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Published on: 01.03.2024 | updated on: 02.04.2024
Whether your iPad is a source of entertainment or a productivity tool, it's battery-powered—and that means it won't last forever. It could be due to external factors or due to age, but the fact is that all iPad batteries will eventually begin to fail, and when that happens, it's time to act.
You should know the signs of a battery that is on its way out, and what to do when you hit the point where you think it's ready to be repaired or replaced. We're here to help you learn everything you need to know about iPad battery replacement.
While it's possible to replace your iPad's battery yourself, those tablets are expensive, and sometimes delicate, pieces of machinery. It may be easier and cost you less in the long run if you let an expert take care of it.
Some of the signs indicating that your iPad may need a new battery include:
Overheating
Refusing to turn on
Swelling at the back of the chassis
The battery can be replaced or repaired, and this can be done at home as well as by professionals in a trustworthy repair store.
There are different ways that your iPad can tell you that it's getting time to take action. Here are some of the things that can happen that are worth paying attention to.
An iPad battery that is overheating, making your device feel warm to the touch, or causing swollen battery deformations, should be addressed quickly. Waiting too long to get this fixed can end up permanently damaging other hardware components inside your iPad.
If your iPad battery won't hold a charge, this can make it difficult to use. Certain activities cause the battery to drain faster, but if your iPad's running out of battery after a short text conversation or a single video, it spells trouble.
As a battery begins to degrade, you will find that it charges more slowly. This doesn't automatically mean that you need to replace it, but it's most likely not going to get better by itself, so you'll eventually have to act.
If your iPad won't turn on at all, the cause may lie in battery-related problems. However, the battery may be just one of many components responsible for this, ranging from the processor to the charging port.
You can tell that your iPad battery is near the point of needing replacement when you start to notice the signs above. This means overheating, problems with charging, or performance drops. You should also consider it if your iPad begins shutting down unexpectedly.
To decide if you should have your iPad repaired or replaced, consider the cost of the repair versus the replacement. Oftentimes, it's not even a serious consideration—batteries are best replaced rather than repaired. However, if you're using a new iPad and experiencing small issues, you might get away with repairing the battery.
This depends on your personal situation with your iPad. If you believe the device will continue to have a long life once you have replaced the battery and there are no other issues influencing the decision, replacing or repairing it may be your best bet. After all, a new iPad will cost you a few hundred dollars, whereas a battery replacement is much cheaper.
There are pros and cons to both fixing your iPad battery by yourself and having a professional do it.
Below, we'll look at a few from both sides, starting with the pros and cons of Do-It-Yourself iPad battery replacement.
Pros
Potentially lower cost
Ease of doing it at home
Cons
No professional expertise
Difficulty troubleshooting issues
Voids warranty
Could potentially damage your iPad
There are also pros and cons to having a professional perform the repair for you.
Pros
Post-repair warranty
Guarantee that your iPad will come out unscathed
Quality assurance from an expert
Professional quality tools
Cons
Potentially higher cost than a DIY kit
Possible wait time if the repair store is busy
Having your iPad battery replacement done by an expert can give you more peace of mind than fixing it yourself and not being entirely certain you've done the best job.
The best option for fixing your iPad battery is Simply Fixable. With Simply Fixable, you can rest assured that your iPad will be handled by trained professionals with years of expertise in the industry, all thanks to Simply Fixable's thorough vetting system. The repair isn't just high quality and cheap—it also comes with a 90-day warranty.
Taking your iPad back to Apple is an alternative, but it's mostly recommended if your device is covered under AppleCare+.
Once you've decided to go for a broken iPad battery replacement, you can begin to assess the costs.
Getting your iPad fixed with Simply Fixable is affordable and quick. The cheapest iPad battery replacement with Simply Fixable starts at just $75, and the price goes up to $159, for an average of $119. Meanwhile, Apple pricing starts at $99 and goes up to $119 or more, which adds up to an average of $111.
The exact price ranges depend on the specific device model, but also the kind of damage your iPad may have sustained.
The actual battery replacement time does not take long, though other factors influence the wait time. Through Simply Fixable, damaged iPad battery replacement can be safely done in under two hours.
If you have a warranty through AppleCare+, you may be able to get your iPad battery replaced at a drastically reduced fee. On the other hand, getting your iPad fixed by Simply Fixable gives you an extra 90-day warranty on the repairs.
