You can replace your iPhone battery yourself or have Apple do it

Apple offers battery replacement at their stores and authorized repair shops for a flat fee, usually between $50 and $80 depending on your iPhone model. You can also buy a replacement battery and tools online and do it yourself, though this requires opening your phone and risks damage if you're not careful. The choice depends on whether you want the certainty of a professional repair or are willing to take on the work yourself to save money.

Before you replace the battery, check whether your iPhone still has a warranty or AppleCare+ coverage. If it does, the replacement may be free or cost less. You can see your coverage status in the Settings app under General > About, or by visiting apple.com and signing in with your Apple ID.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple replaces iPhone batteries at their stores and authorized repair shops for a fixed fee that varies by model, usually $50 to $80.
  • You can replace the battery yourself using a kit from iFixit or Amazon, but it requires opening the phone and carries a risk of cracking the screen or damaging internal connectors.
  • Check your warranty or AppleCare+ coverage before paying for a replacement, as it may be free or reduced cost.
  • The process takes about an hour at an Apple Store, or two to three hours if you do it yourself for the first time.
  • A degraded battery shows up in Settings under Battery Health, where you can see the maximum capacity your battery can now hold compared to when it was new.

How to check if your battery needs replacement

Open Settings, tap Battery, then Battery Health & Charging. You'll see "Maximum Capacity" — this is the percentage of charge your battery can now hold compared to when it was new. If it's below 80%, your battery is degraded. You'll also see "Condition" at the bottom, which tells you whether the battery is Normal or if it needs service.

If Condition says "Service Recommended" or "Service Battery," the battery should be replaced. If Maximum Capacity is above 80% and Condition says Normal, your battery is still healthy. Some people replace batteries at 85% capacity just to avoid problems later, but there's no hard rule — it depends on how often you use your phone and whether the battery drains quickly during the day.

Getting a replacement at an Apple Store

Go to apple.com/repair or call your nearest Apple Store to book an appointment. Tell them you need a battery replacement. Bring your iPhone and a form of ID. The store will confirm the battery needs replacement by checking Battery Health themselves, then replace it while you wait or schedule a time for you to pick it up.

The cost is usually $69 for iPhone 14 and newer, $55 for iPhone 11 through 13, and varies for older models. If you have AppleCare+, the replacement is free. If your phone is still under the one-year limited warranty and the battery has degraded due to a defect (not normal wear), Apple may replace it at no cost, though this is rare. The whole process takes about an hour.

Using an authorized repair shop

If there's no Apple Store near you, you can visit an authorized Apple repair provider. These include Best Buy, Walmart, and independent shops certified by Apple. Search for "Apple authorized service provider near me" to find one. The cost is the same as Apple Stores, and the process is identical — they'll check your battery, confirm it needs replacement, and install a new one.

Authorized shops sometimes have shorter wait times than Apple Stores, especially in smaller cities. Call ahead to confirm they have your iPhone model in stock and can do the replacement the same day, since some locations order parts and may take longer.

Replacing the battery yourself

If you want to do this yourself, you'll need a battery kit. iFixit sells kits that include the replacement battery, adhesive strips, and the tools you need — usually a pentalobe screwdriver, spudger, and tweezers. Amazon also sells generic kits, though quality varies. Kits cost between $20 and $40 depending on your iPhone model.

The process is the same for most iPhones: power off the phone, remove the two screws at the bottom, heat the edges with a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the adhesive, pry open the screen, disconnect the battery connector, peel off the old battery, install the new one, reconnect the battery, and seal the screen back down with new adhesive. iFixit provides step-by-step guides with photos for each model. The first time takes two to three hours; if you've done it before, it takes about an hour.

The main risks are cracking the screen while opening the phone, damaging the battery connector, or not sealing the phone properly afterward, which can let dust inside. If any of these happen, you'll need to pay for additional repairs. For this reason, self-replacement makes sense only if you're comfortable with the risk or have done similar repairs before.

What to do with your old battery

Don't throw the old battery in the trash. Lithium batteries can catch fire in landfills and are toxic. Apple Stores will take your old battery for free and recycle it. If you replaced the battery yourself, take it to a Best Buy or other electronics retailer that has a battery recycling program — most do, and it's free.

You can also search for a local e-waste recycling center on Earth911.com by entering your zip code. Most centers accept lithium batteries at no charge. Proper recycling keeps toxic materials out of landfills and recovers materials like cobalt and nickel that can be reused in new batteries.

When to replace the battery versus buying a new phone

A battery replacement costs $50 to $80 and extends your phone's life by several years. A new iPhone costs $800 and up. If your phone is three years old or less and otherwise works well, battery replacement is almost always worth it. If your phone is five years old or older, consider whether you want to keep using that model or upgrade — the decision depends on your budget and whether the phone still meets your needs.

If your phone has other problems beyond the battery — a cracked screen, water damage, or a broken home button — factor in the cost of those repairs too. Sometimes the total cost of repairs approaches the cost of a used phone of the same model in good condition, which might be a better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a new iPhone battery last?

Apple designs iPhone batteries to retain 80% of their capacity after 500 full charge cycles. In real use, this usually means two to three years before you notice the battery draining faster than it used to. After that, the battery continues to work but degrades gradually.

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

Yes, but it's risky. If you follow the iFixit guide carefully and take your time, most people can do it without damage. The biggest risk is cracking the screen while opening the phone. If you're not comfortable with that risk, paying for a professional replacement is worth the cost.

Will replacing the battery void my warranty?

If Apple or an authorized shop does the replacement, your warranty stays intact. If you replace it yourself, you void the warranty on that component, though the rest of your phone is still covered. If something else breaks later, Apple will still repair it, but they won't cover battery-related issues.

Is it cheaper to replace the battery or buy a refurbished phone?

Battery replacement is almost always cheaper. A refurbished iPhone of the same model costs $300 to $500, while a battery replacement costs $50 to $80. Unless your phone has other serious problems, replacing the battery is the better deal.

Do third-party batteries work as well as Apple batteries?

Apple batteries are designed specifically for your iPhone model and go through quality testing. Third-party batteries vary widely — some work well, others degrade faster or don't hold a full charge. If you use a third-party battery installed by an unauthorized shop, you lose warranty coverage on the battery itself. For this reason, most people choose Apple batteries when paying for professional replacement.