Weekly Mod: How to replace an iPhone 4 battery
Have an out of warranty AT&T or Verizon iPhone 4 that's can't seem to hold a charge and wondering how to replace the battery DIY (do it yourself) style? Changing out batteries is a service we provide at PXLFIX on a regular basis, but it's actually a pretty simple repair and something most people with just a bit of technical know-how can perform.
Disclaimer: As with any repair, iMore nor PXLFIX can be held responsible for any damage you may do to your device. It's also worth considering that opening up your device to perform any repair or modification can and will void your Apple warranty. If you don't feel comfortable opening your device, don't. With this specific repair, please take care not to puncture or bend the battery in any way as it could be a potential fire hazard. Use extreme care and caution when performing a repair on any device.
What You need for a DIY battery swap
PXLFIX recommends using only quality and genuine parts from a reputable supplier like eTech Parts. They have the parts, tools, and all your other repair needs.
- A sad iPhone 4
- A new iPhone 4 battery - GSM iPhone 4 battery, CDMA iPhone 4 battery
- A #00 Phillips screwdriver
- A mini 5-point screwdriver (you'll only need this if you have five point screws in your dock connector instead of standard #00 Phillips screws)
- A plastic pry tool
How to remove the back of your iPhone 4
- First remove the bottom 2 dock connector screens in your iPhone 4. Use either your #00 screwdriver or the five point depending on whether or not your iPhone 4 has security screws in the dock connector. Almost all newer devices will have security screws.
- To remove the back simply slide the back upwards and lift it off gently.
- Set the back and 2 dock connector screws aside.
How to remove the old battery of your iPhone 4
- To remove the old battery you'll need to remove the #00 screw holding the battery clip in place. Remove this screw located to the bottom left of the battery.
- The metal clip on the battery is what clips the battery to the logic board. You'll need to pop this clip up with your plastic pry tool. Simply stick the end of your pry tool underneath the clip and gently pull upwards until it unfastens from the logic board.
- To remove the battery, I do not recommend using the plastic pull tab. There is quite a bit of adhesive underneath the battery and the tab will normally just rip off or you can bend the battery. Instead, run your pry tool along the right side of the battery and break the adhesive that way. Once the battery is free from the adhesive, you can pull the old battery out of the phone. There are no other connectors holding it in.
- As a side note, there is a tiny grounding clip that sits right where you unscrewed your battery from. Do NOT lose this clip. It grounds your wifi antenna. You will need to make sure it is in place before installing the new battery.
How to install a new battery in your iPhone 4
- Make sure your wifi grounding clip is in place. It should be lined up with your #00 screw hole for your battery. It goes under your battery clip.
- Once your grounding clip is lined up you can snap your new battery in place. Just line up the clip on the battery to where it gets seated on the logic board and snap it down. You should hear it click into place.
- Set the new battery in place and line it up.
- Replace the #00 screw that holds the battery and grounding clip in place.
How to put the back cover back on your iPhone 4
- Place your iPhone 4 back cover back on by lining up the clips and sliding it down into place. It should fall directly into the track. It should be easy to slide it into place.
- Put the two dock connector screws back in.
And... done!
That's it. You now have a new battery in your iPhone 4! Have you done this repair yourself? Let us know how it went! Want to know how to perform another type of iPhone repair or modification? Send me suggestions to ally.kazmucha@tipb.com or leave a comment in our brand new Mod and DIY Repair Forum!
For repair questions or to inquire about mail-in repairs through PXLFIX, please follow us on Twitter or e-mail us directly!
Jailbreak, Mod, and DIY editor at iMore, Founder of PXLFIX, Potter pundit, the ninja in your iOS.
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Apple wants $99 to do this.This is a smart thing to do yourself.
Should one apply new adhesive to the new battery? What kind is recommended, rubber cement?
