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 shop can do it. Or you can buy a replacement battery and tools online and do it yourself — though this voids your warranty and risks damaging the phone if you make a mistake. Which route makes sense depends on your phone model, how much you want to spend, and whether you are comfortable opening the device.

The fastest option is usually an Apple Store if one is near you. Mail-in takes one to two weeks. Authorized shops vary by location and may have longer wait times. DIY takes an hour or two and costs $20 to $50 for the battery and tools, but requires patience and steady hands.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple charges $69 to $99 for a battery replacement depending on your iPhone model, and the work takes one to three hours at a store or one to two weeks by mail.
  • Authorized Apple repair shops charge the same price as Apple but may have different wait times; find them through Apple's repair locator or by calling ahead.
  • DIY replacement costs $20 to $50 for a battery kit and tools but voids your warranty and risks cracking the screen or damaging internal parts if you slip.
  • Before any replacement, back up your phone through iCloud or a computer so you do not lose photos, messages, or settings.
  • Most iPhones made after 2017 require removing the screen first, which is the hardest part of the job and the easiest place to cause damage.

Apple Store and mail-in replacement: cost and timing

Apple charges a flat rate for battery replacement: $69 for iPhone 11 and older models, $79 for iPhone 12 and 13, and $99 for iPhone 14 and newer. This price covers the battery, labor, and a one-year warranty on the replacement battery itself. You do not need to own AppleCare+ to use this service.

At an Apple Store, the work usually takes one to three hours depending on how busy the store is. You can make an appointment online through apple.com or the Apple Support app, or walk in and ask about same-day service. Mail-in service takes longer: you ship your phone to Apple, they replace the battery, and you receive it back in one to two weeks. Mail-in is free if you have AppleCare+; otherwise, Apple charges for return shipping.

Before you go, back up your phone. Use iCloud (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now) or connect to a computer and use Finder or iTunes. Apple does not erase your phone during a battery replacement, but a backup protects you if something goes wrong.

Authorized Apple repair shops: finding one and what to expect

Authorized shops charge the same price as Apple and offer the same warranty. The difference is location and wait time. Some authorized shops are inside Best Buy, Walmart, or independent phone repair stores. Find them through Apple's official repair locator at support.apple.com/repair or by searching "Apple authorized repair near me."

Call ahead before you visit. Wait times vary widely — some shops can do the work the same day, others have a week-long backlog. Ask whether they have your phone model in stock and whether they need an appointment. Bring your phone and a form of ID. Like Apple, they will ask you to back up your data first.

One advantage of authorized shops is that some are open longer hours than Apple Stores, and you may avoid the crowds. The downside is that service quality can vary. Read reviews on Google or Yelp before you choose a shop, and ask whether the technician is Apple-certified.

DIY battery replacement: tools, steps, and risks

You can buy a replacement battery kit online for $20 to $50. Kits usually include the battery, a pentalobe screwdriver (the five-pointed tool Apple uses), a plastic pry tool, and adhesive strips. Popular sources are iFixit, Amazon, and eBay. Check the reviews and make sure the kit is for your exact iPhone model — battery sizes vary.

The process differs slightly by model, but the basic steps are: 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, carefully pry up the screen, disconnect the battery connector inside, remove the old battery, install the new one, reconnect the battery, and seal the screen back down with new adhesive strips. iFixit has step-by-step photo guides for every iPhone model at ifixit.com.

The biggest risk is cracking the screen when you pry it open. The adhesive is strong, and if you rush or use too much force, the glass breaks. A second risk is damaging the battery connector or other internal components if your tools slip. A third is reassembling the phone incorrectly, which can cause the screen not to sit flush or the phone to not power on. If any of these happen, repair costs jump to $200 or more.

DIY makes sense only if you are patient, have done phone repairs before, or are willing to accept the risk of breaking the phone. If you are nervous, the $69 to $99 Apple charges is worth the peace of mind.

How to know if your battery needs replacement

Your iPhone will tell you. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. Look at the "Maximum Capacity" number. If it is 80% or lower, your battery has degraded and you will notice shorter battery life. If it is below 50%, replacement is worth considering soon.

You may also see a message that says "Your battery's health has significantly degraded" or "Service Recommended." This is Apple's way of saying the battery is wearing out. You do not have to replace it when ready — the phone will keep working — but performance will decline over time.

If your phone shuts down unexpectedly even when the battery shows 20% or 30% charge, that is another sign the battery is failing. Older iPhones (iPhone 6 and earlier) may also show a "Battery Service Required" message. In all these cases, replacement will restore normal performance.

What happens to your old battery

If you replace the battery at Apple or an authorized shop, they handle recycling. Apple recycles old batteries through its trade-in and recycling program. You do not pay extra for this.

If you replace the battery yourself, do not throw the old battery in the trash. Lithium batteries are a fire hazard in landfills. Take it to a Best Buy (which has a battery recycling program), an Apple Store, or a local e-waste recycling center. Many cities have drop-off locations — search "[your city] battery recycling" to find one nearby.

Warranty and what is covered after replacement

Apple and authorized shops warranty the replacement battery for one year from the date of service. If the new battery fails during that year, they will replace it again at no cost. This warranty covers defects in the battery itself, not damage from drops, water, or misuse.

Your phone's overall warranty is not affected by a battery replacement. If you have AppleCare+, it stays active. If you do a DIY replacement, your warranty does not cover future hardware failures caused by the repair — though Apple may still repair other parts of the phone under the original warranty if the damage is unrelated.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

You can, but it is risky. The hardest part is removing the screen without cracking it. If you watch a video guide carefully and work slowly, many people succeed on their first try. But if you slip or rush, you could break the screen or damage internal parts, turning a $50 repair into a $300 one. If you are not confident, pay Apple.

How long does an iPhone battery last before it needs replacement?

Apple designs batteries to retain 80% capacity after 500 full charge cycles. In real use, that is roughly two to three years for most people. After that, you will notice the phone does not last as long between charges. You do not have to replace it when ready, but performance will keep declining.

Is it cheaper to replace the battery or buy a new phone?

Battery replacement costs $69 to $99. A new iPhone costs $800 and up. If your phone is less than four years old and works otherwise, replacement is much cheaper. If the phone has other problems (cracked screen, water damage, slow processor), a new phone may make more sense.

Will replacing the battery fix my phone if it is slow?

Maybe. If your battery is very degraded, iOS throttles the processor to prevent unexpected shutdowns, which makes the phone feel slow. A new battery can restore speed. But if the phone is slow for other reasons (full storage, old processor, too many apps running), a battery replacement will not help.

Can I use a third-party battery instead of an Apple battery?

Yes, but Apple and authorized shops only install Apple batteries. If you go DIY, third-party batteries are cheaper ($15 to $30) but vary in quality. Some work fine; others degrade faster or do not hold a full charge. Read reviews carefully and buy from a seller with a return policy in case the battery is defective.