The iPhone may look impenetrable, but there are only a few screws that need to be removed in order to get the battery out, and anyone that can wield a screwdriver should be able to complete the job in less than ten minutes. Genuine Apple replacement batteries are freely available via eBay for £10-15, but make sure you order the correct model for your phone. Here are the part numbers you need for the various iPhones:
iPhone 4: 616-0520 or 616-0513iPhone 4S: 616-0580iPhone 5: 616-0613iPhone 5C: 616-0667iPhone 5S: 616-0728
As well as a battery, you will need a toolkit including a standard Philips 00 screwdriver, a plastic pry tool and a suction cup. The only specialist tool is a screwdriver for undoing the proprietary Pentalobe screws in the bottom of the iPhone. Such toolkits are cheap and readily available, but it might save money to buy a battery which comes with the necessary tools.
How to replace the battery in an iPhone 5 (plus 5C or 5S)
Step 1. Turn off your phone by holding down the power button, then sliding the on-screen button to the right. Step 2. Use your Pentalobe screwdriver to remove the two screws on the bottom edge of your iPhone. Keep all screws somewhere safe, as they’re extremely easy to lose if left loose on your work area.
Step 3. Using the suction cup, apply strong (but not sudden) force just above the home button, or to either side of it. You need to open up a small gap so you can begin to pry the screen open. NOTE: if you have an iPhone 5S be extremely careful at this stage. The TouchID cable connects to the bottom half of the phone and is easily damaged if you pull the screen up too far.
Step 4. Using the pry tool, work your way from the bottom to the middle of each side to release the clips holding the screen to the phone.
Step 5: You can replace the battery without disconnecting the screen from the phone, but you’ll have to hold it carefully at 90 degrees throughout. If you do want to remove the screen, use your Philips 00 screwdriver to remove the metal plate securing the screen’s cables to the phone. Then, carefully pry up each connector and remove the screen.
Step 6: Remove the two screws from the metal plate which secures the battery contacts to the motherboard. Each model differs slightly, but they are in the same positions as shown on our iPhone 5 here. The plate remained stuck to the battery connector when we swapped our battery, but it’s easy to pry off.
Step 7: Try pulling on the plastic battery release tab to unstick the battery from the case. Usually this will not work as the glue is too sticky. Again, constant pressure is the key, and you should hear the battery slowly unsticking. Our preferred method is to use the pry tool very carefully against the motherboard to ease it up, but there is a risk you could damage a component on the board, so don’t apply too much pressure.
Step 8: With the battery out, carefully align the new one, ensuring the cable is routed and bent so the connector is lined up with the motherboard. Gently press it into place and screw the metal plate down to secure it. Step 9: If you removed the screen entirely, reconnect the cables – they should positively click back into place – and then replace the metal plate, inserting the lugs first. Step 10: Hook the top edge of the screen into the body of the iPhone and make sure it isn’t protruding by more than half a millimetre. If it is, you haven’t seated it properly. Then, gently press the screen down working your way from the top to the bottom. The clips should click into place and you should have no resistance when replacing the two Pentalobe screws. Step 11: If your phone won’t turn on, don’t panic: it’s likely the battery was sent fully discharged for safety, so connect your charger and wait for the phone to turn on.
How to replace the battery in an iPhone 4 or 4S
The only other thing you’ll need is a screwdriver. Some iPhone 4 models have standard Philips 00 screws, so a Philips 00 screwdriver is all you’ll need. If you find your iPhone has five-pointed star screws, you’ll need to buy a ‘Pentalobe’ screwdriver – again, these are cheapest from eBay – to remove them.
Turn your phone off by holding the power button for a few seconds until the red slider appears. Slide it to power the phone off.
Use your Philips 00 or Pentalobe screwdriver to remove the two screws on the bottom edge of your iPhone. Keep them somewhere safe, as they’re extremely easy to lose.
Slide the rear cover upwards by a few millimetres and lift it off. If it’s stuck press the palm of your hand against the entire back panel to get the maximum friction.
Remove the single Philips screw which secures the battery connector to the motherboard. If you have a 4S (shown below), there are two screws which need to be removed.
Use a plastic pry tool to carefully lift the connector up from the top and bottom edges. Note that on the iPhone 4 there’s a black contact clip below the connector which the screw threads through. You can carefully remove this or leave it in place. Take note of how it fits, so you can replace it if it falls out.
Use the clear plastic tab to pull the battery up and out of the phone. The battery is glued into place, and will require considerable force on the tab to lift it. Pull the tab with progressively more force, and use a pry tool carefully against the motherboard if necessary to help release it.
Before fitting the new battery, make sure the contact clip is properly positioned. The iPhone 4 clip is shown below, and fits in this orientation. Press the battery connector into place, and tighten the screw to secure it.
Replace the rear cover and two screws to secure it in place. Connect your mains charger to initially charge the new battery. Jim has been testing and reviewing products for over 20 years. His main beats include VPN services and antivirus. He also covers smart home tech, mesh Wi-Fi and electric bikes.
