What you need to know before you start

You can replace an iPhone battery yourself using basic tools, but Apple and most repair shops recommend letting a professional handle it. The battery is glued down inside the phone, and prying it out risks cracking the screen or damaging the logic board — the main circuit board that runs everything. If you do it yourself, you lose any remaining warranty coverage. If something goes wrong during the process, you may end up with a phone that won't turn on.

The safest route is an Apple Store or Apple-authorized repair shop, where a technician replaces the battery in about an hour and tests it before you leave. Third-party repair shops (like uBreakiFix or local independent shops) cost less but vary widely in quality. If you choose to do it yourself, you need a pentalobe screwdriver, a plastic pry tool, tweezers, and a heat gun or hair dryer — and you must follow the exact steps for your specific iPhone model, because the internal layout changes year to year.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple Stores and authorized repair shops replace batteries in about an hour and cost between $69 and $99 depending on your iPhone model.
  • Third-party repair shops are cheaper but quality varies, so check reviews and ask whether they use genuine or aftermarket batteries.
  • Doing it yourself requires a pentalobe screwdriver, plastic pry tools, tweezers, and a heat gun, plus exact instructions for your model.
  • The battery is glued in place, so you must heat it first to soften the adhesive, or you risk cracking the screen or damaging internal components.
  • If your iPhone is still under warranty or AppleCare+, battery replacement may be free if the battery health has dropped below 80 percent.

Getting your battery replaced at an Apple Store

Walk into any Apple Store with your iPhone and ask for a battery replacement. They will run a diagnostic test on the spot to confirm the battery is the problem — this takes a few minutes and is free. If the battery health has fallen below 80 percent, the replacement is covered under warranty or AppleCare+ at no cost. If the battery is still above 80 percent but you want it replaced anyway, you pay the out-of-warranty fee.

The cost depends on your model: iPhone 15 and newer models run $99, older models like iPhone 14 or 13 run $69 to $79. You can book an appointment online through Apple's website or the Apple Store app, or walk in and wait — wait times vary from 30 minutes to several hours depending on how busy the store is. The replacement itself takes about an hour. They test the new battery before you leave and give you back your phone fully functional.

If you have AppleCare+, you pay only the service fee (usually $29) instead of the full replacement cost, as long as the battery is genuinely defective. AppleCare+ covers battery replacement once the health drops below 80 percent.

Using a third-party repair shop

Independent repair shops and chains like uBreakiFix, Best Buy's Geek Squad, or local phone repair stores typically charge $40 to $70 for a battery replacement — less than Apple but more variable in quality. Before you go, call ahead and ask three things: whether they use genuine Apple batteries or aftermarket batteries, how long the replacement takes, and whether they offer any warranty on the work.

Genuine batteries are harder to source and cost the shop more, so cheaper shops often use aftermarket batteries that work but may not last as long or charge as reliably. Ask to see the battery before they install it — the packaging should say "Designed by Apple in California" if it is genuine. Some shops will show you the old battery afterward so you can see the condition.

Check Google reviews or Yelp for the specific shop before you go. Look for comments about whether the phone worked correctly after the repair and whether the battery held a charge. A shop with mostly five-star reviews and a few complaints about battery life is usually safer than one with mixed reviews or complaints about the phone not turning on after service.

Replacing the battery yourself

If you decide to do this yourself, you need the right tools and the exact instructions for your iPhone model. iFixit.com has step-by-step photo guides for every iPhone model — search for your model number (found in Settings > General > About) and follow their battery replacement guide exactly. Do not skip steps or improvise.

You will need: a pentalobe screwdriver (the five-pointed star shape used on iPhones), a plastic pry tool or spudger, tweezers, a heat gun or hair dryer on high setting, and the replacement battery itself. Buy a kit that includes all of these — they cost $20 to $40 on Amazon. The battery alone costs $15 to $25 if you buy it separately.

The process takes 30 to 60 minutes if you have done it before, or 90 minutes to two hours if this is your first time. You must heat the phone's edges for 30 to 60 seconds to soften the adhesive holding the battery in, then carefully pry it up using the plastic tool — not a metal screwdriver, which can puncture the battery or damage the screen. If the battery punctures, it can catch fire, so work slowly and stop if you feel resistance.

After you remove the old battery, clean off the old adhesive with isopropyl alcohol and let it dry completely. Stick the new battery in place using the adhesive strips that come with the replacement kit, reconnect the battery connector, and reassemble the phone. Test it before you close it up completely.

What to do if your phone won't turn on after a battery replacement

If you replaced the battery yourself and the phone won't turn on, the most common cause is a loose battery connector — the small plug that attaches the battery to the logic board. Open the phone back up, make sure the connector is fully seated (pushed all the way in), and try again. If it still does not work, the battery connector itself may be damaged, which requires micro-soldering and is beyond DIY repair.

If a repair shop replaced the battery and the phone won't turn on, take it back when ready — most shops offer a warranty on their work and will fix it for free or replace the phone if they damaged it. Do not try to open it again yourself, because that voids any warranty the shop offered.

If your phone turns on but the battery drains very quickly, the battery itself may be defective. If you used a third-party shop, go back and ask them to test it. If you did it yourself, the battery may be a low-quality aftermarket unit — you can try a different brand, or take it to Apple or a professional shop and pay for a genuine replacement.

When to replace your battery versus buying a new phone

A battery replacement makes sense if your phone is less than four years old, the screen and body are in good condition, and it still runs the current version of iOS. If your phone is five years old or older, the processor is slow, or the screen is cracked, you may get more value from buying a new phone — a used iPhone from the previous generation costs $300 to $500 and will last another three to four years.

Check your battery health first: go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. If the maximum capacity is below 80 percent and the phone is still under warranty or AppleCare+, replacement is free or nearly free. If the maximum capacity is between 80 and 90 percent, the phone still has life left — you can replace the battery and use it for another year or two. If it is above 90 percent, the battery is probably not your problem; the slowness may be from a full storage drive or an old processor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a new iPhone battery last?

A genuine Apple battery is designed to retain 80 percent of its capacity after 500 full charge cycles — roughly one to two years of normal use. After that, it degrades gradually. Aftermarket batteries vary widely; some last nearly as long, others degrade faster. You can check how many cycles your current battery has gone through using third-party apps like Coconut Battery, though Apple does not display this number in Settings.

Can I replace the battery on an iPhone 15 or newer?

Yes, but Apple made it harder. Newer iPhones have the battery glued in more aggressively and require heating to 60 degrees Celsius (140 Fahrenheit) to remove safely. iFixit guides cover this, but the risk of cracking the screen is higher. Most people with newer iPhones should use Apple or a professional shop rather than doing it themselves.

What is the difference between a genuine Apple battery and an aftermarket battery?

Genuine Apple batteries are made by the same manufacturers Apple uses in new phones and are tested to the same standards. Aftermarket batteries work and charge, but may not hold a charge as long or may degrade faster. They are cheaper and fine for short-term use, but if you plan to keep the phone for another two years, a genuine battery is worth the extra cost.

Will replacing the battery fix my slow iPhone?

Only if the battery health is below 80 percent. iOS throttles the processor when the battery is weak to prevent the phone from shutting down unexpectedly — this makes the phone feel slow. If battery health is above 80 percent, slowness is usually from a full storage drive, too many background apps, or an older processor. Check Settings > iPhone Storage to see how much space is left.

Do I lose my data if I replace the battery?

No. The battery is separate from the storage drive where your photos, messages, and apps live. Replacing the battery does not erase anything. However, if something goes wrong during the replacement and the phone stops working, you may lose access to your data unless you have a backup in iCloud or on a computer.