iPhone battery replacement costs between $69 and $99 at Apple, depending on your model, and takes three to five business days at most locations. Third-party repair shops often charge $30 to $60, but the trade-off is that you lose any remaining manufacturer coverage. If your phone is still under warranty or you have AppleCare+, the replacement may cost nothing.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple charges $69 for iPhone 15 and newer models, and $99 for older models like iPhone 14 and earlier.
  • AppleCare+ covers battery replacement at no cost if the battery has lost more than 80 percent of its capacity.
  • Third-party repair shops cost less upfront but may void your warranty and offer no may provide on parts or labor.
  • Mail-in service through Apple takes longer but works if no Apple Store is nearby, and you can back up your data before sending the phone.
  • Battery health degrades over time for all iPhones, and replacement becomes more cost-effective than buying a new phone once your battery drops below 80 percent capacity.

Apple's official pricing by model and age

Apple charges a flat rate based on when your iPhone was released, not on the specific model number. iPhones released in 2023 or later — the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max — cost $69 to replace. Every iPhone released before that, including the iPhone 14 series, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, and older, costs $99.

This pricing applies whether you walk into an Apple Store, mail your phone to Apple, or use an authorized Apple service provider. The cost does not change based on how badly the battery is damaged or how old the phone is. A 2018 iPhone XS with a completely dead battery costs the same $99 as an iPhone 14 with a battery at 1 percent health.

Apple's pricing includes the battery itself, the labor to remove and install it, and a 90-day warranty on the replacement battery. The work is done by Apple technicians or certified technicians at authorized providers, which means the parts are genuine Apple batteries.

What AppleCare+ covers and when it applies

AppleCare+ is Apple's extended protection plan, and it covers battery replacement at no cost if your battery has degraded to 80 percent capacity or lower. You can check your battery health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging on any iPhone. If you have AppleCare+ and your battery shows 80 percent or less, you pay nothing for the replacement.

AppleCare+ costs $99 to $199 depending on the iPhone model and must be purchased within 60 days of buying the phone. If you already own the phone and did not buy AppleCare+ at the time of purchase, you cannot add it later. The plan lasts two years and covers accidental damage, hardware failures, and battery degradation, though accidental damage claims include a $29 to $99 deductible depending on the damage type.

If you do not have AppleCare+ and your battery is still under the one-year limited warranty that comes with every iPhone, Apple will replace it free only if the battery has failed completely — meaning it no longer holds any charge at all. Normal degradation, even down to 50 percent capacity, is not covered by the standard warranty.

Third-party repair shops and what you trade off

Independent phone repair shops typically charge $30 to $60 for an iPhone battery replacement, roughly half what Apple charges. These shops are found in most shopping centers and strip malls, and many offer same-day service. The speed and lower cost are real advantages if you need the phone working when ready and money is tight.

The downside is that third-party repairs void your remaining manufacturer warranty. If something else breaks on the phone after a third-party battery replacement, Apple will not cover it under warranty, even if the new problem is unrelated to the battery. You also have no may provide that the replacement battery is genuine — many shops use refurbished or aftermarket batteries that may not last as long or perform as reliably as Apple's batteries.

Before choosing a third-party shop, check online reviews on Google Maps or Yelp and ask whether they use original or aftermarket batteries. Some shops will show you the battery they are installing before they start work. If the shop cannot or will not answer these questions, find another one.

How to get the replacement done: in-store, mail-in, or authorized provider

The fastest route is an Apple Store if one is within reasonable distance. Walk in, tell them your battery health is below 80 percent, and they will schedule you for the same day or next day in most cases. The replacement takes two to four hours, and you can wait in the store or leave and come back. Bring your phone and a form of ID.

If no Apple Store is nearby, you can mail your phone to Apple through their repair service. Go to apple.com/repair, select your device, describe the battery issue, and Apple will email you a prepaid shipping label. You pack the phone, drop it at a UPS location, and Apple receives it within two to three business days. The replacement takes one to two business days once it arrives, and Apple ships it back to you. Total time is usually five to seven business days. Before mailing the phone, back up your data through iCloud or a computer, because the phone will be wiped during service.

Authorized Apple service providers — usually found at Best Buy, Walmart, or independent electronics stores — offer the same pricing and warranty as Apple Stores but may have longer wait times. Call ahead to confirm they have batteries in stock and can do the work the same day or next day.

When replacement makes financial sense versus buying new

A battery replacement at $69 to $99 makes sense if your phone is otherwise working well and you plan to keep it for at least another year. If your battery is at 50 percent capacity and you use the phone heavily, you are probably charging it twice a day, which is inconvenient but not expensive. Once the battery drops below 50 percent, the phone becomes noticeably slower because iOS throttles performance to protect the battery, and you may find yourself plugging in constantly.

If your phone is three years old or older and the battery is below 80 percent, a replacement extends the phone's useful life by one to two years for under $100. A new iPhone costs $800 to $1,200, so the math strongly favors replacement. If your phone is already showing other problems — a cracked screen, water damage, or hardware failures — then replacement may not be worth it, and buying new might be the better choice.

What happens if you ignore a degraded battery

An iPhone with a battery below 80 percent will not suddenly stop working, but you will notice the effects gradually. The phone will shut down unexpectedly when the battery reaches 20 percent, even though it shows 20 percent on screen. This happens because the battery cannot deliver the power the phone needs, so iOS cuts power to protect the battery from damage. You will also see the phone slow down noticeably, especially when opening apps or taking photos, because iOS reduces processor speed to draw less power.

Over months, the battery will degrade further, and the phone will shut down at higher percentages — eventually at 40 or 50 percent. At that point, the phone becomes nearly unusable without constant charging. The battery itself will not explode or catch fire from normal use, but it will swell slightly as it ages, which can push the screen or back panel out of alignment. If you see the screen separating from the body or the back panel bulging, stop using the phone and have the battery replaced when ready, because a swollen battery can fail suddenly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace the battery myself?

iPhones are not designed for user replacement. The battery is glued to the inside of the phone, and removing it requires heating the adhesive, which risks damaging the screen, logic board, or other components. Unless you have professional tools and experience, attempting this yourself will likely cost you more in repairs than paying Apple or a shop to do it. Apple and authorized providers are the safest option.

Does Apple replace the battery faster if I pay more?

No. Apple charges the same price for all iPhone battery replacements of the same model, and there is no expedited or priority option. If you need the phone faster, your only option is to go to an Apple Store in person rather than mail it in, or to use a third-party repair shop that offers same-day service.

Will the replacement battery be as good as the original?

Yes, if you use Apple or an authorized provider. Apple replacement batteries are genuine Apple parts and carry a 90-day warranty. They will perform identically to the original battery. Third-party shops may use refurbished or aftermarket batteries, which may not last as long or hold a full charge as reliably.

What if my phone is water damaged and also needs a battery?

Apple will inspect the phone for water damage before replacing the battery. If water damage is found, the battery replacement may be denied because the damage could have caused the battery problem, and fixing only the battery will not solve the underlying issue. You may be quoted a higher repair cost to address both problems, or Apple may recommend replacing the phone instead.

Can I get a discount on battery replacement if I trade in my old phone?

No. Battery replacement pricing and trade-in programs are separate. You can trade in your phone for credit toward a new phone, but that does not reduce the cost of a battery replacement on the phone you currently own. If you are considering both options, calculate the total cost of replacement plus keeping the phone versus trading in and buying new.