely low prices — they are usually cutting corners on battery quality or warranty.
What happens after you replace the battery
After replacement, your battery health will show 100 percent in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. Your phone will hold a full charge again and should not shut down unexpectedly during normal use.
The new battery will degrade at the same rate as the old one — roughly 1 percent per month with normal use. You can slow that degradation by enabling Optimized Battery Charging in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. This feature learns your charging habits and avoids charging your phone to 100 percent every night, which wears the battery faster.
If you replaced the battery yourself, your phone is no longer water-resistant until you have the screen re-sealed by a professional. If you used Apple or a professional shop, the seal is already done.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Apple charge to replace an iPhone battery?
Apple charges $69 for iPhone 11 and older models, and $99 for iPhone 12 and newer. The price is the same whether you go to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. If your phone is under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, the replacement may be free or discounted.
Can I replace an iPhone battery myself without special tools?
You need at least a heat gun or hair dryer and a plastic pry tool, both of which come in replacement kits. You can technically use a credit card instead of a pry tool, but it is straightforward to slip and crack the screen. A kit costs $20 to $40 and is worth it for the proper tools.
Will replacing the battery void my warranty?
If Apple replaces it, your warranty is not affected. If you replace it yourself or use a third-party shop, you may lose coverage for water damage or other issues that arise later, because opening the phone breaks the seal. AppleCare+ covers battery replacement, but not damage caused by unauthorized repairs.
How long does a battery replacement take at Apple?
Most Apple Stores complete battery replacements the same day, usually within a few hours. Some locations may keep your phone overnight if they are very busy. Third-party shops often finish in one to two hours.
What is the difference between a genuine Apple battery and an aftermarket battery?
Genuine Apple batteries report their health status to iOS, so you can see the percentage in Settings. Aftermarket batteries work fine but iOS cannot read their health, and some trigger a warning message. Both types last about the same length of time with normal use.