You have three ways to replace an iPhone battery
Apple will replace your battery at an Apple Store or through mail-in service. An authorized Apple repair partner (usually a carrier store or independent shop certified by Apple) can do the same work. Or you can buy a battery kit and replace it yourself if you have the right tools and comfort with small electronics. Each route has different costs, timelines, and risks — the right choice depends on your phone model, how much you want to spend, and whether you want a warranty on the work.
Your iPhone's battery degrades over time. When it no longer holds a charge through a full day, or when your phone shuts down at 20 percent battery, replacement becomes practical. Apple considers a battery "worn" when it holds less than 80 percent of its original capacity — you can check this in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
Key Takeaways
- Apple's official battery replacement costs between $69 and $99 depending on your iPhone model, takes three to five business days by mail, or same-day at some stores.
- Authorized repair partners charge similar prices and timelines but availability varies by location — call ahead to confirm they have your model in stock.
- Self-replacement kits cost $20 to $40 but require a pentalobe screwdriver, spudger, and steady hands; opening your phone voids any remaining warranty.
- If your iPhone is still under AppleCare+, battery replacement is covered at no cost as long as the battery health has dropped below 80 percent.
- Mail-in service through Apple means your phone is without you for a week or more; in-store replacement usually takes a few hours.
Apple Store and mail-in battery replacement
Apple replaces batteries at any Apple Store and also through a mail-in program if no store is near you. The cost is $69 for iPhone 15, $79 for iPhone 14 and earlier models, and $99 for iPhone 16 Pro models — prices vary slightly by region. If you have AppleCare+, battery replacement is free as long as your battery health is below 80 percent.
At an Apple Store, you make an appointment through the Apple Support app or by calling the store directly. Bring your iPhone and a form of ID. The replacement usually takes two to four hours, though some stores can do it same-day if they have stock. You'll get a new battery and your phone back with a 90-day warranty on the repair work.
For mail-in service, you start a repair request on Apple's website or in the Support app, print a shipping label, and send your iPhone to Apple. The whole process takes seven to ten business days — three to five days for the repair itself, plus shipping both ways. You'll receive your phone back with the same 90-day warranty. Apple will back up your data before the repair, but you should back up yourself first.
Authorized Apple repair partners
Carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile run repair counters that are certified by Apple. Best Buy's Geek Squad is also an authorized partner. These shops charge the same prices as Apple ($69 to $99) and offer the same warranty, but availability and speed vary widely. Some locations have batteries in stock and can replace yours in an hour; others order the battery and take a week.
Call the location nearest you before you visit. Ask whether they stock batteries for your specific iPhone model, how long the replacement takes, and whether you need an appointment. Some authorized partners are busier than Apple Stores and may have longer wait times, especially around holidays.
The advantage is convenience — you may have a carrier store or Best Buy closer than an Apple Store. The disadvantage is less predictable service. If the shop damages your phone during the repair, you have the same 90-day warranty, but the process for claiming it may be slower than at Apple.
Self-replacement with a battery kit
You can buy a replacement battery kit online for $20 to $40. These kits include the battery, a pentalobe screwdriver (the five-pointed tool Apple uses), a spudger (a plastic pry tool), and adhesive strips to reseal the phone. Popular sellers include iFixit, Amazon, and eBay — make sure the kit is listed for your exact iPhone model.
The process is the same for all recent iPhones: power off the phone, remove the two pentalobe screws at the bottom, heat the edges with a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the adhesive, pry open the screen, disconnect the battery connector, remove the old battery, install the new one, and reassemble. iFixit publishes free step-by-step guides with photos for every iPhone model on their website.
Self-replacement voids any remaining manufacturer warranty on your phone. If something goes wrong during the repair — you crack the screen, damage the display connector, or short a circuit — Apple will not cover it. You also lose any remaining AppleCare+ coverage. Only attempt this if you are comfortable working with small electronics and have a clean, well-lit workspace. If you make a mistake, the cost to fix it at Apple can exceed $300.
What to expect during the replacement process
Whether you go to Apple, an authorized partner, or do it yourself, the replacement takes between one and ten days depending on your route. At a store, the technician will power off your phone, remove the screen, disconnect the old battery, install the new one, and test it before reassembling. The whole job takes two to four hours in-store.
For mail-in service, Apple will contact you by email when your phone arrives, again when the repair is complete, and a third time when it ships back. You can track the shipment. If Apple finds a problem during the repair — for example, water damage or a cracked display — they will contact you before proceeding and may quote you a separate repair cost.
After replacement, your battery will show 100 percent health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. It will degrade again over time — most iPhone batteries lose 10 to 20 percent capacity per year under normal use. You can extend battery life by keeping your phone cool, avoiding extreme heat, and enabling Optimized Battery Charging in Settings, which slows charging to 80 percent overnight.
Cost comparison: store, authorized partner, and self-replacement
| Route | Cost | Timeline | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Store | $69–$99 (free with AppleCare+) | 2–4 hours same-day or next day | 90 days on repair |
| Mail-in (Apple) | $69–$99 (free with AppleCare+) | 7–10 business days | 90 days on repair |
| Authorized partner | $69–$99 | 1 hour to 1 week (varies) | 90 days on repair |
| Self-replacement kit | $20–$40 | 30 minutes to 2 hours | None; voids warranty |
When to replace your battery versus buying a new phone
If your iPhone is more than three years old and the battery is worn, you may be weighing whether to replace the battery or buy a new phone. A battery replacement costs $69 to $99 and extends your phone's life by two to three years. A new iPhone costs $800 and up. If your phone is otherwise working well — the screen is not cracked, the camera works, and it runs the latest iOS — a battery replacement is almost always the cheaper choice.
However, if your phone has other damage (a cracked screen, water damage, or a failing camera), or if it is so old that it no longer receives iOS updates, replacement may make more sense. Check Apple's support page for your model to see how many more years of updates it will receive. An iPhone that is no longer supported will eventually become slow and incompatible with new apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my iPhone battery needs replacement?
Open Settings, tap Battery, then Battery Health & Charging. If the maximum capacity is below 80 percent, your battery is worn. You may also notice your phone shuts down unexpectedly at 20 or 30 percent, or it drains quickly even when you are not using it heavily. These are all signs the battery should be replaced.
Can I replace my iPhone battery myself without voiding the warranty?
No. Opening your iPhone yourself voids the manufacturer warranty and any AppleCare+ coverage. Only Apple and authorized repair partners can replace the battery while keeping your warranty intact. If you use a self-replacement kit, you lose all warranty protection.
How long does an iPhone battery last after replacement?
A new battery will show 100 percent health when ready after replacement. It will degrade over time — typically losing 10 to 20 percent capacity per year under normal use. Most people get two to three years of good battery life before needing another replacement. Enabling Optimized Battery Charging in Settings can slow this degradation.
Is it cheaper to replace the battery or buy a new iPhone?
Battery replacement costs $69 to $99 and extends your phone's life by two to three years. A new iPhone costs $800 and up. Unless your phone has other serious damage or is too old to receive iOS updates, replacing the battery is almost always cheaper. Check Apple's support page to see how many more years your model will receive updates.
What happens if something goes wrong during a self-replacement?
If you damage the screen, display connector, or other components during self-replacement, Apple will not cover it under warranty. Repair costs can exceed $300. Only attempt self-replacement if you are comfortable working with small electronics and have a clean workspace. If you are unsure, use Apple or an authorized partner instead.