Introduction
Use this guide to replace a worn-out battery on the iPhone 11. A fresh battery restores battery life and fixes unexpected shutdowns. Written for repair shops, with an illustration and the safety notes for every step.
Before you start. This guide is for trained technicians. Lithium batteries can overheat if damaged, so discharge below 25%, never use metal tools on the cell and work on a non-flammable surface. Always check the procedure for your exact part before opening the phone.
What you need
Parts
Trade prices, ex VAT.
Replacement batteryBuy this part
Battery adhesive stripsBuy this part
Repair tool kitBuy this part
Tools
Pentalobe P2 (0.8mm) screwdriver
Phillips #000 screwdriver
Suction cup
Plastic picks
Spudger
Tweezers
Heat pad or heat gun
Isopropyl alcohol (90%+)
Plastic card
Screw tray or magnetic mat
Step 1Power down and discharge
- Before anything else, power the iPhone 11 off.
- For battery safety, let the charge drop below 25% before you open the phone.
- Work on a clean, non-flammable surface with good light.
WarningLithium-ion batteries can overheat if they are punctured or bent. Never use metal tools on the battery.
Step 2Set up a screw tray
- The screws in this phone are different lengths, so each one has to go back where it came from.
- Use a magnetic mat, a labelled tray or a sheet with the phone's outline drawn on it.
- Put each screw down in the same layout as it sat in the phone.
TipTake a photo of the open phone before you remove each bracket. It makes reassembly much faster.
Step 3Remove the bottom screws
- Use a pentalobe P2 (0.8mm) screwdriver to remove the two screws either side of the Lightning port.
- Put both in the first spot on your screw tray.
Step 4Warm the bottom edge
- Warm the bottom edge of the screen with a heat pad, or a heat gun on a low setting, for about a minute.
- Warm, not hot: roughly 60 to 80 °C. Too much heat can damage the display and the battery underneath.
Step 5Attach the suction cup
- Press a suction cup onto the screen just above the bottom edge, clear of any cracks and the curved edge.
- If the cup will not stick, add a piece of tape and try again.
Step 6Open a small gap
- Hold the phone firmly and pull the suction cup up with steady force.
- You only need a gap big enough to slide a pick into.
CautionThe display is held by waterproof adhesive and clips. Do not try to lift the whole screen in one go.
Step 7Insert a pick
- Slide a plastic pick into the gap at the bottom-left corner.
- Remove the suction cup.
Step 8Cut the adhesive: bottom and left
- Slide the pick along the bottom edge, then back round up the left side.
- Re-warm the edge if the adhesive resists.
Step 9Work along the hinge side carefully
- The display cables run along this side, so keep the pick no deeper than about 3mm.
- Move up the side in short strokes. Stop and warm it again if it sticks.
CautionA deep pick on this side can cut the display or sensor flex cables.
Step 10Release the top edge
- The front camera and sensors sit near the top, so keep the pick shallow here too.
- Run it along the top edge to release the last of the adhesive.
Step 11Lift the display gently
- Open the display from the bottom edge, like a book, to about 90 degrees.
- Do not pull it flat: the flex cables are still connected.
Step 12Support the display
- Prop the display against a small box or stand so it cannot fall back.
- Keep the cables free of tension.
Step 13Find the connector bracket
- Look for the metal bracket covering the battery connector and the display cable connectors on the logic board.
Step 14Remove the bracket screws
- Remove the screws that hold the bracket down.
- Note which tray position each one goes in. They differ in length.
CautionCheck each screw's length against your tray before it goes back in. A screw that is too long can damage the board.
Step 15Lift the bracket away
- Lift the bracket with tweezers or the end of a spudger and put it aside.
Step 16Disconnect the battery first
- Gently lift the battery connector straight up with the flat end of a spudger.
- Bend it slightly away from its socket so it cannot touch and reconnect by accident.
WarningAlways disconnect the battery before any other connector.
