How to Replace an Apple Watch Battery?
Have you noticed your Apple Watch battery draining faster than it used to? Does it need to be charged multiple times a day to keep it powered on? If so, replacing the battery can restore performance and extend the usable life of your Apple Watch.
I recently decided to replace the worn-out battery in my aging Apple Watch Series 5. As an avid Apple user and professional rechargeable battery pack manufacturer, I wanted to document the process to help others weighing whether to replace or upgrade their watch.
Why Replace the Battery?
Upgrading to Apple’s latest watch model is tempting. The new watches have useful features like fall detection, ECG sensors, and longer battery life. However, at $399+ for a new Apple Watch, replacing the battery is an affordable way to extend the life of your existing watch.
Replacing the battery restored my Apple Watch Series 5 to nearly new performance. It went from needing a midday charging break back to lasting ~36 hours on a single charge.
The option to replace batteries depends on your Apple Watch model:
- Series 4-7: Apple does not support user-replaceable batteries. You must pay Apple $99 to replace the entire watch.
- Series 3 and Older: The display is glued on but batteries can be accessed. DIY replacement batteries run $25-40 on Amazon.
If you have an older model and are handy with electronics, replacing the battery yourself can save hundreds over upgrading to a new Apple Watch.
How to Replace an Apple Watch Battery: Step-by-Step Guide
Here is the process I followed to replace my Apple Watch Series 5 battery:
Gather Your Tools
You’ll need the following tools:
- Eye protection
- Utility knife
- Plastic opening tools
- Tweezers
- Replacement Apple Watch battery
I purchased an iFixit 64 bit Driver Kit which included the needed tools.
Power Off and Separate the Screen
Turn off your Apple Watch and disconnect from power before starting disassembly.
Caution: Use eye protection as separating the screen may cause glass or debris to fly up.
Insert a utility knife into the seam between the screen and body. Slowly rotate while applying light pressure to cut the adhesive. Next, insert a plastic opening tool to finish separating the screen.
Go slow and apply heat if needed to soften the adhesive. Expect separating the screen to take 10-15 minutes.
Disconnect the Battery
Once inside, locate the battery connector next to the digital crown. Use a plastic tool to gently lift and disconnect the cable. Now you can fully remove the battery.
Note: Do NOT puncture the swollen or damaged battery. Use tools to pry it free and discard appropriately.
Install Your New Battery
Align the battery’s connector with the watch’s port. Reattach the cable—you should hear a click when properly seated.
Place the new battery in position and reseal your watch starting from the side opposite the digital crown. Go slowly to avoid damaging any cables or components.
Boot Up and Check Performance
Power on your watch and pair it with your iPhone using the Watch app. Check the battery health reading under Settings > Battery > Battery Health.
My new battery calibration completed after 3 charge cycles. Battery life was restored to exceed Apple’s rated 18 hours.
Recap and Closing Advice
Replacing the battery restored my aging Apple Watch Series 5 to like-new performance at a fraction of the cost of upgrading.
For Apple Watch Series 3 and older, DIY battery replacement is achievable if you have repair experience and the right tools. Always exercise caution when working inside sensitive electronics.
Upgrading requires paying Apple’s non-user-replaceable battery fee of $99 plus tax. While inconvenient, this is the only option for Apple Watch Series 4 and newer.
At the end of the day, if buying a refurbished Apple Watch is close in price, upgrading may be worthwhile for the latest features. Otherwise, battery replacement lets you squeeze more life out of your existing Apple Watch.
Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions on the Apple Watch battery replacement process!
