Apple Watch Series 3 Battery Replacement

Written By: Tobias Isakeit

Comments: 29

Apple Watch Series 3 Battery Replacement

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

1 - 3 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a worn-out battery in your Apple Watch Series 3.

This guide shows the procedure on the standard, GPS-only version of the watch, but the cellular/LTE version is similar. Any important differences are noted in the text.

Note: If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Before starting repairs, take your watch off the charger and power it down.
If your touchscreen is broken and prevents powering off the watch, use this alternate method to power it down.

Verify your model. The back of the Cellular model just says GPS, so be sure to check the groves where the watch band goes to determine you model. I made the mistake of just reading the back of the device and since I’d been gifted the device didn’t know it was cellular. Cellular has a different type of touch force gasket, different screen, and different battery connections.

Ryan Holt - 07/10/19

From what I just read on Apple, the only differences in watch series 3 is 38mm and 42mm.

mcr4u2 - 27/01/21

As a consumer all you need to know are 38mm and 42mm

Michael Adoga - 05/05/21

The back will say GPS LTE if it’s the cellular version. If it doesn’t say LTE it is only the GPS version. The displays are different whether or not it is LTE(cellular).

themepark -

This alternative method only reboots the watch.

Gregg Stanley -

Step 2

Prepare an iOpener (or grab a hair dryer or heat gun) and heat the face of the watch until it's slightly too hot to touch.
Leave the iOpener on the watch for at least a minute to fully heat the screen and soften the adhesive holding it to the case.
You may need to reheat the iOpener, or move it around on the screen as sections cool, to heat the screen enough to pry it off.

I have heated up the iOpener to 165 degrees and left it on for more than a minute. No way I can lift the screen off with the exact knife. Tried different angles in various places, but no go. I also used a hair dryer un til the watch screen was too hot to touch and even tried a very hard cutting tool blade and also no go. Could n ever get the blade under the face I applied enough force where I could see that the blade left small marks, not very big, but could never get anything to move or lift. What am I doing wrong? I spent 47 years at a global computer company and I am used to taking apart small things and applying force when required. I don’t know what I am doing wrong. Please help me.

Rafael Blanco - 28/10/20

Getting the initial gap is not easy. Maybe a playing card could work its way in the tiny gap and cut some adhesive. After that there might be some success with an exacto knife. Or you want to try a piece of aluminum foil (folded for more rigidity) for cutting the adhesive. Be aware of the force touch gasket and that it might get damaged during that procedure.

Tobias Isakeit - 03/11/20

I finally used a hot air gun set to 150 deg. C heating up the edges by slowly spinning the watch around before the technique worked. Difficult is the level noted and it’s correct. Finally worked and watch perfectly functioning.

Chris Giavotto -

I had to heat the iOpener 2 times and leave it on top of the watch for 10 minutes.

Axel Trujillo -

Step 3

Because the gap between the screen and watch body is so thin, a sharp blade is needed to separate the two. Read the following warnings carefully before proceeding.
Protect your fingers by keeping them completely clear of the knife. If in doubt, protect your free hand with a heavy glove, such as a leather shop glove or gardening glove.
Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this might cause the knife to slip and cut you, or damage the watch.
Wear eye protection. The knife or glass may break, sending pieces flying.
Feel free to attach or remove the watch band as needed to provide more control as you make repairs.

Don’t cut your finger off!

Mike -

The Watch 3 stainless Steel has an additional Frame. Where do i have To Open it?

asteffen@me.com -

I wore thick gardening gloves just to be safe 😅 and it took a while but the screen did come off.

Axel Trujillo -

Step 4

Place the edge of a curved blade into the thin gap between the display and the outer case. Start at the short side of the display, closest to the digital crown.
Press firmly straight down into the gap.
Once inserted, tilt the blade to pry the display open slightly.
Do not insert the knife more than 1/16th of an inch (~2 mm).

It’s difficult to grip case in a way that keeps fingers safe from the blade but doesn’t hit the side buttons and turn the device on!

If it’s a struggle to get the display to release, warm case for a few more minutes.

Kyle Powderly -

I have tried so may times to get the display to release but nothing works. Should have bought a new watch LOL. Kept the iOpener on 2 times for 10 minutes and it still won't open. There must be a better way.

Susan E. White -

Hi Susan,

if you're struggling to get the adhesive loose enough a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the device. The edge should feel slightly too hot to the touch.

Dominik Schnabelrauch -

Step 5

Once you've opened a small gap with the curved blade, remove the blade and insert the thinner edge of an opening tool into the gap.
Push the opening tool into the gap, using your thumb as a pivot to lift the display open a bit farther.
Don't try to fully open or detach the display yet.

Step 6

Insert an opening pick under the display and carefully separate the Force Touch gasket from the display.
iFixit screen and battery repair kits include a replacement Force Touch gasket, so don't fret too much if yours is damaged.
Otherwise, to preserve the Force Touch gasket, pry carefully under the edge of the display. If the Force Touch gasket splits when lifting the display, or if you separate the gasket layers, you'll also need to replace the Force Touch gasket itself.
Slide the pick around the display to separate the adhesive between the Force Touch gasket and the display.
Don't insert the opening pick deeper than 1/16th of an inch (~2 mm).

