If you keep your iPhone long enough, you’re going to need to replace the battery. But there’s no need to be intimidated: There are several ways to go about it.
In this article, I’m going to show you how to get a replacement battery for your iPhone.
Table of Contents:
- How Much Does It Cost To Replace an iPhone Battery?
- When To Replace an iPhone Battery
- How To Replace Your iPhone Battery
Can You Replace an iPhone Battery? Read This
iPhone batteries became front and center a few years ago when Apple was involved in quite the controversy after users complained that their devices were being throttled whenever new updates were introduced.
To quell the firestorm, Apple gave customers a temporary $50 discount on battery replacements and settled a class-action lawsuit. The company also introduced an iPhone feature that tells you how your battery is holding up (more on that later).
How Much Does It Cost To Replace an iPhone Battery?
You may be wondering how much it costs to replace an iPhone battery. Here are your options:
Battery Replacement May Be Free
Your iPhone’s battery replacement may be free if your circumstances fit any of the following three scenarios:
- If your device is still under Apple’s one-year warranty
- If you have AppleCare+
- If the consumer laws in the country you live cover it.
If Not, Here’s How Much It Costs
Now let’s get into pricing options for iPhone battery replacement. Please keep in mind that these prices apply only to battery replacement handled by Apple. Pricing may differ if you use a third party.
Prices don’t include the $6.95 shipping fee that Apple will tack on if your repair requires shipping and isn’t covered by AppleCare+.
| iPhone Model | With Warranty or AppleCare+ | Out of Warranty |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini | $0 | $69 |
| iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and all other eligible models | $0 | $ 49 |
When To Replace an iPhone Battery
Given that it may cost you some cash to replace your iPhone’s battery, it’s in your best interest to know when you need to do it.
Due to the earlier fuss over throttling, Apple makes it easy to find out when it’s time to replace your iPhone’s battery. Go to Settings>Battery. There you will see bar graphs that show your charge levels over the last 24 hours. Toggle to see over a 10-day period. Check out the screenshots below.
If you scroll down, you can see which apps are pulling down your battery. On my device, you can see that it’s YouTube (below).
Still in Settings, tap on Battery Health to see what your device’s Maximum Capacity is and whether it is supporting Peak Performance Capacity.
If your battery is doing great, under Peak Performance Capacity it will read:
Your battery is currently supporting normal peak performance.
If your battery is on its way out, you’ll see a note like this:
Your battery’s health is significantly degraded. An Apple Authorized Service Provider can replace the battery to restore full performance and capacity.
If your battery continues to deteriorate, it may start to shut down from time to time. That’s when you may see a message on this Settings page that says:
This iPhone has experienced an unexpected shutdown because the battery was unable to deliver the necessary peak power. Performance management has been applied to help prevent this from happening again. Disable…
That’s when Apple will automatically apply “Performance Management” i.e., throttling, to your phone. Because of the frequent slowdowns, you may choose to replace your iPhone’s battery.
How To Replace Your iPhone Battery
When it comes to replacing your iPhone battery, you have three options to choose from:
- Go through Apple.
- Go through a third party.
- Do it yourself.
Go Through Apple
Start the process of replacing your battery through Apple here at getsupport.apple.com/solutions/.
You’ll need to sign in with your Apple ID to get help to either bring your device in for repair or send it in for repair.
Go Through a Third Party
You can also opt to let an Apple Authorized Service Provider replace your battery for you. To find one near you, click here.
Do it Yourself
If you’re technologically savvy, you may decide to replace your battery yourself. For those confident enough to do it, there are online tutorials.
If you do choose to go the DIY route, iFixit has iPhone Battery Kits from $16.99 to $44.99 depending on which model of phone you have.
Walmart and Amazon have DIY iPhone battery replacement kits. Again, before you purchase, make sure you get the right one for your specific iPhone model.
Final Thoughts
Like many electronic devices, iPhones eventually need repair and/or a parts replacement. If you choose to get your iPhone battery replaced with Apple or a third party, be prepared to go without your device for a period of time.
You may be able to save yourself some time — and frustration — by calling ahead and finding out the particular location’s inventory.
