Introduction
iPhone batteries are rated to hold 80% of their capacity for up to 500 charge cycles, which lasts roughly 18-24 months for most users. After that, your iPhone may need to be charged far more frequently, and iOS may warn you that performance is affected (in other words, your phone will run slower). Use this guide to replace your battery and restore your iPhone 13 mini to like-new performance.
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.
You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach components when reassembling the device.
Tools
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Power off your iPhone before beginning disassembly.
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Remove the two 6.8 mm-long pentalobe P2 screws at the bottom edge of the iPhone.
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Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone—one on the front, and one on the back.
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If your display or back glass is badly cracked, covering it with a layer of clear packing tape may help the suction cups adhere.
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Press both suction cups firmly into place. Hold onto your iPhone securely and close the handle of the iSclack to slightly separate the screen from the rear case of the phone.
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Insert an opening pick into the gap under the display on the lower edge of the iPhone.
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Skip the next two steps.
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If you're using a single suction handle, apply it to the bottom edge of the phone, as close to the edge as possible.
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Pull up on the suction cup with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap between the front panel and rear case.
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Insert an opening pick into the gap.
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Slide the opening pick around the bottom right corner and along the right edge of the iPhone, slicing through the adhesive holding the display in place.
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Re-insert your pick at the bottom left corner of the iPhone.
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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.
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Insert your pick into the right edge of the phone. Slide it around the top-right corner and across the top edge.
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Pull on the small nub on the suction cup to remove it from the front panel.
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If you used an iSclack and it's still affixed to the iPhone, remove it now.
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Open the iPhone by swinging the display up from the right side, like the front cover of a book.
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Lean the display against something to keep it propped up while you're working on the phone.
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Remove the 1.2 mm-long Y000 screw securing the battery and display connector cover.
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Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your iPhone.
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Use a spudger to pry the battery and OLED panel cable connectors up from their sockets on the logic board.
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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.
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Remove the three screws (securing the front sensor assembly cover):
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One PH000 1.4 mm-long screw
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One Y000 1.8 mm-long screw
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One Y000 1.2 mm-long screw
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Peel down the first battery adhesive pull-tab to un-stick it from the bottom edge of the battery.
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Grab the first pull-tab with a pair of tweezers or your fingers and slowly pull it away from the battery, toward the bottom of the iPhone 13 mini.
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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.
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Don't press down on the battery. Hold the iPhone firmly by its sides.
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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.
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Pull at a low angle so the strip doesn't snag on the edge of the battery.
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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.
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Grab the wide pull tab with blunt nose tweezers and slowly pull it away from the battery, toward the bottom of the iPhone.
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Grab the second pull-tab with your fingers and pull it away from the battery, toward the bottom of the iPhone.
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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.
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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.
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Grab the pull tab on the top with tweezers and slowly pull it away from the battery, toward the top of the iPhone.
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Using the same procedure as before, pull the remaining tab to stretch and remove the remaining adhesive strip holding the battery in place. Try not to snag the adhesive on anything.
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Wait about one minute for the alcohol solution to weaken the adhesive.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to gently lift the battery.
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Remove the battery.
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If there's any alcohol solution remaining in the phone, carefully wipe it off or allow it to air dry before installing your new battery.
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If possible, turn on your device and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing.
Secure the new battery with pre-cut adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape. In order to position it correctly, apply the new adhesive into the device at the places where the old adhesive was located, not directly onto the battery. Press the new battery firmly into place.
To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order. Apply new adhesive where necessary after cleaning the relevant areas with isopropyl alcohol (>90%).
For optimal performance, after completing this guide, calibrate your newly installed battery.
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 mini Answers community for help.
