Phone Battery Replacement Basics

A phone battery is the part most likely to be replaced during a phone’s life, and the one where a mistake carries the most risk. This page explains why batteries wear out, what the job involves at a high level, what the makers say about service and parts, and how to handle and dispose of lithium batteries safely. It is not a repair manual; the makers and iFixit publish those, and we link to them.

Why do phone batteries need replacing?

Phone batteries wear out because every rechargeable battery is a consumable. Apple’s genuine battery page says all rechargeable batteries are consumables with a limited lifespan, so eventually their capacity and performance decline until they need to be replaced, and that iPhone uses built-in lithium-ion batteries. Apple’s battery service page adds that its warranty does not cover batteries that wear down from normal use.

iFixit builds the same idea into its scoring. Its scoring explainer says consumables like batteries, where replacement is inevitable and the device will not work without them, are weighted more heavily than parts such as mechanical buttons. How easy a battery is to reach is therefore a large part of a phone’s score; see how to read repairability scores.

What does a battery replacement involve?

At a high level, the job means opening the phone, disconnecting and removing the old battery, fitting a battery made for that model, and closing the phone back up. The built-in design is what makes it a real repair rather than a swap. Apple describes iPhone batteries as built in, and iFixit’s phone listings repeatedly mention adhesives, the number of screw types and whether the back opens without heat as factors that decide how hard the job is. For example, iFixit’s listing says an electrically releasing adhesive streamlines battery replacement on the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16e and iPhone Air.

We do not reproduce steps. For your model, use the maker’s manual or iFixit’s guide, and treat the manual as the authority on safe handling. After the physical work, some phones need software steps: Apple’s Self Service Repair page says its Repair Assistant and System Configuration tools finish repairs when the manual recommends them.

Where can I get a phone battery replaced?

You can get a battery replaced through the maker, an authorized or independent shop, or a self-repair program. What each maker says on its own pages:

Apple’s service page does not publish a flat price. It shows an estimator and says the fee depends on inspection. It also says Apple Authorized Service Providers can set their own fees. For current estimates, use the maker’s page rather than a number on ours. Apple’s AppleCare section says that under AppleCare it will replace the battery for no extra charge if the capacity drops below 80%; that is a plan benefit, not a general rule.

What are the risks of a nongenuine battery?

Apple says a nongenuine replacement battery might be poorly designed or manufactured, previously used, damaged, or the wrong battery for your model. It says those problems could cause low capacity, improper fit, performance issues, unexpected behavior after installation, software updates or charging, and safety issues. Apple also says genuine batteries are designed to work with iOS to report charge levels and battery health, so an unverified battery can make battery health information inaccurate.

Apple’s Parts and Service History page explains how an iPhone labels a replaced part.

Apple says an Unknown part might affect trade-in value, and that these messages do not affect your ability to use your iPhone unless stated. Other makers have their own rules; check the maker’s page for your phone.

How do I handle and dispose of a lithium battery safely?

Treat a lithium-ion battery as a sensitive component that can fail violently if it is damaged. The FAA says all lithium-ion batteries can overheat and undergo thermal runaway, which can occur without warning if a battery is damaged, overheated, exposed to water, overcharged or improperly packed, or on its own because of manufacturing defects. Apple says to avoid damage that could cause overheating, fire or injury, only a trained technician should replace an iPhone battery. Samsung’s self-repair precautions tell owners to stop using a product that emits smoke or smells of burning and contact Samsung.

Disposal matters just as much. The US EPA says lithium-ion batteries and devices containing them should not go in household garbage or recycling bins, because they can be crushed and cause fires. It says to take them to certified electronics recyclers, takeback programs or household hazardous waste collection, to tape the terminals or bag each battery separately, and to contact the maker if a battery is damaged. The FAA adds that damaged or recalled batteries and devices likely to create sparks or dangerous heat must not be carried aboard an aircraft unless the battery has been removed or made safe.

Which phones in our library have iFixit battery guides?

Ten of the 41 phones in our library have an iFixit battery guide link: nine iPhones and the Galaxy S25 Ultra. None of the Google or Motorola phones has one recorded. Counts reflect only guides we opened and checked, not every guide iFixit has.

Source: guide links recorded on our phone pages from iFixit’s device pages.

When should I use a professional?

Use a professional if you are not experienced, if the battery looks damaged, or if the phone is under warranty. Apple says a professional repair provider with certified technicians using genuine Apple parts is, for most customers, the safest and most reliable way to get a repair. Samsung says to call a qualified technician or Samsung support if you have any doubts about the safety of a repair, and Google recommends self-repair only for people with relevant technical experience. Google also warns that without relevant skills you might get hurt or break your device.

Related

Screen replacement basics, repairability scores, the repair hub, power banks, and which charger is safe for my phone.