You will need Apple tools or a professional to remove most iPhone batteries

Apple glues iPhone batteries to the case starting with the iPhone XS, so you cannot pry one out with a screwdriver the way you could with older phones. Removing the battery yourself requires either a heat gun and specialized pry tools (which risk damaging the phone), or a trip to Apple or an authorized repair shop. If your battery no longer holds a charge or swells visibly, a repair shop is the safer route — a swollen battery can catch fire if punctured.

Apple's own battery replacement service costs between $50 and $80 depending on your model, takes three to five business days at most locations, and comes with a 90-day warranty on the replacement. Third-party repair shops often charge $30 to $60 and can sometimes finish the work the same day. If you own an iPhone 15 or later, Apple offers a mail-in battery replacement service that ships you a prepaid box.

Key Takeaways

  • Modern iPhones have batteries glued in place, so removal requires heat, specialized tools, or professional help — not a standard screwdriver.
  • Apple charges $50 to $80 for battery replacement and guarantees the work for 90 days.
  • A swollen or visibly damaged battery should go to a professional because puncturing it can cause a fire.
  • Third-party repair shops often cost less and work faster, but verify they use quality replacement batteries before you hand over your phone.
  • If you attempt removal yourself, a heat gun, suction cup, and plastic pry tools are the minimum — metal tools will short the logic board.

What happens when you try to remove an iPhone battery yourself

The adhesive holding the battery down is strong enough that you need sustained heat — usually 80 to 100 degrees Celsius — to soften it. A heat gun or hair dryer on high can work, but uneven heating cracks the screen or warps the frame. Once the adhesive loosens, you pull with a plastic pry tool or suction cup, which takes patience and steady pressure to avoid tearing the battery itself.

If you tear the battery casing, the lithium-ion cells inside can short and ignite. Even if you succeed without tearing it, you have disconnected the battery connector from the logic board, and reconnecting it wrong will prevent the phone from charging. You also lose any water resistance the original adhesive provided — the replacement adhesive from a kit is rarely as effective.

The tools themselves are cheap (a kit runs $15 to $25), but the risk is high: a cracked screen costs $200 to $400 to replace, and a damaged logic board makes the phone unusable. Most people who attempt this end up paying more for repairs than a professional battery replacement would have cost.

How Apple removes and replaces your battery

Apple technicians use a machine that heats the phone evenly and removes the battery without opening the case fully. They disconnect the battery connector, remove the old battery, install a new one, reconnect it, and run diagnostics to confirm the phone charges and holds power correctly. The whole process takes 30 to 60 minutes, though you usually leave the phone for a few hours because the store batches repairs.

Apple uses only genuine Apple batteries, which match the original in capacity and performance. If your phone is still under warranty or covered by AppleCare+, the replacement may be free or cost only $10 to $20. Out of warranty, the cost is flat: $69 for most models, $79 for iPhone 15 Pro Max, and $49 for iPhone SE.

Third-party repair shops and what to watch for

Independent repair shops and chains like iFixit, uBreakiFix, and local phone repair stores can replace your battery for $30 to $60 in most cases. Many offer same-day service if you drop the phone off in the morning. The trade-off is that not all shops use genuine Apple batteries — some use aftermarket batteries that hold less charge or degrade faster.

Before you hand over your phone, ask whether the shop uses original Apple batteries or third-party replacements. A shop that volunteers this information upfront is usually trustworthy. Also ask about the warranty on the replacement battery — reputable shops offer at least 30 days, and many offer 90 days to match Apple's standard.

Check reviews on Google Maps or Yelp for that specific location, not just the chain. A franchise location in one city may have different quality standards than another. If the shop has more than a handful of one-star reviews mentioning battery problems or water damage after repair, go elsewhere.

Mail-in battery replacement from Apple

If you own an iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, or 15 Pro Max, you can order a battery replacement kit from Apple's website and mail your phone in. Apple sends you a prepaid shipping box, you pack the phone, and they replace the battery and mail it back. The whole process takes about a week, and the cost is the same as in-store replacement.

This option works well if you have no Apple Store nearby or cannot spare your phone for a few hours. The downside is that you are without your phone for five to seven days, so it is not ideal if you rely on it for work or emergencies. You also cannot choose to have the work done the same day.

Signs your battery needs replacement

If your iPhone shuts down at 20 or 30 percent battery, drains from full to dead in a few hours of light use, or takes longer than two hours to charge from zero, the battery is likely worn out. You can check the battery's health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging — if Maximum Capacity is below 80 percent, replacement will noticeably improve performance.

A battery that swells visibly (the back of the phone bulges or the screen lifts away from the frame) should be replaced when ready. Do not use the phone while it is swollen because the pressure can rupture the casing and expose the lithium cells. Take it to a repair shop the same day if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my iPhone battery myself without damaging it?

It is possible but risky. You need a heat gun, plastic pry tools, and a replacement battery kit. Even with the right tools, uneven heating can crack the screen, and a slip with the pry tool can tear the battery and cause a fire. Most people who try end up paying more for repairs than a professional replacement would have cost.

How long does a professional battery replacement take?

At Apple, it usually takes 30 to 60 minutes of actual work, but you typically leave the phone for a few hours because the store batches repairs. Third-party shops often finish in one to two hours if you wait. Mail-in replacement from Apple takes five to seven days total.

Will replacing the battery void my warranty?

No. Battery replacement does not void your warranty on the rest of the phone. If you go to Apple or an authorized repair shop, the replacement battery itself comes with a 90-day warranty. Third-party shops vary, so ask before you leave your phone.

What is the difference between an original Apple battery and an aftermarket one?

Original Apple batteries are tested to match the capacity and performance of the battery your phone shipped with. Aftermarket batteries vary widely — some are nearly identical, while others hold less charge or degrade faster. Reputable repair shops use quality aftermarket batteries and stand behind them with a warranty.

Is it safe to use my iPhone while the battery is swollen?

No. A swollen battery is under pressure and can rupture if you drop the phone or explore pressure to it. If the casing ruptures, the lithium cells inside can catch fire. Stop using the phone when ready and take it to a repair shop the same day.