Can you replace an iPhone battery? Yes, you can. Most certainly and especially if the phone is no longer charging. Here’s why.
A long-standing conspiracy theory is that when new versions of the iOS operating system for iPhones are released, they make old phones run slower to push people into buying a new one. It turns out that theory is true, but not for the reason most people think.
It’s not about “forcing” you to buy a new iPhone. It’s about battery performance. The new versions of iOS slow older phones down to help them run longer as the batteries start to age.
The question is, can you replace an iPhone battery? You can, and faster performance is only one of several reasons to do so. Let’s look at what a new battery can do for your phone.
What Causes Batteries to Degrade Over Time?
iPhones use lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. These batteries offer longer run-time and more charge cycles than older rechargeable batteries but they still have a limit.
With every charge cycle, the amount of power the battery can hold gets a tiny bit smaller. These changes are so small that you won’t notice from one charge to another but over several hundred charging cycles, you’ll notice your phone’s battery life getting shorter.
Li-ion batteries work best when charged a little bit at a time rather than running them down to practically zero then charging back up to 100%. If you constantly run them down and fully charge them, you’ll notice the battery life get shorter that much sooner.
What Happens When Your Battery Degrades Too Much?
When the battery in your iPhone has lost enough of its ability to hold a charge, it can lead to a flaky phone. You’ll likely notice the most obvious symptom first, running out of juice sooner, but your phone might also start shutting down randomly or having strange display glitches when switching between apps.
These things can happen when the battery isn’t able to provide enough power for the phone to operate at full speed. The latest iPhones use powerful processors, with comparable or even higher performance than a typical laptop or desktop PC. Don’t let the fact that it fits in your pocket fool you.
This is the reason iOS started throttling the phone’s performance when the battery starts to wear out. By slowing down the phone, it lessens the chances of random shutdowns or other problems.
How to Check Your Battery Status
You can see whether your iPhone’s performance is being throttled in your phone’s settings. Open the Settings app, tap Battery, and then tap Battery Health.
This page shows you the maximum capacity of your iPhone’s battery, relative to when it was brand new. along with the performance capability. The Peak Performance Capability section will indicate the status of your battery.
If it indicates it’s operating at peak performance, you’re in good shape. But if it says that performance management has been applied or, worse, your battery’s health is significantly degraded, you should consider replacing it.
Can You Replace an iPhone Battery Yourself?
You have two options for replacing iPhone batteries:
- Do-it-yourself
- A service/repair centre such as ours
Do-It-Yourself
The first option, do-it-yourself, is likely going to be the least expensive option but you should only attempt it if you’re comfortable working on small electronic devices (or willing to take the chance of damaging your iPhone, possibly beyond repair).
You’ll also need special tools to open your iPhone. Some batteries come with the tools you need so if you don’t already have the necessary equipment, look for a kit from us that has everything you need.
If you go the do-it-yourself route, make sure you check your local recycling rules about the old battery. Li-ion batteries have specific rules about how they need to be recycled and can’t simply be tossed in the trash.
Service Centres Like iParts4U
Service centres like iParts4U carry batteries for any still-viable models of iPhone. You can get the battery replaced by us on models going back as far as the iPhone 4S, right through the most current series.
You might be perfectly happy with the performance of an older series iPhone or want to stick with the smaller physical size of those earlier models. An ageing battery doesn’t mean you need to buy a new one.
A replacement battery will match the original battery’s capacity so your phone will hold a charge like it did when it was brand new. And if you have an iPhone 6 or newer that could be running at less-than-peak performance, you should see a significant increase in the speed.
It will feel like a new phone for a fraction of the cost. Plus, you can feel good about helping the environment by reducing the amount of old technology that’s piling up in landfills. There are several materials in these devices that are particularly bad for the environment so the longer you can use it, the better.
Are There Any Downsides to Replacing Your iPhone’s Battery?
Replacing the battery on your iPhone doesn’t pose any problems to the operation of your phone provided the replacement battery is comparable to the original.
Make sure you deal with a reputable company, whether they’re replacing the battery or you’re buying one to do it yourself. Low-quality batteries can lead to similar problems to a worn-out battery, making the repair a little pointless.
And if the battery is not up to the standards required to operate a modern iPhone, it could lead to more serious problems like seriously damaging your iPhone.
Make Your iPhone Run Like New Again
The bottom line is that replacing an ageing battery in your iPhone can give it a new lease on life. You’ll get the same performance you saw when it was new and will be able to go longer between charges.
Can you replace an iPhone battery yourself or should you pay someone else to do it? That’s a question that only you can answer. If you’re up for replacing it yourself, iParts4U can help. We carry a wide range of iPhone batteries going back to the iPhone 4S.
If you have any questions about a replacement battery for your iPhone, get in touch with us today.
