An iPhone can easily be used for several years, provided it is treated with some care. But even with the best care, there is one part of an iPhone that will degrade over time — the battery. Fortunately, an iPhone battery can be replaced relatively quickly and inexpensively.
An iPhone battery replacement will cost, on average, around $70. But plenty of people still hope to pay even less, which leads some to wonder if they can replace the battery on their own, and if Apple sells an iPhone battery replacement kit.
Keep reading to learn more about iPhone battery replacement costs and what you should do before getting your battery fixed.
Table of Contents
Can I replace the battery in my iPhone?
The short and simple answer is NO, you should not try to replace the battery in your iPhone. The truth is, while we often want to think we are capable of handling certain tasks, there are some things better left to the professionals. Smartphone repair is one of those tasks, so let’s put aside the thoughts of trying to save money by swapping your iPhone’s battery all by yourself and focus on more important things, such as finding a trusted local repair shop.
Where can I get my iPhone battery replaced?
Now that you’ve set aside the thoughts of trying to save money by swapping the battery yourself — the first step is deciding whether you should look towards a local repair shop or head straight to an Apple retail store. Not everyone has an Apple Store nearby, so that may rule the Apple Store option out for some.
You may think the best starting point is using Google to “find a smartphone repair shop near me” but Swappa has a more straightforward approach: the Swappa Repair Network, which offers a quick and easy way to find a repair shop in your area, and also estimate the battery replacement cost.
iPhone battery replacement cost
One of the most common iPhone repairs is replacing the battery. And, as a result of being such a common repair — it can often be completed relatively quickly.
As you’ll notice in the table below, Apple charges either $49 or $69 for a battery replacement. The $69 price point is for newer models, and the older models are at the $49 price point. A local repair shop is generally going to be close in price, but there is a potential of paying more on some models, such as with the iPhone 12.
| Battery Replacement Cost (Swappa Repair Network) | Battery Replacement Cost (Apple out-of-warranty) | iPhone Replacement Cost (Swappa Marketplace) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | N/A | $69 | Starting around $755 |
| iPhone 13 mini | N/A | $69 | Starting around $710 |
| iPhone 13 Pro | N/A | $69 | Starting around $945 |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | N/A | $69 | Starting around $1,190 |
| iPhone 12 | $115 | $69 | Starting around $555 |
| iPhone 12 mini | N/A | $69 | Starting around $485 |
| iPhone 12 Pro | $115 | $69 | Starting around $705 |
| iPhone 12 Pro Max | $125 | $69 | Starting around $850 |
| iPhone SE (2nd gen) | $52 | $49 | Starting around $195 |
| iPhone 11 | $86 | $69 | Starting around $380 |
| iPhone 11 Pro | $111 | $69 | Starting around $505 |
| iPhone 11 Pro Max | $104 | $69 | Starting around $510 |
| iPhone XS | $72 | $69 | Starting around $310 |
| iPhone XS Max | $76 | $69 | Starting around $370 |
| iPhone Xr | $71 | $69 | Starting around $285 |
| iPhone X | $71 | $69 | Starting around $285 |
| iPhone 8 | $60 | $49 | Starting around $150 |
| iPhone 8 Plus | $60 | $49 | Starting around $230 |
| iPhone 7 | $57 | $49 | Starting around $100 |
| iPhone 7 Plus | $59 | $49 | Starting around $170 |
| iPhone SE (1st gen) | $59 | $49 | Starting around $85 |
| iPhone 6S | $54 | $49 | Starting around $90 |
| iPhone 6S Plus | $56 | $49 | Starting around $120 |
| iPhone 6 | $55 | $49 | Starting around $75 |
| iPhone 6 Plus | $56 | $49 | Starting around $90 |
| *Pricing current as of Dec 1, 2021 |
While price is obviously important, you should also consider your time. Not everyone has an Apple Store close to where they live or work, so that may rule out the Apple Store as an option. To be fair, Apple does offer battery repair service by mail, but that adds an additional $6.95 to the cost and it also means you’ll be without your phone while it is being shipped and repaired, which is less than ideal. Quite often, a local repair shop will be able to swap the battery in your iPhone while you wait, which is great, especially when you think about how important your iPhone is in your daily life.
In addition to the price data in the table above, you can also use the Swappa Repair Calculator to not only find the cost to repair, but also the value of the repaired phone.
Apple Self Service Repair
In November 2021, Apple announced that they would begin the “Self Service Repair” program in early 2022 and that each repair kit will include genuine Apple parts along with the necessary tools and manuals. Unfortunately, this program will only be available for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 at launch, which means this option will not be available for those with an older iPhone (read: those who are more likely in need of a battery replacement).
Preparing to get your battery replaced
You should always back up the data on your iPhone, just as in case of an emergency type of thing. But you should absolutely make sure that your iPhone is backed up before getting the battery replaced.
Back up your iPhone with iCloud
Apple offers options to backup with iCloud, or with a Mac or Windows computer. The simplest option is with iCloud because it can be done using only your iPhone. The first step is making sure your iPhone is connected to a WiFi network. The next steps are as follows:
- Navigate to Settings -> [Your Name]
- Tap iCloud
- Tap iCloud Backup
- Tap Back Up Now
Back up your iPhone with a Mac
- Open a Finder window
- Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable
- Follow on-screen steps when asked for your device passcode to Trust This Computer
- Select your iPhone on your computer (in the Finder window)
- Select Encrypt local backup to ensure all data is backed up
- Click Back Up Now
- Verify the Last backup date and time to ensure the backup has completed
Back up your iPhone with a PC
- Open (or install) iTunes on your PC
- Connect your iPhone to your PC with a USB cable
- Follow on-screen steps when asked for your device passcode to Trust This Computer
- Select your iPhone in iTunes
- Select Encrypt local backup to ensure all data is backed up
- Click Back Up Now
- Verify the Last backup date and time to ensure the backup has completed
Is iPhone battery replacement worth it?
If you have a newer iPhone that is in good condition and meets your daily usage needs (aside from bad battery life) — replacing the battery is absolutely worth the cost. Using the iPhone 11 as an example, a battery replacement from Apple is $69 or about $86 from a local repair shop. This would be money well spent because it means your iPhone would now meet your needs in all aspects, including not having to worry about running out of battery life mid-day.
But if you have an older iPhone, your money is better spent on an upgrade. A newer model iPhone means a newer battery (with better battery life), and it also means you’ll be able to keep using your phone for longer into the future. Need help figuring out which iPhone to get? No problem, check out our iPhone Buyer’s Guide to find the right iPhone for you!
In the end, whether you decide to replace the battery in your current iPhone, or use the bad battery as an excuse to upgrade to a newer model — Swappa has you covered. You can use the Swappa Repair Network to find a trusted local repair shop, or head to the Swappa Marketplace to begin searching for a gently used replacement iPhone.
Not sure whether iPhone battery repair is right for you? Ask the on-call experts in our forums!
