While it's not recommended that you disassemble your iPhone, there are times when your iPhone battery needs to be removed, especially if the phone's warranty has expired. The process of removing the battery is tricky and the method is slightly different for each version of the iPhone, but if you are smart, you can do it without any difficulty. Keep reading to learn more.
Step
Method 1 of 3: iPhone 5
Step 1. Remove the bottom screws
Use a screwdriver to unscrew the two 3.6 mm screws on the bottom of iPhone.
These screws are next to the "Lightning" connector
Step 2. Secure the suction cup to the front of the phone
Press the suction cup against the screen, slightly above the Home button. Apply enough pressure for a perfect fit.
The bowl should fit perfectly to hold the front half as you try to remove it from the bottom
Step 3. Pry the lower back cover
Lift the suction cup up with one hand while pulling the back cover down with the other. Once a gap is formed, insert a plastic opening tool between the two halves and then pry the back cover away more firmly.
- You should pull these two sections using even, firm pressure. The iPhone 5's display assembly is known to be tough and difficult to pull out.
- Continue pulling up on the suction cup while working with the plastic opener.
- As you work, you will notice several clips securing the front panel to the back. This clip must be removed.
- For now simply remove the bottom and sides of the unit.
Step 4. Lift the front panel
Once the sides and bottom are separated, lift and rotate the front panel so that it forms a 90 degree angle from the back casing.
Do not first separate the front panel from the back casing. There is a ribbon cable that must be removed first
Step 5. Remove the cable bracket
Use a screwdriver to remove the screws around the cable bracket. Then use your fingers to lift the front assembly cable bracket from the motherboard inside the back casing.
There are a total of three screws to be removed: two 1.2 mm screws and one 1.6 mm screw
Step 6. Disconnect the unit cable
Use a plastic opening tool to remove the front facing camera and sensor cable, digitizer cable, and LCD cable. Simply lift the cable and remove it using the tip of the tool.
At this point, you can completely remove the front panel from the back case without damaging anything
Step 7. Remove the battery connector bracket
Remove the two screws along the metal battery connector bracket. This bracket secures the battery connector on the motherboard. Once the screws are removed, use your finger to remove the connector bracket.
There are two screws to remove: one 1.8 mm screw and one 1.6 mm screw
Step 8. Lift the battery connector
Insert the end of the plastic opening tool under the battery connector, pushing it up so that it pops out of its socket on the motherboard.
Work carefully. You should only remove the battery connector, not the socket
Step 9. Pry the battery out
Place the edge of the plastic opening tool between the battery and the back case of the phone. Run the tool along the right edge to pry the battery at several points to remove it.
- Work with care to avoid damaging the phone or battery.
- If necessary, use the clear plastic pull tab on the battery to peel away the adhesive that holds it to the iPhone back case.
- This step completes the battery removal process.
Method 2 of 3: iPhone 4 and 4s
Step 1. Remove the screws at the bottom of the back plate
Use a small screwdriver to remove the two small screws on the bottom of the iPhone. Set aside and store in a safe place.
The two screws are 3.6 mm long and are on either side of the dock connector port
Step 2. Slide the back plate up and remove it
Hold iPhone with both hands, place your thumbs on the back plate and your fingers on the screen. Slide over the plates to separate them.
- You have to apply a lot of pressure to slide the shroud up. To minimize the risk of damaging the screen, apply most of the pressure with your thumb, and focus the pressure towards the bottom or top of the backplate rather than the center.
- The panel will move up about 2 mm.
- Once this shroud is shifted up, you can open it sideways and lift it completely off the front unit. If you cannot lift the casing with your fingers, use a small suction cup.
Step 3. Remove the screws around the battery
Use a screwdriver to remove the two screws around the battery. These screws secure the battery connector to the motherboard.
- Note that the top screw is shorter than the bottom screw.
- On some iPhone 4 models, only one screw must be removed.
Step 4. Pry the battery connector
Insert the plastic opening tool under the metal connector next to the battery. Lift to remove it from the motherboard.
- You should also remove the small grounding clip under the battery connector before removing the connector itself. You can do this using a plastic opening tool. If you do not do this, the clip may fall off when you remove the connector.
- Work carefully to avoid prying the socket. You simply remove the connector.
