If your iPhone’s battery loses power very quickly, or if the phone turns off by itself when it still shows power, it might be time for a new battery. Also, if your phone has a hard time keeping power for long, a new battery could be needed. Apple provides help to put a new battery in many kinds of iPhones. The amount of money for this can be different. It changes based on which iPhone type you have, if it is still covered by Apple’s first help plan (often called a warranty), and sometimes by your specific area in the USA.
This article will talk about how much getting a new battery might cost. It will also cover Apple’s general rules and some good ways for you to have a new battery put in your iPhone.
Signs Your iPhone Battery May Need to Be Changed
You do not always have to guess if your battery is getting weak. Your phone often shows plain signs when its battery is getting old. Here are some things to look for:
- The battery power number on your screen goes down very fast.
- The iPhone turns off by itself before the power number gets to 0%.
- The phone often feels warmer than usual when you touch it.
- It takes more time than it used to for the battery to fill up with power when you charge it.
- The phone’s “Battery Health” number is less than 80%. (You can usually look for this by going to: Settings, then choosing Battery, then choosing Battery Health & Charging on your iPhone).
If you notice one or more of these things happening with your iPhone, its battery might need some help or to be changed.
How Much Apple Asks for Changing a Battery
Apple usually has a set amount of money it asks for in the USA to change an iPhone battery. This amount often depends on the kind of iPhone. The list below shows some example amounts in US dollars (USD).
|
iPhone Model |
Replacement Cost (USD) |
| iPhone 16 Series | $199 |
| iPhone 14 and 15 Series | $99 |
| iPhone 13 Series | $69 |
| iPhone 12 Series | $69 |
| iPhone SE (2nd/3rd Gen) | $49 |
| Older iPhones | $49–$69 |
To find out the most current price for changing the battery in your particular iPhone in the USA, it is always best to check Apple’s official U.S. website. You can also ask at an Apple Store or a place that Apple has approved to fix their items in the United States.
Can It Be No Cost with AppleCare+ or Apple’s First Help Plan?
Sometimes, the answer is yes. Apple might change your battery without asking for money if certain things are true for your iPhone.
For example, Apple might do this if your phone’s ‘Battery Health’ number shows less than 80 percent. This can also happen if your iPhone is still in its first year after you bought it; this is the time for Apple’s first help plan.
If you have an AppleCare+ plan for your phone and that plan is still working, that is another situation where the battery change might be at no cost. For all these situations, it is also important that the battery problem did not happen because the phone was harmed in some other way, like if it got water in it or was dropped very hard.
If these things are not true for your phone and its situation, you will likely need to pay the usual amount for a new battery. This amount will be based on your kind of iPhone.
Apple Repair or Other Shops: Which is a Good Choice?
You might think about going to a nearby fix-it place because it could cost less money, but there are some points to think about first. The table below shows some differences.
|
Place for Fix |
Money Asked |
Keeps Apple Help Plan Safe? |
Kind of Parts Used |
How Quick? |
| Apple Store | More money | Usually Yes | Parts from Apple | Takes some time |
| Place Apple Has Approved | Medium amount of money | Usually Yes | Parts from Apple | Takes some time |
| Other Fix-it Place (not Apple approved) | Less money | Usually No | Parts can be different kinds | Often quick |
Apple and places Apple has approved for fixes use real Apple batteries and parts. Other fix-it places not approved by Apple many times use batteries or parts that are not from Apple or approved by Apple. Using these other parts can sometimes cause more problems with the phone later on.
Places to Get Your iPhone Battery Changed
These are some of the chief places or ways you can choose to get a new battery for your iPhone:
- Go to an Apple Store (where they have the Genius Bar for help).
- Visit a fix-it place that Apple has said is okay to do their repairs (these are sometimes called AASPs).
- Send your iPhone to Apple through the mail. You can set this up on Apple’s internet site.
- Other nearby fix-it shops (but be very careful with these, and try to pick one that other people say is good and honest).
To look for an Apple-approved place near you in the USA, you can use the special search tool on Apple’s internet site. The web address is: https://support.apple.com/repair/locations.
How Much Time Does It Take to Change the Battery?
The amount of time it takes to change the battery can be different. It is different based on the place you choose for the fix and the kind of iPhone you have:
- At an Apple Store: Often about 2 to 3 hours. If you go without a set time, it could take more time.
- At a place Apple has approved for fixes: They might finish it the same day or the day after.
- If you send your phone to Apple by mail: It often takes about 5 to 7 workdays (days that are not Saturday or Sunday).
- At other nearby fix-it shops: About 1 to 2 hours, but it is good to ask first if they have the battery for your phone.
Before you give your phone to them for the fix, it is very important to save a copy of all your information from your phone. You can save this to Apple’s online storage place (called iCloud) or to a computer.
Can You Change the iPhone Battery On Your Own?
Some people wonder if they can change their iPhone battery by themselves. It might seem possible for a person to do it, but it is usually not a good idea for most people.
There are several important reasons why it is better not to try this. First, if you try to open your iPhone and change the battery yourself, you could stop Apple’s help plan (the warranty) from working. It is also not hard to cause harm to important inside parts of the phone, like the main thinking part or the screen, if you are not careful. The batteries in iPhones (called lithium-ion batteries) can also be unsafe if not handled the right way; they can get too hot or get bigger. Also, Apple does not usually sell new iPhone batteries straight to people who buy their phones for them to put in themselves.
It is best for helpers who have learned how to do it safely to open an iPhone. Apple gives these helpers special things to work with. They also use special sticky stuff to put the phone back together correctly and keep it safe.
Last Ideas: Is Changing Your iPhone Battery a Good Idea?
If your iPhone still works well but the battery does not last long, changing the battery is often a good idea. This can help your phone work better and for a longer time, usually for less money than buying a new phone. Before deciding, it is wise to check your phone’s ‘Battery Health’ number and see if any help plans like AppleCare+ might cover the change.
Always have Apple or a place they approve put in the new battery to make sure they use parts that will work correctly with your phone. If you are in the USA and have had your iPhone battery changed, you can write about what happened for you in the comments below. Your story could give useful thoughts to other people.