Iphone 13 Pro Max Battery Replacement Repair Guide

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Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

Pentalobe Screw
1 step
Taping Over The Display
1 step
Screen Removal
20 steps
Loudspeaker Removal
3 steps
Taptic Engine
3 steps
Battery
8 steps

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Introduction

If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

Note: After the repair, your iPhone may display a warning about the “genuineness” of the battery, even when using original Apple parts. If your iPhone functions normally, you can safely ignore the warning.

For optimal performance, after completing this guide, calibrate your newly installed battery: Charge it to 100% and keep charging it for at least two more hours. Then use your iPhone until it shuts off due to low battery. Finally, charge it uninterrupted to 100%.

What you need

Step 1

              Remove the pentalobe screws

Caution: Before you begin, discharge your iPhone battery below 25%. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured.
Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
Remove the two 6.8 mm-long pentalobe P2 screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.
Opening the iPhone’s display will compromise its waterproof seals. Have replacement seals ready before you proceed past this step, or take care to avoid liquid exposure if you reassemble your iPhone without replacing the seals.

Caution: Before you begin, discharge your iPhone battery below 25%. A charged lithium-ion battery can catch fire and/or explode if accidentally punctured.

Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.

Remove the two 6.8 mm-long pentalobe P2 screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.

Opening the iPhone’s display will compromise its waterproof seals. Have replacement seals ready before you proceed past this step, or take care to avoid liquid exposure if you reassemble your iPhone without replacing the seals.

1024

Step 2

              Tape over any cracks

If your iPhone has a cracked screen, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping over the glass.
Lay overlapping strips of packing tape over the iPhone’s display until the whole face is covered.
This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.
Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.
If the broken glass makes it difficult to get a suction cup to stick in the next few steps, try folding a strong piece of tape (such as duct tape) into a handle and lifting the display with that instead.

If your iPhone has a cracked screen, keep further breakage contained and prevent bodily harm during your repair by taping over the glass.

Lay overlapping strips of packing tape over the iPhone’s display until the whole face is covered.

This will keep glass shards contained and provide structural integrity when prying and lifting the display.

Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.

If the broken glass makes it difficult to get a suction cup to stick in the next few steps, try folding a strong piece of tape (such as duct tape) into a handle and lifting the display with that instead.

Step 3

              Heat the lower edge of the iPhone

Heating the lower edge of the iPhone helps soften the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.
Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the lower edge of the iPhone for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Heating the lower edge of the iPhone helps soften the adhesive securing the display, making it easier to open.

Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the lower edge of the iPhone for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Step 4

              Apply suction cup(s)

The next two steps demonstrate the iSclack, a handy tool that we recommend for anyone doing frequent repairs. If you aren’t using the iSclack, skip down two steps for an alternate method.
If the plastic depth gauge is attached at the center of the iSclack, remove it now—it’s not needed for larger iPhones like the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of your iPhone—one on the front, and one on the back.
Press both suction cups firmly into place.
If your display or back glass is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may help the suction cups adhere. The iSclack also includes two pieces of tape for this purpose.

The next two steps demonstrate the iSclack, a handy tool that we recommend for anyone doing frequent repairs. If you aren’t using the iSclack, skip down two steps for an alternate method.

If the plastic depth gauge is attached at the center of the iSclack, remove it now—it’s not needed for larger iPhones like the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of your iPhone—one on the front, and one on the back.

Press both suction cups firmly into place.

If your display or back glass is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may help the suction cups adhere. The iSclack also includes two pieces of tape for this purpose.

Step 5

              Separate the screen

Hold onto your iPhone securely and close the handle of the iSclack to slightly separate the screen from the rear case of the phone.
Don’t try to completely separate the screen—a small opening along the bottom edge is all you need.
Insert an opening pick into the gap under the screen on the lower edge of your iPhone.
Skip the next two steps.

Hold onto your iPhone securely and close the handle of the iSclack to slightly separate the screen from the rear case of the phone.

Don’t try to completely separate the screen—a small opening along the bottom edge is all you need.

Insert an opening pick into the gap under the screen on the lower edge of your iPhone.

Skip the next two steps.

Step 6

              Insert an opening pick

Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the phone, while avoiding the very edge of the glass.
Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.
The watertight adhesive holding the display in place is very strong; creating this initial gap takes a significant amount of force. If you’re having a hard time opening a gap, apply more heat, and gently rock the screen up and down to weaken the adhesive until you create enough of a gap to insert your tool.

Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the phone, while avoiding the very edge of the glass.

Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.

Insert an opening pick into the gap.

The watertight adhesive holding the display in place is very strong; creating this initial gap takes a significant amount of force. If you’re having a hard time opening a gap, apply more heat, and gently rock the screen up and down to weaken the adhesive until you create enough of a gap to insert your tool.

Step 7

              Heat and separate the screen adhesive

Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the left edge of the iPhone for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the left edge of the iPhone for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Step 8

Slide the opening pick around the lower left corner and up the left edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.
Don’t insert the pick more than 3 mm inside your phone, or you may damage the display cables.

Slide the opening pick around the lower left corner and up the left edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.

Don’t insert the pick more than 3 mm inside your phone, or you may damage the display cables.

Step 9

Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the right edge of the iPhone for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the right edge of the iPhone for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Step 10

Re-insert your pick at the bottom edge of the iPhone, and slide it up the right side to continue separating the adhesive.
Don’t insert your opening pick more than 3 mm into the iPhone, or you may cause damage to internal components.

Re-insert your pick at the bottom edge of the iPhone, and slide it up the right side to continue separating the adhesive.

Don’t insert your opening pick more than 3 mm into the iPhone, or you may cause damage to internal components.

Step 11

Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the top edge of the iPhone for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Use a hairdryer or heat gun or prepare an iOpener and apply it to the top edge of the iPhone for about a minute in order to soften up the adhesive underneath.

Step 12

Insert your pick into the right edge of the phone. Slide it around the top-right corner and across the top edge.
Again, don’t insert the pick more than 3 mm or you may damage the front panel sensor array.

Insert your pick into the right edge of the phone. Slide it around the top-right corner and across the top edge.

Again, don’t insert the pick more than 3 mm or you may damage the front panel sensor array.

Step 13

Insert your pick into the left edge of the phone. Slide it around the top-left corner and across the top edge.
Again, don’t insert the pick more than 3 mm or you may damage the front panel sensor array.

Insert your pick into the left edge of the phone. Slide it around the top-left corner and across the top edge.

Step 14

              Open the iPhone

Remove your suction handle from the screen.
Open your iPhone by swinging the display up from the right side, like the front cover of a book.
Don’t try to fully separate the display yet, as several fragile ribbon cables still connect it to the iPhone’s logic board.
Lean the display against something to keep it propped up while you’re working on the phone.
During reassembly, lay the display in position, align the clips along the top edge, and carefully press the top edge into place before snapping the rest of the display down. If it doesn’t click easily into place, check the condition of the clips around the perimeter of the display and make sure they aren’t bent.

Remove your suction handle from the screen.

Open your iPhone by swinging the display up from the right side, like the front cover of a book.

Don’t try to fully separate the display yet, as several fragile ribbon cables still connect it to the iPhone’s logic board.

Lean the display against something to keep it propped up while you’re working on the phone.

During reassembly, lay the display in position, align the clips along the top edge, and carefully press the top edge into place before snapping the rest of the display down. If it doesn’t click easily into place, check the condition of the clips around the perimeter of the display and make sure they aren’t bent.

Step 15

              Remove the battery connector cover

Use a Y000 screwdriver to remove the three 1.3 mm screws securing the battery connector cover.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.
During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your iPhone and test all functions before you seal the display in place. Be sure to power your iPhone back down completely before you continue working.

Use a Y000 screwdriver to remove the three 1.3 mm screws securing the battery connector cover.

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.

During reassembly, this is a good point to power on your iPhone and test all functions before you seal the display in place. Be sure to power your iPhone back down completely before you continue working.

Step 16

Remove the battery connector cover.

Remove the battery connector cover.

Step 17

              Disconnect the battery

Use the pointed end of a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board.
Try not to damage the black silicone seal surrounding this and other board connections. These seals provide extra protection against water and dust intrusion.
Bend the connector slightly away from the logic board to prevent it from accidentally making contact with the socket and providing power to the phone during your repair.

Use the pointed end of a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the battery connector up from its socket on the logic board.

Try not to damage the black silicone seal surrounding this and other board connections. These seals provide extra protection against water and dust intrusion.

Bend the connector slightly away from the logic board to prevent it from accidentally making contact with the socket and providing power to the phone during your repair.

Step 18

              Disconnect the display cable

Use the pointed end a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the display connector up from its socket on the logic board.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Use the pointed end a spudger or a clean fingernail to pry the display connector up from its socket on the logic board.

