You have three ways to replace an iPhone battery

Apple will replace your battery at an Apple Store or through mail-in service. An authorized Apple repair partner — usually a carrier store or independent repair shop certified by Apple — can do the same work. You can also replace the battery yourself if you have the right tools and are comfortable opening your phone, though this voids your warranty and risks damage.

The fastest option is usually an Apple Store if one is near you. Mail-in service takes one to two weeks. Independent shops vary widely in speed and price. DIY replacement takes an hour or two and costs $20 to $50 for parts, but requires precision and carries real risk of breaking your screen or logic board.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple charges between $69 and $99 for a battery replacement depending on your iPhone model, and the work takes one to three hours at an Apple Store.
  • Authorized repair partners often charge the same price as Apple but may have shorter wait times, especially at carrier stores like Verizon or AT&T.
  • Independent repair shops may charge less than Apple but vary widely in quality and warranty coverage, so check reviews and ask what may provide they offer.
  • DIY replacement requires a pentalobe screwdriver, suction cup, and spudger, costs $20 to $50 in parts, and will void your AppleCare+ coverage if you have it.
  • Your battery is covered under AppleCare+ if the battery capacity drops below 80 percent within the coverage period, but standard warranty does not cover battery wear.

Apple Store and mail-in replacement

Visit apple.com/support or go to an Apple Store in person to start a repair. If you go in person, you can often get a same-day or next-day appointment. The technician will run a diagnostic to confirm the battery is the problem, then replace it while you wait — usually one to three hours depending on how busy the store is.

If you mail your phone to Apple, you ship it to a repair center, and the work takes five to ten business days plus shipping time both ways. Apple will send you a prepaid shipping label. The cost is the same whether you go in person or by mail: $69 for iPhone 11 and older models, $79 for iPhone 12 through 14, and $99 for iPhone 15 and newer. These prices assume your phone is out of warranty. If you have AppleCare+, the replacement is free if your battery capacity has dropped below 80 percent.

Authorized repair partners

Authorized Apple repair partners include Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Best Buy, and independent shops that have passed Apple's certification. You can find them at apple.com/repair by entering your zip code. Most charge the same price as Apple — $69 to $99 — but some offer faster turnaround because they have less demand than Apple Stores.

Carrier stores like Verizon and AT&T often have same-day or next-day slots available. Independent shops vary: some can do the work in an hour, others take several days. Call ahead to ask how long the wait is and whether they offer any warranty on the replacement battery. A reputable shop will may provide the battery for at least one year.

Independent repair shops

Non-Apple repair shops charge $40 to $80 for a battery replacement, sometimes less. They do not have access to Apple's parts or training, so quality depends entirely on the individual shop. Before you go, check Google reviews and ask whether they use genuine Apple batteries or third-party batteries, and what warranty they offer on the work.

The main risk is that a shop may damage your screen or logic board while opening the phone, and you will have no recourse if something goes wrong. Some shops offer a 30-day or 90-day warranty on the battery itself but not on damage they cause during installation. If something breaks during the repair, you will have to pay to fix it. For this reason, independent shops make sense only if you are comfortable with that risk and want to save $20 to $30.

DIY battery replacement with tools

You can buy a replacement battery kit online for $20 to $50. The kit includes the battery, a pentalobe screwdriver (the five-pointed screw Apple uses), a suction cup, a plastic spudger, and sometimes a heat gun. You will also need a small Phillips screwdriver. Kits from iFixit or similar vendors include detailed photo guides and video tutorials.

The process takes one to two hours. You heat the edges of the phone to soften the adhesive, use the suction cup to lift the screen, disconnect the battery connector inside, peel away the old battery, and glue the new one in place with the adhesive strips that come in the kit. The hardest part is not cracking the screen while you pry it open — the screen is glued down and fragile. If you slip, you will need a new screen, which costs $200 to $400.

DIY replacement voids your AppleCare+ warranty and any remaining manufacturer warranty. If anything goes wrong during the repair — a cracked screen, a broken connector, liquid damage — you are responsible for the cost to fix it. For most people, the $20 to $30 savings is not worth the risk.

How to check your battery health before you replace it

Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging on your iPhone. You will see a number labeled "Maximum Capacity" — this is the percentage of the battery's original charge your phone can now hold. If it is 80 percent or higher, your battery is still healthy. If it is below 80 percent, replacement may help. If it is below 50 percent, your phone will likely shut down unexpectedly under load, and replacement is worth doing.

You will also see "Condition" — if it says "Normal", your battery does not need replacement yet. If it says "Service Recommended" or "Service Battery", Apple or an authorized partner can replace it. If it says "Replace Now", the battery is degraded enough that you should replace it soon. This information is free to check and takes 30 seconds.

What to do before you hand over your phone

Back up your data to iCloud or a computer using Finder (on Mac) or iTunes (on Windows). You do not need to erase your phone — the technician will not touch your data — but a backup protects you if something goes wrong. Turn off Find My iPhone in Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone, because some repair shops cannot complete the work if Find My is on.

If you are going to an Apple Store or authorized partner, bring your phone and your ID. If you are mailing it to Apple, include a note with your phone number and the issue you are reporting. Do not include any accessories or chargers — just the phone in its original box if you have it, or a padded envelope if you do not.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a new iPhone battery last?

Apple designs batteries to retain 80 percent of their capacity after 500 full charge cycles. In real use, that is roughly two to three years for most people. After that, the battery will continue to work but will hold less charge each day. You do not have to replace it immediately — you can wait until capacity drops below 50 percent if you are willing to charge more often.

Will replacing the battery fix my phone if it shuts down randomly?

Maybe. Random shutdowns are often caused by a degraded battery, especially if your phone is more than two years old. Check your battery health first — if capacity is below 50 percent, replacement will likely fix the problem. If capacity is above 80 percent, the shutdowns are probably caused by something else, and a technician should diagnose it before you pay for a battery replacement.

Can I replace the battery myself if I have never done it before?

You can, but it is risky. The screen is the most fragile part — it is glued down and easy to crack if you pry too hard. If you are comfortable watching a 30-minute video and following step-by-step instructions, you can do it. If you are not, the $20 to $30 you save is not worth the risk of a $200 to $400 screen replacement.

Does AppleCare+ cover battery replacement?

Yes, if your battery capacity has dropped below 80 percent. The replacement is free with AppleCare+. Without AppleCare+, you pay $69 to $99 depending on your model. AppleCare+ costs $99 to $199 upfront depending on your iPhone, so it only makes financial sense if you plan to use it for other repairs as well.

What is the difference between a genuine Apple battery and a third-party battery?

Genuine Apple batteries are made by the same manufacturers Apple uses in new phones and come with Apple's quality may provide. Third-party batteries are cheaper but may not hold charge as long or may have compatibility issues with iOS updates. Most independent shops use third-party batteries to keep costs down. If you want a genuine battery, go to Apple or an authorized partner.