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Allyson Kazmucha
A bad battery can severely diminish how long you can go on a full charge. If you own an iPhone 5s and either didn't opt for AppleCare or just prefer doing things on your own in order to save some money, a DIY battery replacement isn't terribly difficult. Not only that, buying the battery on your own and replacing it costs a fraction of what you'll pay for an out of warranty repair. So if you've been experiencing less than stellar battery life, we can help you replace your iPhone 5s' battery in under 30 minutes!
What you need to DIY replace an iPhone 5s battery
You'll need some tools and parts in order to repair your iPhone 5s. If you're in the United States or Canada, we highly recommend checking out eTech Parts as we've had lots of good experiences with them and know their customer service is out of this world. All the links below will route you to the direct item on eTech's site.
- Replacement iPhone 5s battery - Buy now
- Suction cup - Buy now
- 5-point security screwdriver - Buy now
- Standard #000 Phillips screwdriver - Buy now
- Spudger tool - Buy now
- Razor blade - Buy Now
- iSesamo Opening tool (not necessary but awesome for prying up cables and getting under adhesive) - Buy Now
Before performing any repair on any device, always remember to power it off. Simply hold down on the Power button until you see Slide to Power off. One you're sure your iPhone 5s is turned off, proceed to the next section.
2. Remove the two security screws on both sides of the dock connector
There are two security screws that secure the screen to the frame and they sit on each side of the dock connector. Use your 5-point security screwdriver to remove them. They are both the same size so it's okay if you mix them up.
3. Remove the display assembly
- Place your suction cup slightly above the Home button assembly and secure it to the screen.
- Holding the iPhone in place with one hand, gently pull upwards on the suction cup until you free the bottom of the screen but do NOT pull up all the way at this point as a cable running to the Touch ID sensor is still connected. You only want to separate the screen about an inch at this point.
- Now that you have a clear view of the cables, use the pointed edge of your spudger tool in order to carefully remove the metal shield covering the Touch ID cable.
- Make sure you don't lose the metal guard that covers the Touch ID connector.
- Again, use the pointed edge of your spudger tool in order to disconnect Touch ID.
- You can now safely swing the display up more in order to see where it is connected to the board.
- Remove the four screws holding down the shield that covers the display cables. To do this, use your #000 screwdriver.
- Once all four screws are removed, carefully remove the shield and set it aside.
- Now use your spudger tool in order to remove the three cables shown in the image below.
- The display assembly should now be free from the body of the phone. Go ahead and set the display assembly aside.
Note: We used the suction cup method here but note that if you can't get a firm grip with a suction cup, you can use a razor blade or the iSesamo opening tool. Carefully work your way around the bottom of the phone between the frame and display assembly with a razor blade or the iSesamo Opening Tool until you can gently pry up using the flat end of your spudger tool. We recommend using plastic razor blades if you can find them since they won't cause damage to the finish of the iPhone's frame.
4. Replace the battery
- Remove the two screws holding down the battery cable using your #000 Phillips screwdriver.
- Gently lift the battery shield out of your iPhone 5c and carefully set it aside.
- Use your spudger tool to carefully pry up the battery cable.
- Along the bottom of the battery above the dock, there is an adhesive tab. Use the pointed end of your spudger tool to unfold it.
- Pull on the tab at both sides just enough to where you can use scissors to put a cut in the center.
- Starting on the left side of the iPhone 5s battery, carefully start pulling the adhesive. It should start coming loose from underneath the battery. You'll hear a creaking/cracking noise. This is normal and is just the adhesive pulling up from the casing.
- Slowly and carefully pull sideways and along the left hand side of the battery. Take care not to tear any components. At the same time, don't pull too quickly or the adhesive tab will tear, making it hard to get the rest of it out.
- Perform the same action along the right side of the iPhone 5s battery. Take tremendous care not to snag cables or the logic board. Pull away from the logic board.
- Keep a finger or two over the battery as it may come with the adhesive when you're done removing it.
- Once both sides of the adhesive strip are removed, simply lift the old battery out of your iPhone 5s.
- Your new replacement battery should have adhesive pre-installed on the back of the battery. If it doesn't, use two strips of double-sided tape that are a little shorter than the length of the battery. This will work just fine.
- Place the new battery in your iPhone 5s.
- Replace the battery cable on the logic board.
- Replace the battery shield and the two screws you removed earlier.
- Replace the three cables that attach the display assembly to the logic board.
- Replace the display shield using the four screws and your #000 Phillips screwdriver.
- Re-connect the Touch ID cable to the logic board. The easiest tool to help you do this is the pointed end of the spudger tool.
- Replace the Touch ID shield that sits over the cable.
- Carefully line up the top of the display into the top of the frame.
- Snap down the display until it clicks into place.
If the display doesn't want to go back down, do NOT force it. Instead, be sure that the top is lined up correctly and that you aren't snagging any cables. There should be no resistance when snapping it back into place. If there is, you aren't lining it up correctly.
6. Replace the dock connector screws
Use your 5-point security screwdriver to replace the two dock connector screws that sit on either side of the dock.
7. Test the new battery
After you've finished assembling your iPhone 5s, it's safe to turn it on. In order to test the new battery, perform the following steps:
- Fully charge your iPhone 5s and make sure it doesn't get any warmer than usual, as that could be a sign of a defective battery
- Monitor usage over the first few days with the replacement battery to make sure your battery life has improved
If all of the above checked out okay, you're good to go!
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