To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Step 19

              Unscrew the front sensor connector cover

Use a Y000 screwdriver to remove two 1.1 mm screws from the front sensor connector cover.
Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the remaining two screws from the front sensor connector cover:
One 1.5 mm screw
One 1.8 mm screw

Use a Y000 screwdriver to remove two 1.1 mm screws from the front sensor connector cover.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the remaining two screws from the front sensor connector cover:

One 1.5 mm screw

One 1.8 mm screw

Step 20

Remove the front sensor connector cover.

Remove the front sensor connector cover.

Step 21

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the front sensor assembly cable connector.

Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the front sensor assembly cable connector.

Step 22

Remove the display assembly.
During reassembly, pause here if you wish to replace the waterproof adhesive around the edges of the display.

Remove the display assembly.

During reassembly, pause here if you wish to replace the waterproof adhesive around the edges of the display.

Step 23

              Unscrew the loudspeaker

Use a Phillips driver to remove the four 1.5 mm screws securing the loudspeaker:
Two larger-headed screws
Two smaller-headed screws

Use a Phillips driver to remove the four 1.5 mm screws securing the loudspeaker:

Two larger-headed screws

Two smaller-headed screws

Step 24

              Separate the loudspeaker adhesive

Slide an opening pick between the top edge of the taptic engine and the adhesive-backed strip.

Slide an opening pick between the top edge of the taptic engine and the adhesive-backed strip.

Step 25

              Remove the loudspeaker

Remove the loudspeaker.

Remove the loudspeaker.

Step 26

              Remove the Taptic Engine

Pry up with the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the Taptic Engine cable.

Pry up with the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the Taptic Engine cable.

Step 27

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove two screws securing the Taptic Engine:
One 1.8 mm screw
One 1.9 mm screw
Use a standoff screwdriver to remove the 2.9 mm standoff screw securing the Taptic Engine.

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove two screws securing the Taptic Engine:

One 1.9 mm screw

Use a standoff screwdriver to remove the 2.9 mm standoff screw securing the Taptic Engine.

Step 28

Remove the Taptic Engine.

Remove the Taptic Engine.

Step 29

              Locate the adhesive pull-tabs

The battery is secured to the rear case with four pieces of stretch-release adhesive—two on the bottom edge of the battery, and two on the top edge.
Each piece of adhesive has a black pull-tab at the end, which is lightly adhered to the edge of the battery.
In the following steps, you’ll pull each tab to slowly stretch out the adhesive underneath the battery. These “command-strip” style adhesives lose their stick when stretched, so you can remove the battery with ease.
If the strips break, don’t panic! They don’t always work as intended. Keep reading for tips on removing broken strips.

The battery is secured to the rear case with four pieces of stretch-release adhesive—two on the bottom edge of the battery, and two on the top edge.

Each piece of adhesive has a black pull-tab at the end, which is lightly adhered to the edge of the battery.

In the following steps, you’ll pull each tab to slowly stretch out the adhesive underneath the battery. These “command-strip” style adhesives lose their stick when stretched, so you can remove the battery with ease.

If the strips break, don’t panic! They don’t always work as intended. Keep reading for tips on removing broken strips.

Step 30

              Remove the stretch-release adhesive

Use a pair of blunt-nosed tweezers to peel down the two battery adhesive pull-tabs along the bottom edge of the battery.
Caution: Don’t jab the battery with any sharp tools. A punctured battery may leak dangerous chemicals or catch fire.

Use a pair of blunt-nosed tweezers to peel down the two battery adhesive pull-tabs along the bottom edge of the battery.

Caution: Don’t jab the battery with any sharp tools. A punctured battery may leak dangerous chemicals or catch fire.

Step 31

Grab the first pull-tab with your fingers or the center of a spudger and slowly pull it away from the battery, toward the bottom of the iPhone.
Pull hard enough to maintain tension on the strip, but don’t force it. Give it plenty of time to stretch and un-stick from under the battery.
Don’t press down on the battery. Hold the iPhone firmly by its sides.
Keep the strip flat and unwrinkled. Try to pull evenly on the whole strip, rather than pulling mainly in the middle or on one side.
Pull at a low angle so the strip doesn’t snag on the edge of the battery.
If the adhesive strip breaks off, try to retrieve it using your fingers or blunt tweezers, and continue pulling—but do not pry under the battery.
If any of the adhesive strips break off underneath the battery and can’t be retrieved, try to remove the other strips, and then proceed as instructed below.