I don't typically find it necessary to apply new adhesive. If you remove the battery you'll see that there is quite a bit of adhesive still left underneath it on the main chassis. If there isn't any (in some cases it may stick to the old battery instead of the chassis), I'd recommend rubber adhesive between the two but 3M makes a sticky type of adhesive that works wonders for iPhone and iPod repair, it's what I use on iPad 2 and iPod 4G screen replacements. You heat it up a bit with a heat gun first and it sticks very nicely. It's super thin, that's why I like it so much. Here's a link to something like what I use...
https://www.etechparts.com/Adhesive-2mm-x-150-ft-Rolls-for-HTC-Smartphones-p/822-7244.htm
I know it says HTC but works great on all. Another option is this if you need something a bit wider....I use the thinner stuff for the tiny borders around iPod Touch screens, etc... but this stuff is thicker so good for under a battery or the top and bottom of the back of a digitizer.
https://www.etechparts.com/Universal-Adhesive-p/822-4325.htm
Batteries are very inexpensive. We only charge $35 for an iPhone 4 complete battery swap so I agree, very easy repair that doesn't warrant paying $99 : )
I did as it is shown and it really worked well. I had to reset my 4s because it locked up and would not do anything including no shutdown. The disconnect from the battery for a short time fixed it. I lost no information. A little more detail about the antennae strap with more video about it would be a great idea. Thanks for your video....Warren
Now how about adding battery life to my 4s...
: )
http://www.tipb.com/2011/10/23/fix-battery-life-problems-ios-5-iphone-4s/
Do you have this for a iPhone 3GS? Where do you order a new battery from?
Try the site I linked above - etechparts.com - they have excellent quality parts
a 3GS is a bit more complicated since they open from the front but I'd be willing to consider throwing up a tutorial on that if enough people are interested.
I am!
Ok ok. Already have one for next week so you'll have to be patient for a week or two though.
Ok cool, thank you for the info.
Wondering since the iPhone 4s battery is bigger if you can add it to the 4
The connectors are different so it wouldn't work.
This is a nice post. Wished there were more posts like this on TiPB.
You should include a warning with this article as well. Punctured or damaged batteries can become a fire hazard and I have seen a tech cause this before.
It is worth noting that you should take the appropriate precautions when working with any type of battery due to the risk of fire or damage.
Good point. I'll add this in when I get home and also include a warning in all future posts. Thanks!
replacing a battery is a MOD?
It's a new weekly column focused on mods and repairs. It'll have a mix of both.
Also, please don't be rude.
Mod sounds cooler anyways :p
I didn't take his comment as rude... Apple considers it a mod, but any "other" person I don't think would.
That's kind of why we stuck with mod. ANY internal change apple considers a mod and voids warranty. I'll make that clear in future posts.
Rene, i am sorry if i sounded rude, i didnt mean to be... i was just confused when i saw battery replacement under mod heading...
No worries. I chose mod because Apple considers it that. And anything "they" consider a "mod" will void your warranty.
How is it that the batteries need replacing already after 18 months (12 months if they're pentalope screws)? Is that really all they're getting with heavy use?
Surprisingly I have done quite a few 4 battery replacements since warranties have some up. Some are water damage though. But yeah sometimes batteries in the 4 suck.
Hi! My battery drains like crazy (I'm on 5.0.1), but I realize it was also draining on 4.1, and most importantly, it gets REALLY hot (STEAMING HOT, sometimes rendering it un-usable, near the SIM area). It's an iPhone 4: would you say a battery replacement would fix the overheating and battery drain? Thanks
PS: I bought it used, so it could perfectly be an old battery anyways, that needs replacement.
thank you useful post
I would rather buy another iPhone, and I'm not even rich like everyone else on here
And I recommend that for people that don't feel comfortable performing repairs. We aren't pushing anyone to perform them but anyone who has a bit of technical knowledge and would like to save some money will benefit from guides like these. But by no means do something you don't feel comfortable doing.
Thanks you!
I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend a while studying more or figuring out more. Thanks for wonderful info I used to be on the lookout for this information for my mission.