iPhone battery replacement costs between $69 and $99 at Apple, depending on your model and whether your phone is under warranty

Apple charges a flat rate for out-of-warranty battery replacement on most iPhones: $69 for iPhone 15, 14, 13, and 12 models, and $79 for iPhone 11 and older. If your phone is still covered by AppleCare+ or a one-year manufacturer's warranty, the replacement is free. Third-party repair shops typically charge $40 to $60, but quality and parts vary widely. Mail-in services like iFixit and uBreakiFix charge $49 to $69 and ship your phone back within a week.

The cost depends on three things: where you go, whether you have AppleCare+, and how old your phone is. Apple Stores offer the official battery with a one-year warranty on the replacement itself. Independent shops are faster and cheaper but may use refurbished or non-original batteries. If you replace the battery yourself using a kit, you'll spend $15 to $30 on parts, but you risk damaging the phone if you don't have experience with small electronics.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple charges $69 to $99 for out-of-warranty battery replacement, depending on your iPhone model, and the service is free if you have AppleCare+ or are still under the one-year warranty.
  • Third-party repair shops charge $40 to $60 and often complete the work the same day, but the battery may not be original Apple parts.
  • Mail-in services cost $49 to $69 and take five to seven business days, but they ship your phone back with a warranty on the replacement.
  • DIY battery kits cost $15 to $30 but require tools and skill; a mistake during installation can damage the display, logic board, or battery connector.

Apple Store pricing by iPhone model

Apple's official price for out-of-warranty battery replacement is $69 for iPhone 15, 14, 13, and 12. iPhone 11 and iPhone XS models cost $79. iPhone XR costs $79. iPhone 8 and earlier models cost $79. These prices include labor and a new battery with a one-year warranty on the replacement part only, not the phone itself.

If your phone is still under the one-year limited warranty that comes with every new iPhone, or if you have AppleCare+, the battery replacement is free as long as the battery has degraded to 80 percent capacity or lower. You can check your battery health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. AppleCare+ costs $99 to $199 upfront depending on the model and adds two years of accidental damage coverage and battery replacement.

You can book a battery replacement at an Apple Store through the Apple Support app or by calling 1-800-MY-APPLE. Most locations complete the work the same day if you arrive before noon, though wait times vary by location. Apple will back up your data before the replacement, but you should back up your phone yourself beforehand in case something goes wrong.

Third-party repair shops and what to watch for

Independent repair shops charge $40 to $60 for battery replacement and usually finish within an hour. Chains like uBreakiFix, Batteries Plus, and local phone repair stores are faster than Apple and often cheaper. However, not all shops use original Apple batteries. Some use refurbished batteries or third-party batteries that may not last as long or hold a full charge.

Before you choose a shop, ask whether they use original Apple batteries or third-party parts. Original batteries cost the shop more, so they may charge closer to Apple's price. Ask about the warranty on the replacement battery — reputable shops offer at least 30 days. Check reviews on Google Maps or Yelp, and avoid shops with many complaints about battery degradation or swelling after replacement.

One risk with third-party shops is that opening your iPhone voids any remaining AppleCare+ coverage on accidental damage, though battery replacement itself is covered. If your phone has a cracked screen or water damage, get that fixed at Apple first, because third-party shops may refuse to open a damaged phone.

Mail-in repair services

Services like iFixit, uBreakiFix by Asurion, and Puls offer mail-in battery replacement for $49 to $69. You ship your phone to them, they replace the battery, and they ship it back. The whole process takes five to seven business days. These services use original or certified batteries and include a warranty on the replacement.

Mail-in is useful if you don't have a repair shop nearby or want to avoid the hassle of going to a store. The downside is that you're without your phone for a week. Some services offer expedited shipping for an extra fee, but that can push the total cost to $80 or more. Check the service's website for the exact turnaround time before you ship, because it varies by location and current volume.

DIY battery replacement kits

Battery replacement kits for iPhones cost $15 to $30 on Amazon and include a new battery, adhesive strips, and basic tools like a pentalobe screwdriver and plastic pry tools. iFixit sells kits with detailed photo guides and video tutorials. If you're comfortable opening electronics and following step-by-step instructions, DIY is the cheapest option.

The risk is real: if you slip with a pry tool, you can crack the display or damage the battery connector, which costs $200 to $400 to repair. The battery itself is also a small lithium cell that can swell or catch fire if punctured. If you've never opened a phone before, the learning curve is steep. iFixit rates iPhone battery replacement as a medium-difficulty repair, meaning it takes 30 to 60 minutes for someone with experience.

If you decide to try it, watch the full video tutorial first and gather all the tools before you start. Work on a clean, flat surface with good lighting. Take photos as you go so you remember where each screw goes. If you damage the phone during the process, you'll have to pay for professional repair, which erases any savings from the DIY kit.

When battery replacement is free

Apple replaces the battery at no cost if your iPhone is still under the one-year limited warranty and the battery has degraded to 80 percent capacity or lower. Most new iPhones ship with batteries at 100 percent, so you'd need to use the phone heavily for several months before it drops to 80 percent. Check your battery health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging to see the current percentage.

If you have AppleCare+, battery replacement is also free regardless of capacity, as long as the battery is the issue and not physical damage. AppleCare+ covers two years of hardware issues, including battery degradation, accidental damage, and hardware failures. The monthly cost is $3.49 to $8.99 depending on the iPhone model, or you can pay upfront for two years at $99 to $199.

How to know if your battery needs replacement

Your iPhone battery needs replacement if it drops below 80 percent capacity or if the phone shuts down unexpectedly at 20 to 30 percent battery. You can check the exact capacity in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. A battery at 79 percent or lower will drain faster than normal and may not hold a charge through a full day of use.

Unexpected shutdowns happen because the battery can no longer deliver the power the phone demands, even though it shows charge remaining. This is a safety feature — the phone shuts down to prevent damage to the battery. If your phone shuts down at 30 percent every time, a new battery will fix it. If the phone is also slow, hot, or the battery is visibly swollen (the back of the phone bulges), stop using it and take it to Apple or a repair shop when ready, because a swollen battery can catch fire.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an iPhone battery last before I need to replace it?

Apple designs iPhone batteries to retain 80 percent capacity after 500 full charge cycles, which typically takes two to three years of normal use. A charge cycle is when you use 100 percent of the battery's capacity, whether in one day or spread across several days. Heavy users who charge their phone multiple times a day may hit 500 cycles in 18 months.

Can I replace my iPhone battery myself without voiding the warranty?

Opening your iPhone yourself voids the manufacturer's warranty and any AppleCare+ coverage on accidental damage. However, if the battery fails after you replace it, Apple won't cover it because you opened the phone. If you damage something else during the replacement, you'll pay out of pocket to fix it.

Is it cheaper to buy a new iPhone than replace the battery?

No. A new iPhone costs $800 to $1,200, while battery replacement costs $69 to $99. Even if you add a screen repair or other fixes, replacing the battery is almost always cheaper than buying a new phone. A battery replacement extends the life of your current phone by two to three years.

What's the difference between original Apple batteries and third-party batteries?

Original Apple batteries are made by Samsung or TSMC to Apple's specifications and last longer and charge faster. Third-party batteries are often refurbished or made by other manufacturers and may degrade faster or not hold a full charge. The difference in lifespan is usually one to two years.

Do I need to back up my phone before battery replacement?

You should back up your phone before any repair, including battery replacement. While battery replacement is routine and rarely causes data loss, accidents happen. Back up to iCloud through Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud, or to a computer through Finder or iTunes.