Three ways to replace an iPhone battery
You can replace your iPhone battery through Apple directly, at an Apple-authorized repair shop, or by doing it yourself with a kit. Apple charges between $69 and $99 depending on your model and whether it is still under warranty. Authorized repair shops often charge the same or slightly less. DIY replacement costs $20 to $40 for a battery kit but requires opening your phone and risks damaging the screen or internal components if you slip.
The fastest route is usually an Apple Store appointment, which takes about an hour. Authorized shops vary — some finish the same day, others take a few days. DIY replacement takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on your comfort with small tools and how tightly Apple sealed your specific model.
Key Takeaways
- Apple and authorized repair shops charge $69 to $99 and back up your data before replacing the battery.
- DIY battery kits cost $20 to $40 but require a pentalobe screwdriver, a heat gun or hair dryer, and steady hands to avoid cracking the screen.
- Your iPhone battery degrades over time and loses the ability to hold a full charge after roughly 500 charge cycles, usually two to three years of normal use.
- Apple will replace the battery at no cost if your phone is still under the one-year limited warranty or if the battery is defective.
When your iPhone battery needs replacing
Your iPhone battery degrades with every charge cycle. After about 500 full charge cycles — roughly two to three years of daily use — the battery holds noticeably less charge. You will notice your phone shuts down at 20 or 30 percent battery, or it drains from 100 to zero in a few hours instead of a full day.
Check your battery health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. If Maximum Capacity is below 80 percent, replacement will restore most of your phone's runtime. If it is below 50 percent, your phone may shut down unexpectedly even with charge remaining.
Apple Store and authorized repair routes
Book an appointment at apple.com or in the Apple Support app. Bring your phone and your Apple ID password. Apple will back up your data, replace the battery, and restore your phone — you leave with everything intact. The appointment takes about an hour, though wait times vary by location.
Authorized repair shops — Best Buy, Walmart, and carrier stores like Verizon and AT&T — follow similar steps. Call ahead to confirm they stock a battery for your model and ask how long the repair takes. Some finish same-day; others keep your phone for a few days. Prices are usually $69 to $99, matching Apple's rates.
If your phone is still under the one-year limited warranty, Apple replaces the battery at no cost. If the battery is defective — meaning it fails before the normal degradation timeline — Apple may replace it free even after the warranty ends. Bring proof of purchase or your receipt if you have it.
DIY battery replacement with a kit
Battery replacement kits for iPhone cost $20 to $40 on Amazon or iFixit and include the battery, adhesive strips, and basic tools. You will also need a pentalobe screwdriver (the five-pointed star shape Apple uses), a heat gun or hair dryer, a plastic spoon or pry tool, and isopropyl alcohol. Watch a video for your exact model before you start — the steps differ between iPhone 12, iPhone 14, iPhone 15, and older models.
The general process: heat the edges of your phone to soften the adhesive, remove the two pentalobe screws at the bottom, carefully pry the screen away from the body, disconnect the battery connector, peel away the old battery, clean the adhesive residue with isopropyl alcohol, stick the new battery in place, reconnect the battery connector, and press the screen back down. The whole job takes 30 minutes to two hours depending on how tightly your phone was sealed and how carefully you work.
The main risk is cracking your screen while prying it open. If you slip and crack the glass, you will need a screen replacement on top of the battery replacement, which costs $200 to $400 at Apple. If you are not confident with small tools or have never opened a phone before, the Apple Store route is safer.
What to do before and after replacement
Back up your phone before you take it in for repair. If you are using Apple's service, they do this for you, but if you are doing it yourself, connect to Wi-Fi and go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now. This takes a few minutes and saves your photos, messages, and settings to iCloud.
After replacement, your phone will restart and ask you to sign in with your Apple ID. If Apple or an authorized shop did the work, your data will restore automatically. If you did it yourself, your phone will be blank — restore from your iCloud backup by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Restore and signing in.
Avoid using your phone for the first hour after replacement while the adhesive sets. If you used a DIY kit, do not submerge your phone in water for 24 hours even though newer iPhones are water-resistant — the adhesive needs time to cure fully.
Cost comparison: Apple, authorized shops, and DIY
The three routes differ in what you pay upfront and what risks you take on. Apple and authorized shops cost the same but differ in speed and convenience. DIY is cheapest but carries the highest risk of accidental damage.
| Route | Cost | Time | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Store | $69–$99 (free if under warranty) | 1 hour | None — data backed up, warranty honored |
| Authorized repair shop | $69–$99 | Same day to 3 days | Low — depends on shop reputation |
| DIY kit | $20–$40 | 30 minutes to 2 hours | High — screen crack costs $200–$400 to fix |
For most people, the Apple Store is the safest choice because your data is protected and you have recourse if something goes wrong. Authorized shops work well if you want to save time or prefer a local business. DIY makes sense only if you have experience opening electronics and are willing to accept the risk of a cracked screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will replacing the battery void my warranty?
No. Apple and authorized shops replace batteries under warranty without voiding coverage. If you do a DIY replacement, your warranty is not automatically void, but Apple may refuse to repair other issues if they determine the DIY work caused the damage. Keep your receipt from the battery kit in case you need to prove you did not damage the phone intentionally.
Can I replace the battery myself if my screen is already cracked?
Yes, but it is harder. A cracked screen is already loose, so you will not need to heat and pry as aggressively. However, the cracks may spread while you work. If the screen is badly shattered, an Apple Store can replace both the screen and battery in one visit, which is often cheaper than doing them separately.
How long does a new battery last?
A new battery lasts roughly 500 charge cycles before it drops below 80 percent capacity. For most people, that is two to three years of daily use. After that, the battery will degrade again, and you may need another replacement.
What if I lose my Apple ID password before going to the Apple Store?
Reset it at iforgot.apple.com before your appointment. Apple will not complete the repair without your password to re-enable Find My iPhone and sign you back in. Bring a government ID as well — Apple may ask for it to verify your identity.
Is it safe to use a third-party battery instead of an Apple battery?
Third-party batteries are cheaper but may not hold charge as long or perform as reliably as Apple batteries. Authorized repair shops use genuine Apple batteries. DIY kits vary — iFixit batteries are generally reliable, but cheaper Amazon batteries sometimes fail within a year. Read reviews for the specific kit before ordering.