Step 17Disconnect the display cables
- Lift the display connector and the touch connector with the flat of a spudger.
- Lift the front sensor assembly connector the same way, keeping each cable straight.
Step 18Remove the display
- Lift the display clear of the phone.
- Put it down on a soft, clean surface.
Step 19Locate the battery
- The battery is the large flat cell in the middle of the phone.
- Check it is not swollen. If it is, handle it with extra care and recycle it safely.
WarningA swollen battery can burst. Do not press or puncture it, and move it to a non-flammable container.
Step 20Find the pull tabs
- The battery is held by stretch-release adhesive with pull tabs at the bottom edge.
Step 21Pull the first tab
- Pull the tab slowly and steadily, low and almost parallel to the battery, so the adhesive stretches out from under it.
- Ease off each time it goes tight. Do not yank.
TipIf the adhesive is stiff, warm the area very gently (no hotter than 60 °C).
Step 22Pull the second tab
- Repeat with the other tab until the strip is completely free.
Step 23If a tab breaks
- Put a few drops of 90% isopropyl alcohol under the battery edge and wait two to three minutes.
- Slide a plastic card or pick gently under the battery to release it.
WarningNever use metal tools on the battery, and never bend it.
Step 24Lift out the old battery
- Lift the freed battery out of the phone.
- Put it straight into a safe, non-flammable container.
Step 25Clean the battery bay
- Remove old adhesive residue with isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free cloth.
- Let the area dry fully before fitting anything.
Step 26Fit the new adhesive
- Fit the new adhesive strips with the tabs hanging over the bottom edge, unless your battery already has them fitted.
- Peel the backing only when you are ready to place the battery.
Step 27Seat the new battery
- Check the connector lines up with its socket before you press the battery down.
- Press along its length for about 30 seconds.
Step 28Reconnect the display cables
- Lay the display next to the phone and press each connector down until it clicks: display, touch, then the front sensor assembly.
Step 29Reconnect the battery
- Press the battery connector into its socket with a spudger and check it is flat.
Step 30Refit the bracket
- Lay the bracket back over the connectors and refit its screws in their original positions.
Step 31Test before sealing
- Turn the phone on and check it starts, reads a sensible percentage and charges.
- Check touch, the earpiece and the front camera while you are there.
NoteA non-genuine battery can show as an unknown part and may not report its maximum capacity. A battery coded with a programmer can report health normally.
Step 32Power off and fit a new seal
- Remove any old adhesive from the frame and clean it with isopropyl alcohol.
- Fit a new pre-cut display seal so water resistance is restored as far as possible.
NoteA fresh seal restores much of the protection but not all of it, so do not promise customers the original water-resistance rating.
Step 33Close the display
- Hook the top edge in first, then lower the display and press down along the bottom.
- Press firmly all round the edge for about 30 seconds.
Step 34Refit the bottom screws
- Refit the two pentalobe screws either side of the Lightning port.
- Tighten until snug. Do not over-tighten.
Step 35Charge and calibrate
- Charge the phone to 100% and leave it for around two hours.
- Use it normally afterwards. The percentage settles over the first few cycles.
Conclusion
Charge the new battery fully before you hand the phone back. Take the old battery to a proper recycling point and never put it in general waste.
Common questions
Will Battery Health still show?
A non-genuine battery can show as an unknown part and may not report maximum capacity. A battery coded with a programmer can report health normally.
How do I stay safe?
Discharge below 25% first, never use metal tools on the cell, never bend it, and recycle a damaged battery in a safe container.
Can I reuse the old adhesive?
No. Always use fresh adhesive strips.
Will this affect water resistance?
Opening the iPhone 11 breaks the factory seal. A fresh seal restores a lot of the protection but not all of it, so tell customers not to rely on the original water-resistance rating.
More iPhone 11 guides
Screen replacement Charging port replacement All iPhone 11 guides