How To Remove Iphone Battery Without Damaging It

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With millions of us owning iPhones, you would think removing one of their batteries would be common knowledge but it isn't.

Ask the majority of iPhone users and they will stare back at you with a look of glazed bewilderment. "You can remove the battery from an iPhone?"

Yes, it is possible but it can differ from one model to the next.

Although iPhones are state-of-the-art pieces of technology, their lithium-ion batteries do not last forever.

As with any technology (and living organism), as it ages, an iPhone's efficiency and power can decline, especially its battery life.

Some signs of this can be unexpected shutdowns and/or a slow device.

Apple has tried to tackle this issue with a new 'Battery Health' option in the Settings.

Nevertheless, if your battery has reached a grand old age or is performing below peak capacity, you should consider replacing it.

There are a few options available before you go down the DIY route but, as we mentioned, not all iPhone batteries can be removed in the same way.

The process for removing iPhone batteries is similar with each model but you will have to use different tools for some.

This is due to slightly different arrangements with the phone's arrangements.

Read on as we guide you through some of the best ways to remove lithium-ion batteries from an iPhone.

Just a few factors to point out at first - ensure the battery is charged at 25% or less before removing.

If not, there is a greater risk of the battery exploding or catching fire.

If you're ready, let's discover how to replace an iPhone's battery.

Tools Required

iPhone screen repair replacement process — Editorial credit: KlavdiyaV / Shutterstock.com

Before we begin, you need to gather a few tools, depending on the iPhone model, if you're removing the battery at home. Here's what you need:

A heat gun or hair dryer
A suction cup
A spudger
A Pentalobe screwdriver
A Pentalobe P2 screwdriver
A Philips #000 screwdriver
A tri-point Y000 screwdriver

If you have the tools, let's begin by looking at the iPhone 7 and newer models!

iPhone 7 And Newer Models

As you can probably guess, removing the battery from an iPhone is not a straightforward task.

But, with the right tools, some patience, and steady hands, it is completely doable. You just have to be very careful as to not damage the phone.

Here's how to remove the battery from iPhone 7s and new models:

Turn off your iPhone.
Warm up the bottom section of the case with a hairdryer or heat gun for about a minute. Make sure the device is on a medium setting and then move it around over the case.
Fix your suction cup to the phone's screen. Now, gently slide the spudger across the edge of the screen but do not lift the screen yet.
Once you gently scrape the edge of the screen, attempt to lift it a little. Only lift a few centimeters at a time and keep an eye out for wires as these can easily break.
Keep the screen lifted as far as you need. This should be no more than 90 degrees. Remove the four tri-point screws from the phone's lower bracket by looking for a connecting ribbon. Take this display bracket out.
Look for a perpendicular plastic strip. This is the battery connector. Now, remove it and press and hold the phone's power button for 5 to 15 seconds. This should drain any leftover power in the system that could cause an electrical short.
Remove the second plastic strip and gray strip from underneath that.
Unscrew the smallest tri-point screws that hold the bracket covering the second display ribbon. Now, remove this bracket.
Take away the other connector (this is a plastic strip).
Using the spudger, try to pry up the connector and then remove it.
Look for the black bracket located in the bottom-left corner of the iPhone. This is the barometric vent. Remove the screws from here.
Remove the vent to find the Taptic Engine connector.
Try and pry up the black plastic connector before removing this as well.
Take out the screws and remove the Taptic Engine.
You should see adhesive strips that cover the battery. Peel these strips back carefully. Again, you may need to use your heating device to warm up the adhesive to remove it easily.
Now, remove the battery slowly.

Each step should be done slowly and extremely carefully. Ensure you do not wrinkle or tear the three strips that hold the battery either.

If the strips seem somewhat stuck, simply warm up to make them looser.

iPhone 6 Series

The iPhone 6 series (6, 6 Plus, 6S, and 6S Plus) requires different tools.

For the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, you will need a Pentalobe P2 screwdriver with 3.6mm heads whereas the 6S and 6S Plus require 3.4 mm heads.

Here's what you need to do:

Turn your iPhone off.
Remove the screws located next to the lighting port.
Using your suction cup, place it on the left lower corner of the iPhone's screen.
Lift the screen but continue to hold the case.
Use the spudger again to pry open the case. Lift the display to more than a 90 degrees angle.
Find the battery connector bracket. This is covered with a rectangular metal component that sports two screws.
Use your #000 Phillips screwdriver and remove the screws.
Pry up the connector.
Now, remove the screws to take away the cable bracket (five screws on 6, 6 Plus, and 6S Plus - four screws on 6S).
Next, disconnect the camera cable. This is a large cable that leads to the iPhone's display.
Take out the remaining connectors.
Isolate the screen from the case.
Peel off the adhesive strips found on the bottom of the battery.
Take out the battery slowly and carefully.

You can find out more information about iPhone battery replacement and power repair by clicking here.

In Summary

Whether you own an older iPhone or a newer model, the removal of its battery is quite similar.

Yes, you may need a few different tools for certain screws but the guidelines above will always apply.

Just never force any step. By forcing the screen out, you could break the case, cables, or connectors rendering your iPhone useless and unrepairable.

To find out where the battery is, you can also use a manual to guide you. Just take each step slowly so you do not damage your iPhone.

If the DIY method seems a little too risky or complicated, we advise taking your iPhone to an Apple store or mail it to an Apple Repair Center for peace of mind.