Easy iPhone 4S Battery Replacement, with Hints

Mijn probleem

iPhone 4S failed to hold a charge. It was 3 1/2 years old.

Mijn oplossing

Replacing an iPhone 4S battery is very easy. Take your time and pay attention to the details.

Mijn advies

Here are a few hints:

-- Have SEPARATE containers or places ready to hold:

• Two TINY pentalobe screws from the outside of the case.
• One VERY TINY 1.5 mm phillips screw from the top of the battery connector.
• One VERY TINY 1.7 mm from the bottom right of the battery connector.
• The "pressure contact", aka "small black ground clip".
• Use separate containers where the parts cannot roll away, such as jar lids, dixie cups, or maybe spoons. I used the separate compartments in the cardboard box that came from iFixit.

-- Make sure you remember which phillips screw is which (1.7 vs 1.5 mm). Not all instructions on the Internet remind you about that.

-- The "pressure contact underneath the top screw" is part of the "small black ground clip" - they are one part. I used tweezers to gently remove it during disassembly (and to reinstall it). You remove it to make sure it does get lost when the battery pops up and is removed. Using tweezers meant that I did not leave any fingerprints or oils on it, so alcohol cleaning was not necessary.

-- The battery was attached with a strong adhesive. In my opinion, the best way to remove it is to be very patient. I used the plastic pry tool to apply brief gentle lifting pressure under several spots on the right side, prying against the outside case edge. Use gentle prying pressure for a second or two, then release. Try again at another spot. Gently lift the plastic tab on the left side. Repeat over and over. The adhesive will slowly loosen, even though the battery does not move at first. Eventually the battery will show signs of lifting up. Patience is the key.