Thinking about an iPhone Battery Replacement? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

We’ve all been there: begging for a charger around the office before lunchtime. Willing your smartphone battery to just make it past your journey home. The reality of iPhones is, as they age, the battery health seems to plummet. This can lead to shorter battery life, reduced efficiency and unexpected shutdowns.

What are your options when your iPhone battery health is showing signs of decline? Whether you’re considering an upgrade to a brand new phone, taking your iPhone to a professional repair service, or replacing the battery yourself – discover exactly what each option entails, and the costs involved.

Signs You Need an iPhone Battery Replacement

You can check your iPhone battery health in iOS settings. To do this, go to ‘Settings’, then ‘Battery’. Tap ‘Battery Health & Charging’. Your iPhone will display information on your battery’s capacity, performance, and whether Apple suggests your battery needs a service.

Are there other ways to tell if it’s time for an iPhone battery replacement? You bet. Look out for:

• The phone gets very hot while charging or in use
• It charges very slowly (or not at all)
• Sudden or random shutting down, even when the battery life shows as full or half-full
• The battery seems to drain very quickly
• Your phone’s performance is slow
• The battery percentage fluctuates
• Your iPhone battery is swollen

Signs of a swollen battery include separation between the screen and phone body, a hazy white screen or movement in the screen. A swollen battery can damage the phone and be dangerous – in extreme cases they can even catch fire.

If you think your iPhone battery could be swollen, it’s best to get it sorted straight away:

1. Stop using it immediately
2. Don’t charge it
3. Take it to an Apple Store or certified provider

How Much Does an iPhone Battery Replacement Cost?

Apple’s iPhone Battery Replacement Services
If you have AppleCare+ and your iPhone battery holds less than 80 percent of its original capacity, Apple will replace it with no extra charge. If you don’t have AppleCare+, you can choose to pay for a service or replacement via an Apple Store. This ranges from £109-£95 for an iPhone16, to £65 for an iPhoneSE. Don’t have a credit card? You can top up your Apple account with an Apple Gift Card.

Top up your Apple account

To book a replacement through an Apple Store or an authorised service provider, head to Apple’s solutions page. Sign in with your Apple ID, then choose to either schedule a repair or send your phone in.

Doing Your iPhone Battery Replacement Yourself
If you’re experienced with electronics, you could try replacing your iPhone battery yourself. This can be cost-efficient as you save money on labour. But be cautious – iPhone devices are delicate, meaning there’s risk of damage. This includes:

• Battery Health Reporting: If you don’t install the battery properly, this feature might report incorrect health statistics or fail to recognise the new battery
• Battery Calibration: The new battery may not calibrate properly with the phone's system. You might get inaccurate battery percentage readings or the phone might think the battery is empty when it's not
• Software Restrictions (iOS Updates): If you're using a third-party battery, you could encounter issues with iOS updates. Apple’s software checks can recognise non-authentic parts and might restrict certain features
• Other Issues: Merely opening the phone can affect connections to other internal components, like the touch screen. It may lose responsiveness or glitch. If you don’t properly reseal the phone, it will affect water resistance, too

Still want to do your own iPhone battery replacement? Make sure you:

1. Read the manual for your model so you know exactly what parts and tools you need
2. Buy the parts and tools. Use a reputable seller or – ideally – Apple’s Self Service Repair option. This gives you access to genuine parts and tools
3. Follow the instructions in your manual to repair your device
4. Make sure you safely dispose of your old battery. If you’ve used Apple’s Self Service option you can return the parts you replaced to recycle them responsibly. You might even receive a credit for doing this

As for what tools you need? These vary, so it’s best to check the individual repair manual for your iPhone model.

Third-Party Repair Shops
If you need an iPhone battery replacement you could also use a third-party repair service. Certain repair shops and services are certified by Apple, meaning they can replace your iPhone battery without voiding any warranties or risking any issues due to low-quality parts. If you can’t find an authorised third party repair service, take your device somewhere reputable. Do your research, and look out for the following:

• Do they offer genuine branded replacements?
• Does the service offer any warranty or guarantees?
• Do they have good reviews?

In most cases, the upfront costs of using a third-party service works out cheaper than using Apple’s official service. The most you’ll pay at a reputable third-party provider is approximately £50 for an iPhone battery replacement. It could be less, depending on your iPhone model.

Is It Better to Upgrade Your iPhone or Opt For a Battery Replacement?

There are a few things to consider before choosing between an iPhone battery replacement and upgrading to a new device.

When to replace your iPhone battery

• If your device is quite new and is still working well
• If you’re environmentally conscious, it’s more sustainable to extend the life of your current iPhone
• If you’d rather not bother transferring your information over to a new device

When to upgrade your iPhone

• If you have an older device, it might make sense to invest in a newer iPhone. Especially if your screen or camera are damaged in any way
• If you want more than a battery upgrade. With a newer iPhone you’ll likely improve your camera, software, processing power, connectivity and display – plus you’ll have a 12-month warranty and access to AppleCare+

If it’s time for a device upgrade, there are still ways you can save money. Trade in your old device with Apple to get credit toward your new device. Or send it to a company that offers cash in exchange for recycling smartphones.

You could also buy a second-hand, refurbished iPhone instead of opting for a brand new one. And, instead of committing to an expensive contract, it might be worth choosing a prepaid SIM card for more flexibility and control. There’s no credit check, you can avoid accidental roaming charges, and it’s easy to top up whenever you need using services like Mobile Top Up.

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