Step 7

To avoid straining the display cables, don't open the display all the way yet.
Open the display to about a 45° angle, and use tweezers to peel off the adhesive between the display and the Force Touch gasket.
Thread the adhesive around and behind the display cables to get it off completely.

Step 8

Use a Y000 driver to remove the tri-point screw securing the metal cover plate.
Use a pair of tweezers to remove the cover plate.
First open the plate all the way to unhinge the two flaps.
Then close it halfway to remove it completely by lifting it out.

Pictures are the GPS version. Cellular doesn’t have the gap and separate removable plate on the “taptic engine” section.

Ryan Holt - 07/10/19

What if I’m unable to unscrew the screw? I’m using the right tool, but it just won’t do it. It feels like it can’t “lock in” if you know what I mean in order to be able to get enough grip to turn the screw. Any suggestions?

Cade Capper - 02/11/20

Once you have the driver set properly in the screw you have to lean into it to get it to turn. The screw is coated with LockTight.

mailghall -

Step 9

On the GPS-only version it is possible to disconnect the battery immediately. For the cellular/LTE version, you need to disconnect the Force Touch gasket and fold it out of the way first, in order to disconnect the battery.
Disconnect the battery by prying its connector straight up.
Bend the connector up slightly to make sure it does not make contact by accident.

whats does it happen if the connector make contact by accident????

Daniel Sanchez -

Step 10

Use scissors to cut one of your opening picks to about the width of the battery. Try not to leave any sharp corners.
Insert the modified pick between the edge of the battery and the case, on the side opposite the digital crown.
Use constant, steady pressure to slowly pry the battery up, separating it from the adhesive securing it to the system board.
If needed, you can also safely pry along the top edge of the battery, against the Taptic Engine.
Mind the display cables so you don't damage them when levering the battery out.
Make sure you don't puncture or deform the battery, as it can catch fire and/or explode if damaged.

I had some regular sized (old ifixit) guitar picks and that worked well too.

amiller770 - 02/05/20

I was able to make one out of a soda bottle and got the battery out with no damage

Dylan Chapell - 19/10/20

Step 11

Remove the battery.
Be sure to remove the protective liner to expose the adhesive on your new battery before you set it in place.
If needed, try re-using the existing adhesive to secure the battery. Alternatively, try a small piece of double-sided tape such as Tesa 61395, or a dab of liquid adhesive such as E6000.
If you're using an iFixit repair kit, proceed to the guide linked in the conclusion below to install a new Force Touch sensor and re-seal your watch.
Alternatively, if you are just replacing the adhesive and not the sensor, see the adhesive replacement guide for applying new adhesive and then reassembling.

Conclusion

Once your new battery is set in place, continue from Step 10 of the Force Touch Gasket guide to re-seal your watch and complete your repair.

Author

Tobias Isakeit

Member since: 31/03/14

107664 Reputation

8 comments

I’m having problem with my Apple Watch series 3, a red snake shown in the watch, I bought a brand new battery here in ifix and i proceed to install it but I’m having the same problem. Can someone help me.

thanks

educroasdaile - 01/08/20

Have you checked our Apple Watch troubleshooting page for the charging issue?

Tobias Isakeit - 06/08/20

followed all the steps properly. But the Apple watch does not switch on! The new battery does not seem to work.

Karthikeyan Rathinasamy -

After replacing the Battery will the watch be waterproof enough to swim with/ have the same water resistance as when it was new

Gibson White -

If you cleaned both the backside of the lens and the case groove where the adhesive was very well and replaced the adhesive getting it squarely on the case lip just as the original one was installed, I would expect the watch to be as sealed and water resistant as it was when new.

Bill Auerbach - 06/06/22

There seems to be a lot of talk about the force touch gasket, but given apple removed support for force touch anyways, is it ok to just remove the gasket altogether? or will that effect the fit of the parts and effect water resistance?

Bob -

Hi Bob,
removing the force touch gasket will lower your screen accordingly deeper into the housing (we noticed that with the next iteration being a tad thinner). So you might feel a little ridge when touching the edges of the display during use. Water resistance will be the same as when you have the force touch gasket or not.

Tobias Isakeit -

FYI for whoever this might help, I just took apart my cellular series 3 watch, this one is from the first year of the series 3 (when it was the newest watch). There were 2 differences, one of them didn't matter, but one of them was of critical importance.
I bought the iFixit kit for this battery replacement. One, rather than the panel being a separate black panel like in the pictures here, it was one continuous black sticker I had to peal up.

Secondly, the side panel that they say to use a Y000 screwdriver on, I tried using the Y000 tip included in my iFixit kit, AND IT DID NOT FIT. luckily I had a few tri point drivers around so I was able to undo it, but they are not labeled, so that doesn't help anyone else in this situation.

Benjamin kier -