You’re staring at your iPhone. It’s dying at 20 percent. Or maybe the screen is bulging because the lithium-ion cell inside decided to turn into a spicy pillow. You want to fix it. Honestly, learning how to take a iPhone battery out is basically a rite of passage for the DIY crowd, but it’s also a fantastic way to turn a $1,000 smartphone into a very expensive paperweight if you rush it. Apple doesn't make this easy. They use pentalobe screws, proprietary adhesive, and tiny ribbon cables that are thinner than a human hair.
It’s tricky.
Modern iPhones aren't like the old Nokia bricks where you just popped the back cover with a thumbnail. Since the iPhone 5s, and especially after the iPhone 12, Apple has shifted toward a "repair-unfriendly" design that requires heat, suction, and a fair bit of patience. If you’re here because you think you can just pry it out with a kitchen knife, please stop. Put the knife down. You’ll puncture the battery, and lithium fires are no joke—they’re chemical fires that don’t put out easily with water.
The gear you actually need before you start
Don't even think about starting this without the right tools. You’ll need a P2 Pentalobe screwdriver for the bottom screws. You need a Tri-point Y000 driver for the internal brackets. You need a suction cup, some thin plastic picks, and a heat gun (or a very hot hair dryer).
If you try to use a flathead screwdriver on a pentalobe screw, you'll strip it instantly. Then you’re stuck. Forever.
I’ve seen people try to use credit cards to pry the screen up. It works, sorta, but you risk snapping the card or, worse, cracking the OLED panel. A real iFixit Jimmy or a thin metal spudger is better, but only for the initial gap. Once you're in, stay plastic. Metal on internal electronics is a recipe for a short circuit.
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Why the "Spicy Pillow" changes everything
If your battery is swollen, the rules of how to take a iPhone battery out change. A swollen battery is under pressure. The casing is stretched. If you poke it with a metal tool, it can vent flames. When dealing with a swollen battery, do not apply heat to the screen. Heat expands gas. You don't want to expand the gas inside a failing battery.
Opening the iPhone: The scariest part
First, power it down. Completely. If the screen is still on, you’re asking for a spark. Remove those two tiny screws at the bottom near the Lightning or USB-C port. Keep them in a magnetic tray. They are so small they basically defy the laws of physics and disappear the moment they hit carpet.
Now, the heat. Use your heat gun on the edges of the display. You’re softening the waterproof adhesive. It’s thick, gummy stuff that holds the screen to the frame like superglue.
- Apply heat for about 1-2 minutes.
- The screen should be hot to the touch, but not so hot it burns you.
- Stick your suction cup on the bottom half of the screen.
- Pull up with steady, firm pressure.
You’ll see a tiny gap form. This is where you slide your plastic pick in. Slice through the adhesive around the perimeter. Warning: On the iPhone 12 and newer models, the screen opens to the left. On older models, it might open to the right or top. If you pull too hard or in the wrong direction, you’ll rip the display cables. That’s a $300 mistake.
Dealing with the internal brackets
Once the phone is open like a book, don't just yank the battery. It’s still connected. There’s a metal plate (or several) covering the battery connector and the display cables. Use your Tri-point or Phillips driver to remove the screws holding these plates.
Pro tip: Draw a map of where the screws go. Apple uses different lengths for screws that look identical. If you put a long screw into a short hole (Long Screw Damage), you can pierce the motherboard. This kills the phone. People call it "killing the traces." It’s permanent.
How to take a iPhone battery out: The adhesive strips
This is the part everyone hates. Apple secures the battery with "stretch-release" adhesive tabs. They’re like Command strips. You’re supposed to grab the black tip, pull it out sideways, and watch it stretch into a long, thin rubber band until it releases.
It never goes that smoothly.
Usually, the tab snaps. If it snaps while it's still under the battery, you're in for a bad time. You'll be tempted to pry the battery up. Do not pry against the logic board. If you must pry, use a plastic tool and work from the side furthest from the motherboard.
If the tabs snap, you can drop a few tiny drops of 90% (or higher) Isopropyl Alcohol under the battery. The alcohol breaks down the adhesive’s bond. Let it sit for a minute. The battery should wiggle free much easier. Just be careful not to soak the entire phone; you don't want liquid getting into the backlight layers of the screen.
The "Important Battery Message"
Here is something the "experts" often forget to mention. Even if you successfully learn how to take a iPhone battery out and swap in a brand new one, your iPhone will probably complain. Since the iPhone XS, Apple "pairs" the battery to the motherboard using a small microchip on the battery's BMS (Battery Management System).
When you put in a third-party battery—or even a genuine battery from another iPhone—your phone will show an "Important Battery Message." It will say it can't verify the battery is genuine. You’ll also lose the ability to see your "Battery Health" percentage in settings.
The only ways around this are:
- Using Apple’s Self Service Repair program (where you buy the part from them and they "validate" it via a remote software tool).
- Desoldering the original BMS board from your old battery and spot-welding it onto the new battery cell. This is "level 3" repair and definitely not for beginners.
- Just living with the notification. It doesn't actually affect performance, but it’s annoying.
Reassembly: Getting it back together
Once the old battery is out, clean up the old adhesive. If you leave clumps of old glue, the new battery won't sit flat. This can cause the screen to bulge or even crack when you press it back down.
Lay down your new adhesive strips. Place the battery in, but do not plug it in yet. Always connect the screen and other components first. The battery connector should be the very last thing you plug in before you close the device. This prevents short circuits while you're fiddling with the other tiny connectors.
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Test the phone before you seal it. Fold the screen over (don't click it into place), turn it on, and make sure the touch works and the battery is charging. There is nothing worse than gluing a phone shut only to realize you forgot to plug in the digitizer.
Real-world risks and nuances
People on YouTube make this look like a five-minute job. It isn't. For a first-timer, expect it to take an hour.
There's also the "Sensor" issue. On newer iPhones, the Face ID hardware is tied to the screen and the proximity sensor assembly. If you're removing the battery and you accidentally nick the ribbon cable at the top of the phone, you might lose Face ID forever. Apple’s security protocols are incredibly sensitive to hardware changes.
If you aren't comfortable with high-stakes surgery, honestly, sometimes paying a pro $80 is better than spending $50 on tools and parts only to break a $1,000 device. But if you're determined, just go slow.
What to do with the old battery
Whatever you do, don't throw the old lithium-ion battery in the trash. That’s how garbage truck fires start. Take it to a Best Buy, a Home Depot, or a local e-waste recycling center. They have specialized bins for these things.
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Actionable Next Steps
- Check your model number: Look at the fine print on the back or in Settings > General > About. This determines exactly which screwdriver set you need.
- Order a kit with adhesive: Don't just buy the battery. Make sure it comes with the "stretch-release" strips and the pre-cut waterproof gasket for the screen.
- Back up your data: Before you turn a single screw, back up your iPhone to iCloud or a computer. If the motherboard shorts during the repair, your photos are gone.
- Work on a non-conductive surface: A wooden desk or a silicone repair mat is perfect. Avoid working on metal or near static-heavy carpets.
- Keep your screws organized: Use a magnetic mat or even an ice cube tray to separate screws by the step they were removed.
The process of how to take a iPhone battery out is as much about organization as it is about mechanical skill. If you keep your screws straight and you don't rush the adhesive pulling, you’ve already won half the battle. Just remember: slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. If something feels like it's sticking, don't pull harder—apply more heat.