Grab the first pull-tab with your fingers or the center of a spudger and slowly pull it away from the battery, toward the bottom of the iPhone.

Pull hard enough to maintain tension on the strip, but don’t force it. Give it plenty of time to stretch and un-stick from under the battery.

Don’t press down on the battery. Hold the iPhone firmly by its sides.

Keep the strip flat and unwrinkled. Try to pull evenly on the whole strip, rather than pulling mainly in the middle or on one side.

Pull at a low angle so the strip doesn’t snag on the edge of the battery.

If the adhesive strip breaks off, try to retrieve it using your fingers or blunt tweezers, and continue pulling—but do not pry under the battery.

If any of the adhesive strips break off underneath the battery and can’t be retrieved, try to remove the other strips, and then proceed as instructed below.

Step 32

Grab the second pull-tab with your fingers or the center of a spudger and pull it away from the battery, toward the bottom of the iPhone.
Follow the same procedure as with the previous strip: don’t press down on the battery, keep the strip flat and unwrinkled, and pull at a low angle.
If the adhesive strip breaks off, try to retrieve it using your fingers or blunt tweezers, and continue pulling—but do not pry under the battery.
If the adhesive breaks off underneath the battery and can’t be retrieved, continue with the next step.

Grab the second pull-tab with your fingers or the center of a spudger and pull it away from the battery, toward the bottom of the iPhone.

Follow the same procedure as with the previous strip: don’t press down on the battery, keep the strip flat and unwrinkled, and pull at a low angle.

If the adhesive breaks off underneath the battery and can’t be retrieved, continue with the next step.

Step 33

Use a pair of blunt-nosed tweezers and an opening pick to peel up the two remaining battery adhesive pull-tabs from the top edge of the battery.

Use a pair of blunt-nosed tweezers and an opening pick to peel up the two remaining battery adhesive pull-tabs from the top edge of the battery.

Step 34

Using the same procedure as before, pull the remaining two tabs, one at a time, to stretch and remove the remaining adhesive strips holding the battery in place. Try not to snag the adhesive on anything.
Be careful not to fling the battery from the iPhone as the final adhesive strip comes out.
If you removed all the adhesive strips successfully, skip the next step.
Otherwise, continue with the next step below.

Using the same procedure as before, pull the remaining two tabs, one at a time, to stretch and remove the remaining adhesive strips holding the battery in place. Try not to snag the adhesive on anything.

Be careful not to fling the battery from the iPhone as the final adhesive strip comes out.

If you removed all the adhesive strips successfully, skip the next step.

Otherwise, continue with the next step below.

Step 35

              How to remove a stuck battery

If you’re still having trouble removing the battery, apply a few drops of high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol under the edge of the battery in the area of the broken adhesive strip(s).
Wait about one minute for the alcohol solution to weaken the adhesive.
Use an opening pick or the flat end of a spudger to gently lift the battery.
Don’t try to forcefully lever the battery out. If needed, apply a few more drops of alcohol to further weaken the adhesive. Never deform or puncture the battery with your pry tool.

If you’re still having trouble removing the battery, apply a few drops of high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol under the edge of the battery in the area of the broken adhesive strip(s).

Wait about one minute for the alcohol solution to weaken the adhesive.

Use an opening pick or the flat end of a spudger to gently lift the battery.

Don’t try to forcefully lever the battery out. If needed, apply a few more drops of alcohol to further weaken the adhesive. Never deform or puncture the battery with your pry tool.

Step 36

              Remove the battery

Remove the battery.
If there’s any alcohol solution remaining in the phone, carefully wipe it off with a coffee filter or lint-free cloth, or allow it to air dry before installing your new battery.
If your new battery didn’t come with adhesive preinstalled, refer to this guide for help replacing the adhesive strips.
Perform a force restart after reassembly. This can prevent several issues and simplify troubleshooting.

Remove the battery.

If there’s any alcohol solution remaining in the phone, carefully wipe it off with a coffee filter or lint-free cloth, or allow it to air dry before installing your new battery.

If your new battery didn’t come with adhesive preinstalled, refer to this guide for help replacing the adhesive strips.

Perform a force restart after reassembly. This can prevent several issues and simplify troubleshooting.

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our iPhone 13 Pro Max Answers community for help.

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