iPhone battery replacement costs between $69 and $99 at Apple, depending on your model

Apple's official price for an out-of-warranty iPhone battery replacement is $69 for iPhone 11 and older models, and $99 for iPhone 12 and newer. If your phone is still under the one-year limited warranty or you have AppleCare+, the replacement is free if the battery health has dropped below 80 percent. You can check your battery health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.

Third-party repair shops often charge less—typically $30 to $60—but quality and warranty coverage vary widely. Some shops use genuine Apple parts, while others use aftermarket batteries that may not last as long or perform as reliably. If you go this route, ask whether the shop uses original or third-party parts and what warranty they offer on the replacement.

Mail-in services like iFixit and uBreakiFix charge between $50 and $80 and ship your phone back within a few business days. These services are useful if you don't have an Apple Store nearby or prefer not to hand your phone to a local shop.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple charges $69 for iPhone 11 and older, $99 for iPhone 12 and newer, but the replacement is free if your phone is under warranty or you have AppleCare+.
  • You can see your battery's current health percentage in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging before deciding whether replacement is worth the cost.
  • Third-party shops typically charge $30 to $60 but may use aftermarket batteries instead of genuine Apple parts, so ask about parts and warranty before committing.
  • Mail-in repair services cost $50 to $80 and take several business days but work well if you have no local Apple Store or prefer not to visit in person.

When battery replacement actually makes sense

A battery replacement is worth the cost only if your phone is otherwise working well and you plan to keep it for at least another year or two. If your iPhone is more than four or five years old, the cost of a new battery may be close to the price of a used replacement phone, so compare before you decide.

If your battery health is above 85 percent, you probably don't need a replacement yet. Most iPhones run fine until battery health drops to 70 or 80 percent. Below 70 percent, you'll notice the phone shuts down unexpectedly when the battery drains, drains faster than it used to, or both.

How to get a replacement through Apple

Visit apple.com/support or open the Apple Support app on your iPhone and select Battery Service. You can book a Genius Bar appointment at your nearest Apple Store, or request mail-in service if no store is nearby. Apple will diagnose your battery for free before charging you anything.

Bring your phone and a photo ID to your appointment. If you choose mail-in service, Apple will email you a prepaid shipping label. The whole process usually takes five to seven business days from the time you ship your phone until it arrives back.

If you have AppleCare+, the replacement is free as long as the battery health is genuinely degraded (below 80 percent). Without AppleCare+, you pay the full out-of-warranty price.

Third-party repair shops: what to check first

Before you hand your phone to a third-party shop, ask three questions: Do they use genuine Apple batteries or aftermarket ones? What warranty do they offer on the replacement? And can they show you proof that your battery health is actually low?

Shops that use genuine Apple parts will usually say so upfront and may charge closer to Apple's price. Aftermarket batteries are cheaper but may not hold a charge as long or perform as consistently. Some shops offer a 30-day or 90-day warranty on the battery itself, while others offer none.

A reputable shop will run a diagnostic on your phone before quoting a price. If a shop tells you your battery is bad without checking, that's a sign to look elsewhere.

What happens if you ignore a degraded battery

A phone with very low battery health (below 50 percent) will shut down suddenly even when the battery percentage shows 20 or 30 percent remaining. This happens because the battery can no longer deliver the power the phone needs, so iOS forces a shutdown to protect the hardware.

Over time, a degraded battery can also cause the phone to run slower, because iOS throttles the processor to reduce power draw. Once you replace the battery, the phone usually feels faster again because throttling is no longer necessary.

Continuing to use a phone with a severely degraded battery won't damage the rest of the hardware, but it will make the phone unreliable and frustrating to use.

Comparing the total cost of replacement versus a new phone

A battery replacement costs $69 to $99 at Apple, or $30 to $60 at a third-party shop. A used iPhone of the same model typically costs $150 to $400 depending on age and condition. A new iPhone starts at $799.

If your phone is two to three years old and otherwise works well, a battery replacement is almost always cheaper than buying a replacement phone. If your phone is five or more years old, the math becomes less clear—a used phone of a newer model might cost only $100 to $200 more than a battery replacement, and you'd get newer features and longer software support.

Consider how long you plan to keep the phone. If you upgrade every two years anyway, a battery replacement may not be worth it. If you typically keep a phone for four or five years, replacement is usually the smarter choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my iPhone battery myself?

Apple does not sell batteries to consumers for self-installation, and opening your iPhone yourself will void any remaining warranty. If you're determined to try, you can buy third-party batteries online, but the process requires special tools and risks damaging the screen, water seals, or internal components. For most people, paying a shop to do it is safer and faster.

How long does a new iPhone battery last?

A new battery should retain 80 percent of its capacity after about 500 full charge cycles, which typically takes two to three years of normal use. After that, the battery will continue to degrade gradually. Most people notice a meaningful difference in battery life after three to four years of daily use.

Will replacing the battery improve my phone's speed?

If your phone has been running slowly because iOS was throttling the processor due to low battery health, yes—a new battery will often make it feel noticeably faster. You can check whether throttling is active in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. If it says "Peak Performance Capability: Reduced," a new battery should restore normal speed.

Is AppleCare+ worth buying just for battery replacement?

AppleCare+ costs $99 to $199 depending on your iPhone model and covers two years of accidental damage and hardware repairs, including free battery replacement if health drops below 80 percent. If you only care about battery replacement, it's not worth the upfront cost—you'd pay $99 to $199 to save $69 to $99 on one replacement. But if you want coverage for other damage, the battery benefit is a bonus.

Can I use my phone while it's being repaired?

If you use Apple's mail-in service, you won't have your phone for five to seven days. If you need your phone during that time, ask the Apple Store whether they have a loaner device available, or consider using a third-party shop that can often complete the repair the same day or within 24 hours.