Do I really have to disconnect the screen for a battery repair.

Hi Toro,

The guides on iFixit are designed in a safety-conscious way to minimize the chance of damage to the phone and maximize the chance for a successful repair. As such, removing the screen is the safest way to do it, as it eliminates the chance of tearing those delicate screen cables as you're reefing on the battery to get it out.

But it's your phone after all and if you feel confident in pulling the battery without disconnecting the screen then it's all your choice. I would personally try to anchor the screen in place; maybe by rubber banding it to a standing iPhone box to hold it while you work on the battery. Try and make sure the phone itself doesn't move while you're getting the battery out and you should be okay.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes; success stories are always appreciated and we can usually learn something when things don't go as planned.