Is iPhone or iPod Battery Replacement Worth It?

An iPhone or iPod can last many years if you take care of it, but there’s a downside to that long life: You will need to consider a battery replacement. In this article, we'll help you decide whether doing this maintenance is worth it.

Does Your Device Need a New Battery?

An often-used mobile device can show decreased battery life after 18-24 months. If you’ve had your iPhone or iPod for two years or more, you’ve probably noticed that the battery holds less juice and that you need to recharge more often.

You don’t need to replace the battery as soon as those signs appear, but the problem won't fix itself. And if you’re still satisfied with everything else, you might prefer to replace the battery rather than buy a whole new device.

The problem is that the battery on these devices is not (easily) replaceable by users because the casings are difficult to get into, and the batteries can be hard to access.

iPhone & iPod Battery Replacement Options

It's not impossible to replace an iPhone battery yourself, but that's not your only course of action. Here are your options:

Apple

Apple offers a battery replacement program for in- and out-of-warranty devices through its retail stores and website. There are some conditions, but many older models should qualify. If you’ve got an Apple Store nearby, stop in and discuss your options. Otherwise, there’s good information on Apple’s website about iPhone and iPod repair.

Apple Authorized Service Providers

Apple isn’t the only company that can provide repairs. There’s also a network of authorized service providers whose staff has been trained and certified by Apple. When you get a repair from these stores, you can be sure that you’re getting good, knowledgeable help and that your warranty (if active) will remain in place.

Other Repair Shops

Many websites, stores, and mall kiosks offer iPhone and iPod battery replacement services, often at lower prices than Apple’s. Be wary of these options. Unless they’re authorized by Apple, their staff may not be experts, and they could accidentally damage your device.

Do it Yourself

If you’re handy, you can replace your device’s battery yourself, although doing so will void your warranty, and Apple won’t help you if there are problems. You should first try troubleshooting to stop your battery from draining too quickly. You can also try recalibrating the battery to ensure the percentage is accurate.

Otherwise, your favorite search engine can supply you with companies that sell the tools and batteries you need (we recommend iFixit as an excellent resource for tools, parts, and detailed instructions).

Ensure you’ve ​synced your device to a computer before you back up all your data and know what you’re doing. Otherwise, you could end up with a dead device.

iPhone & iPod Battery Replacement Prices 

Prices will vary depending on where – or if – you take your device for service. Generally, here's how it breaks down:

Apple charges $0 for devices under warranty or AppleCare+. Out, of warranty, repairs start between $70 and $100. You can get up-to-date pricing information on Apple's iPhone and iPod service pages.

Authorized service providers charge similarly to Apple, provided you schedule an appointment through Apple Support. You may find an authorized provider who can fix a device other than the ones Apple currently lists (i.e., Apple generally supports iPhones for 10 years), but those repairs will likely be more expensive.

Doing it yourself is often the cheapest option, since you're only paying for parts and not labor. You can find a battery and all the tools you need for less than the service cost (we've seen these kits for as low as $25). You may also have access to older parts; just keep in mind that if you break your device while doing a self-repair, you're on your own.

Is Replacing an iPhone or iPod Battery Worth It?

Replacing the dead or dying battery in your iPhone or iPod is probably a good idea, but we recommend thinking about the issue this way:

• Is your iPhone still under warranty? Then yes, definitely replace the battery. With the warranty, the repair should be free or low cost. 
• If it's recently out of warranty and still working well for your needs, it probably makes sense to replace the battery.
• If it's out of warranty and old enough that parts aren't readily available, it doesn't make sense to replace the battery.

In the last case, you need to weigh the cost of replacing the battery against the price of a new device. If your iPhone or iPod works well enough for your purposes, you might as well keep using it. But if a new one has better features, it's probably worth the upgrade.

How to Make Your iPhone or iPod Battery Last Longer

You can avoid needing battery replacement as long as possible by taking good care of your battery. Apple suggests doing the following things to give your battery the longest potential lifespan: 

• Keep your device in a cool area: iPhones and iPods function best when used in an ambient temperature between 32 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit (0-35 C). Operating the device outside of these temperatures can permanently damage the battery. You don't want to charge your device if the ambient temperature is above 95 degrees, which can also damage the battery.
• Remove cases before charging: Some protective cases can cause your device to get too hot while charging. Taking off the case can help them stay cool while getting power.
• Charge the battery before long-term storage: If you plan not to use your iPhone or iPod for a long time, charge its battery to 50% and then turn it off. If you store it for long periods, charge it to 50% every six months.