How To Remove the iPhone Battery

Not all iPhone batteries can be removed in the same way. The process is very similar, but you’ll have to use different tools depending on the model. Also, note that different models will have slightly different component arrangements.

Check out how to remove the battery from the iPhone 7 and above, as well as the slightly older iPhone 6 series smartphones to get an idea of how things may differ from one model to another. If you learn how to remove it from one iPhone, you will likely know how to handle a newer version too.

Getting Started Replacing an iPhone Battery

Before you attempt to remove the battery from your iPhone, make sure that its charge is 25% or less. Otherwise, your phone’s battery is a greater risk of catching fire or exploding if accidently punctured. Tools can slip, so play it safe and drain the battery if needed.

Tools Needed to Replace an iPhone Battery

If you opt to do this at home, you’ll need the following tools:

1. Suction cup
2. Heat gun, Hair dryer, or iOpener (Optional but recommended)
3. Spudger
4. Pentalobe P2 screwdriver
   
   
5. Philips #000 screwdriver
6. Tri-point Y000 screwdriver

Although the list of tools seems scary, the process itself isn’t if you approach it with caution.

Tips to Prevent Damaging Your Phone

• Lay the screws out in a coherent pattern based upon how you remove them, i.e. top right screw of a bracket is placed on a mat, etc. in the same position. Putting screws in the wrong place can destroy a motherboard, you’ve got to love Apple design.
• When in doubt, leave the screw out. As mentioned above, the screws must go back in their original position or you risk phone damage.
• Remember to drain the phone by pressing and holding the phone’s power button after disconnecting the battery cable. You can short out chips, etc. by not draining the residual power in a phone before disconnecting other cables aside from the battery cable.
• Wear gloves and ground yourself and the iPhone before attempting to work on it. They sell ESD mats and bracelets that prevent the charge difference between surfaces from frying sensitive electronics, it’s well worth the investment.
• Don’t do the repair if you’re in contact with carpet flooring and other materials that transfer static well. Use a plastic mat or put on rubber soled shoes to prevent ESD from transferring as much.

Removing the Battery: iPhone 7 and Newer

Relative to a removing batteries from a basic TV or streaming device remote, removing a battery from an iPhone may not be such an easy task for you. It is doable at home with the right tools and steady hands, but there is still a risk of damaging your phone. Removing the battery will void your warranty, so it’s always best to have it done at a licensed Apple Store.

1. Start by turning off your iPhone and then warm up the bottom section of the case with a heat gun, hair dryer, or iOpener for about a minute, use a medium setting for the hair dryer or heat gun and move it around.
2. Now, fix the suction cup to the screen and gently slide the a spudger along the edge of the screen. Do not try to lift the screen just yet.
3. Dual-sided adhesive strips are used to seal the screen, so after gently scraping the edge of the screen, attempt to lift it slightly. Make sure to lift only a few centimeters at a time and look for wires that could accidently be ripped.
4. Next, keep the screen lifted only as far as you need, no more than 90 degrees, and remove the four tri-point screws from the lower bracket display (look for a connecting ribbon)
5. Take out the display bracket.
6. Remove the battery connector (the perpendicular plastic strip) and then press and hold the power button for about 5-15 seconds. This will drain any residual power in the system that could cause a short, etc.
7. Detach the other plastic strip and the gray strip underneath it.
8. Unscrew the smaller tri-point screws holding the bracket over the second display ribbon.
9. Remove the bracket.
10. Remove the black plastic strip (the other connector).
11. Pry up the connector with the spudger and remove it.
12. Remove screws from the barometric vent (black bracket in the bottom-left corner).
13. Remove the barometric vent to uncover the Taptic Engine connector.
14. Pry up the black plastic connector and remove it.
15. Remove the screws and remove the Taptic Engine from the case.
16. Peel back the adhesive strips covering the battery (you may need to warm up the adhesive).
17. Remove the battery.

Remember to be very careful while doing this. Everything from lifting connectors to peeling strips should be done slowly. When removing the three strips holding the battery, you shouldn’t risk tearing or wrinkling. Go slow and try warming up the adhesive if you feel too much feedback.

Removing the Battery: iPhone 6 Series

The iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, and 6S Plus will require different screwdrivers. Have Pentalobe P2 screwdrivers on hand with 3.6mm heads for the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus and 3.4mm heads for the 6S and 6S Plus phones.

You’ll also need a suction cup and a spudger to lift the screen and deal with other small components.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Turn off your iPhone and remove the screws next to the lightning port.
2. Use the suction cup on the lower-left corner of the screen.
3. Lift the screen while holding down the case.
4. Pry open the case with the spudger and lift the display to a 90-degree angle.
5. Look for the battery connector bracket (it’s covered by a rectangular metal piece with two screws).
6. Use a #000 Philips screwdriver to take out the screws.
7. Pry up the connector off the logic board.
8. Remove the cable bracket by removing the screws first (five screws on the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, and 6S Plus, and four screws on the iPhone 6S).
9. Disconnect the camera cable (a large connector with a cable that leads to the display).
10. Remove remaining connectors.
11. Separate the screen from the rest of the case.
12. Peel off the adhesive strips from the bottom of the battery.
13. Pry out the battery.

Words of Caution

As you can see, whether you have an older iPhone or a new one, the process of removing the battery is very similar. You may need different tools to handle the various screws and connectors, but a few general guidelines always apply.

Never force-pull the screen because you may risk breaking the case, the cables, or connectors, which may render your iPhone useless. If the adhesive presents a problem, use a hair drier from a distance to warm it up.

Always separate all connectors between the display and the screen to separate the case. Uncover the battery by unscrewing the connectors and brackets on top of it. Use a manual to find out exactly where the battery is on your iPhone model.

Go as slow as you can in each step, especially when prying up connectors and removing the battery. Damaging the battery could release hazardous chemicals, not to mention damaging your phone. Remember, if you need your battery removed or changed, it is always best to take your phone to an Apple Store or mail it to an Apple Repair Center.

iPhone Batteries

Depending on your skill level, the $29+ for a new battery might be worth the investment. If you’re comfortable with working on electronics, then go for it, but, if you need your device fully functional and aren’t too tech-savvy, then take it to a reputable, certified repair shop.