Step 5. Lift out the battery
Insert the end of the plastic opening tool into the bottom of the battery and carefully pry it out.
- You have to do it carefully. There's a battery retaining adhesive on the back case, so you'll need to use sufficient but directional force to lift it out.
- You can also use the plastic tab connected to the battery to lift it out.
- Avoid moving too close to the top of the iPhone, as this is where the volume button cable is.
- This step completes the battery removal process.
Method 3 of 3: iPhone 3
Step 1. Remove the two bottom screws
Use a screwdriver to remove the 3.7 mm screw on the bottom of the phone. Set aside in a safe place.
These two screws are on either side of the dock connector
Step 2. Lift the front panel to open it
Stick the suction cup on the screen, just above the Home button. Once the bowl is fully attached, lift it straight up with one hand while holding the bottom of the iPhone in the other. The top panel will come off immediately.
- You must exert sufficient force to lift the front panel using the suction cup. There is a rubber gasket between the front panel and the rear unit so that the two parts adhere quite tightly.
- Shake the suction cup back and forth as you lift to help loosen it.
- If necessary, use a plastic opening tool to pry the bottom away while lifting the top.
- Do not remove the front casing completely as it is still connected downwards by some wires. Instead, lift and rotate it so that it forms a 45-degree angle from the bottom of the phone.
Step 3. Disconnect the ribbon cable
While holding the front unit open with one hand, use the other hand to disconnect the black ribbon cables labeled "1", "2", and "3" using a plastic opening tool.
- Enter the tool from the left. If you pull it from the right, you can damage the ribbon connector.
- Lift cables 1 and 2 to remove the connector. Cable 3 will rotate about 90 degrees.
- Slide the ribbon cable away from the connector. This is to remove the entire front unit from the rear casing.
Step 4. Remove the SIM tray
Insert the SIM eject tool into the hole next to the headphone jack on the phone. Press down until the SIM card tray slides out, and continue to slide with your fingers to release it.
- If you don't have a SIM eject tool, use a paper clip.
- You can also remove this tray at the beginning of the process if you find it easier or more comfortable to do so.
Step 5. Disconnect ribbon cables 4, 5 and 6
Insert a plastic opening tool under each connector to push it out and open it.
- For iPhone 3GS, there will be a ribbon cable labeled "7" that must be removed.
- Take a moment to remove the "Do not remove" sticker to reveal one of the screws near the bottom of the casing.
Step 6. Remove the screws around the phone and battery
There will be eight screws: five 2.3 mm screws, two 2.3 mm screws, and one 2.9 mm screw.
- The first five 2.3 mm screws have partial threads and secure the motherboard to the back casing.
- The two second 2.3 mm screws have filler thread and secure the motherboard to the camera.
- The 2.9 mm screw is under the "Do not remove" sticker.
Step 7. Remove the camera
Insert the flat end of the plastic opening tool under the camera. Apply slight but even pressure to push it out.
You can only partially remove the camera. The bottom of the camera is still connected to the motherboard
Step 8. Pry the bottom of the motherboard
Slide the end of the plastic opening tool under the motherboard on the side of the dock connector. Carefully lift the motherboard and slide it towards the end of the phone dock connector, completely removing it.
There is a small gold tab on the motherboard. These tabs are delicate and can break easily, so work with extra care
Step 9. Lift the battery out
Insert the plastic opening tool under the battery. Lift the battery to remove it.
- There is an adhesive that secures the battery to the back case. As a result, the battery can be bent or damaged if you remove it carelessly.
- You can use the plastic pull tab to remove the battery, but this can increase the risk of the battery bending.
- If necessary, heat the back of the sheath on the lowest setting of the hairdryer. This is to weaken the adhesive bond so that the battery is easier to remove.
- This step completes the battery removal process.
Tips
Keep all removed screws in a safe place while you work. If possible, take each screw apart so that you can easily remember its use
Warning
- Removing the battery from the iPhone will void the phone's warranty. If there is still warranty for the phone, it is better to take the phone to a service center for free to remove the battery. However, if there is no warranty, removing the battery yourself can be much cheaper than taking it to a professional service.
- Turn off the iPhone before removing the battery. Otherwise, you could get electrocuted and damage the phone.
- Use a plastic opener. Metal opening tools will damage the phone.
