iPhone battery replacement costs between $69 and $99 at Apple, depending on your model, plus tax

Apple charges a flat rate for out-of-warranty battery replacement: $69 for iPhone 15 and most older models, $79 for iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, and $99 for iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. These prices are the same whether you go to an Apple Store, an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or mail your phone to Apple. If your battery is still under the one-year limited warranty and the degradation is a manufacturing defect rather than normal wear, Apple replaces it at no cost.

The catch is that "normal wear" covers a lot of ground. Apple considers a battery that holds 80% of its original capacity after one year to be functioning normally. Once you cross that threshold, any further degradation is yours to pay for. Most people hit 80% capacity somewhere between 18 months and three years of daily use, depending on how often they charge and what they do with the phone.

Third-party repair shops — the ones in strip malls, at Best Buy, or through mail-in services like iFixit — typically charge $30 to $60 for the same battery replacement. The trade-off is that these shops are not Apple-certified, so the battery may not be genuine Apple hardware, the repair may void any remaining warranty coverage, and the quality of the work depends entirely on the individual shop's standards.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple's official battery replacement costs $69 to $99 depending on your iPhone model, and this price is the same at an Apple Store, authorized service provider, or by mail.
  • Your battery is covered free under warranty only if it holds less than 80% capacity within the first year and the degradation is a manufacturing defect, not normal use.
  • Third-party repair shops charge $30 to $60 but may use non-genuine batteries and can void your remaining warranty.
  • Replacing the battery yourself using a kit from iFixit or Amazon costs $15 to $40 for the part but requires opening your phone and risks damaging the screen or water sealing.

When your battery is still under warranty

If you bought your iPhone less than a year ago and the battery now holds significantly less charge than it did when new, Apple will replace it free. You do not need to prove anything — you just describe the problem to Apple Support or a Genius Bar appointment, and they run a diagnostic test that measures the battery's current capacity.

The diagnostic is the key. If the test shows the battery is below 80% capacity and you are still within the one-year window, Apple considers it a defect and replaces it at no charge. If you are outside the one-year window or the battery is at 80% or above, you pay the standard replacement fee.

AppleCare+ extends this coverage to two years and also covers accidental damage to the battery (for example, if the phone was dropped and the battery was damaged as a result). Without AppleCare+, accidental damage is not covered — only manufacturing defects.

How to get the replacement done

You have three official routes: an Apple Store, an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or Apple's mail-in repair service. An Apple Store appointment usually takes one to three business days if you book ahead; walk-ins may wait longer. Authorized Service Providers — often found at Best Buy, Costco, or independent electronics shops — have similar timelines but vary by location.

If you mail your phone to Apple, you ship it to them, they replace the battery, and they ship it back. The whole process takes about five to seven business days plus shipping time. You pay for return shipping unless you have AppleCare+, which covers it. During the repair, you do not have your phone, so this route works best if you have a backup device or can go without for a week or two.

Before you go in or ship it out, back up your phone using iCloud or a computer. Apple erases the phone during the repair process and restores it from your backup afterward, but having a recent backup means you will not lose anything if something goes wrong.

Third-party repair shops and their trade-offs

Independent repair shops, chain retailers like Best Buy, and mail-in services like iFixit or Puls charge less than Apple — usually $30 to $60 — because they use aftermarket batteries instead of genuine Apple parts. An aftermarket battery works fine for most people and lasts just as long as an Apple battery, but it may not be identical in capacity or performance.

The bigger risk is warranty. If you have AppleCare+ or any remaining manufacturer warranty, using a third-party repair shop may void it. Apple's warranty does not cover damage caused by non-Apple repairs, so if something else breaks on your phone after a third-party battery replacement, Apple may refuse to cover it. Check your specific warranty terms before you decide.

Quality also varies widely. A reputable shop will use a decent aftermarket battery, test it before handing the phone back, and stand behind the work. A careless shop might damage the screen during disassembly, fail to properly reseal the water-resistant gasket, or install a low-quality battery that fails in six months. Read reviews for any shop you are considering, and ask what warranty they offer on the battery itself.

Doing the replacement yourself

iFixit and other retailers sell iPhone battery replacement kits for $15 to $40, including the battery, adhesive strips, and basic tools. If you are comfortable opening your phone and following step-by-step video instructions, this is the cheapest option. iFixit's guides are detailed and widely trusted.

The risks are real, though. Opening an iPhone requires prying off the screen, which can crack if you explore uneven pressure. The battery is glued down with strong adhesive, so removing it without damaging the battery itself or the internal components takes patience and the right tools. If you slip and damage the logic board or the camera, you have just turned a $69 repair into a $300+ phone replacement.

You also lose the water-resistant seal. iPhones are sealed with adhesive gaskets that keep water out. Once you open the phone, you have to reapply these gaskets correctly, or your phone becomes vulnerable to water damage. If you are not confident in your ability to do this, the risk is not worth the $30 you save.

Signs your battery needs replacement

Your battery is degrading normally if your phone loses 5% to 10% of its charge per year of use. You might notice the phone shuts down unexpectedly when the battery shows 20% or 30% charge, or the battery percentage jumps erratically (showing 50%, then suddenly 20%). These are signs the battery is near the end of its useful life.

To check your battery's actual health, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. The "Maximum Capacity" number tells you what percentage of the original capacity remains. If it is below 80% and your phone is more than a year old, a replacement will noticeably improve how long the phone lasts between charges.

If your phone is shutting down at 40% or 50% charge, or if the battery drains 20% or more in an hour of light use, the battery is likely below 70% capacity and replacement is worth considering. If your phone is still holding 85% or above, you can probably wait another year or two before replacing it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Apple replace my battery if I cracked the screen?

No. Apple requires the phone to be in working condition before they will service the battery. If the screen is cracked, you have to repair that first, which costs $169 to $399 depending on the model. Some third-party shops will replace the battery even with a cracked screen, but confirm this before you bring the phone in.

How long does a replacement battery last?

A genuine Apple battery or a quality aftermarket battery lasts about as long as the original — typically three to five years of daily use before it drops below 80% capacity again. The lifespan depends more on your charging habits than the battery itself. Keeping your phone between 20% and 80% charge most of the time extends battery life.

Can I replace the battery myself if I have AppleCare+?

Technically yes, but it voids your AppleCare+ coverage. If you damage anything else during the replacement, AppleCare+ will not cover it. If you want to keep the coverage active, use an Apple-authorized repair service.

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

Almost never. A used iPhone in good condition costs $200 to $600 depending on the model and age. A battery replacement costs $69 to $99. Unless your phone is very old or has other serious problems, replacing the battery is far cheaper than replacing the entire phone.

What happens to my data during battery replacement?

Apple erases your phone during the repair and restores it from your backup. As long as you have a recent iCloud or computer backup, all your data, apps, and settings come back exactly as they were. If you do not have a backup, you will lose everything on the phone.