To choose the best repair shop for your broken iPad battery repair, call around and get cost estimates. This may involve giving details about your device, your time requirements, and your budget.
Services like Simply Fixable can help you find the best option for you. With over 2,000 locations all over the United States, Simply Fixable is an easy way to get iPad repairs in your local area.
With insurance through AppleCare+, your damaged iPad battery repair may be covered and should only cost $29. If you do not have AppleCare+, your iPad battery repair or replacement will cost you between $99 and $179. The final price depends on your iPad model.
While it may not be the easiest task for an absolute beginner, there are ways to teach yourself how to replace an iPad battery. If you'd like to learn more about this, check out our comprehensive guide to DIY iPad battery replacement.
Apple also offers a Self-Service Repair Kit that can help you get the repairs done by yourself.
A DIY battery replacement can cost you between $20 and $40 for the cost of the new battery itself, plus the cost of buying the specialized tools required for the task. Batteries made for the newest iPads, such as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, may cost significantly more.
It all depends on how comfortable you are with the process. Someone familiar with taking electronics apart and putting them back together will have a much easier time. If you are less familiar, do not rush the process and dedicate anywhere between 2 and 5 hours to complete the task.
This also varies from person to person depending on how tech-savvy you are. For most users, it's a fairly intimidating process, especially considering the fact that iPads are expensive.
Each distinct model of iPad is different when it comes to cost and time to replace the battery.
The iPad Pro is the most premium tablet in Apple's arsenal, but that doesn't make its battery unbreakable.
To get your iPad Pro battery replaced through Simply Fixable, you will pay between $121 and $154. This comes out to an average of around $137. Apple charges between $99 and $119, for an average of $109, but this cost may change if there are additional issues with the tablet.
The specific amount of time may vary depending on how extensive the damage to the battery is, and how long of a repair list the technician has to go through. Through Simply Fixable, repairing your broken iPad Pro battery should take no more than two hours.
If your iPad Air battery starts to falter, it can be fixed easily, but it's one of the pricier tablets to repair.
Getting your iPad Air battery will only cost you between $112 and $163 if you work with Simply Fixable, which comes to an average cost of just $139. Apple has a flat $119 fee for replacing the battery in an iPad Air. However, keep in mind that the final quote might be different depending on part availability and the extent of the repairs.
Replacing the battery on your iPad Air may take up to two hours at most professional repair services.
The iPad mini may be a more compact device than the other iPad models that Apple offers, but even the pint-sized tablet can develop battery issues over time.
Getting your iPad mini battery replacement done through Simply Fixable is the cheapest option on the market. For some models, the cost is as low as $75, while for others it can go up to $113. This is an average repair cost of only $94.
Meanwhile, Apple charges $119 for iPad mini battery repairs.
iPad battery replacement generally takes the same amount of time for the entire product stack. It'll take about two hours on the iPad mini.
The process involves removing the screen from the casing using specialized tools, disconnecting various cables, and removing internal components to access the battery.
You then replace the old battery with the new one, followed by reconnecting the cables and replacing the inner workings of the iPad. Finally, reattach the display then test the iPad to see if your repair has worked.
Replacing your iPad battery by yourself certainly comes with some risks. Choosing to break open the chassis voids your warranty, which means Apple will no longer pay for any other issues, even if they stem from manufacturing faults.
You also run the risk of damaging some of the more fragile parts of the iPad, like the logic board or any of the delicate cables connecting things like the soundboard and the charging port. Reattaching and reconnecting the various parts can be confusing if you're not an expert, too.
Paying a qualified professional mitigates most of the risks, and most iPads come back from the repair feeling almost brand new.
If you have AppleCare+ as an insurance plan, you can file a claim for your broken iPad battery by reporting the damage to Apple through its website.
If your iPad is old enough that other components may also naturally begin to wear out (like the charging port or the screen) then it may save you money in the long run to just purchase a new one.
However, if your device is fairly new or you feel confident that the battery is the only issue you're having, replacing it can extend the life of your iPad by years.
Choosing not to fix a broken iPad battery means that it will continue to degrade. Once a battery hits a low enough point of degradation, it will no longer hold a charge and will be prone to regular unexpected shutdowns. Your iPad may also begin to overheat, potentially damaging its internal hardware.
To keep your iPad nice and happy for many years to come, make sure to do the following:
Stay up to date with iPadOS patches
Do not use your iPad when out in the sun
Don't use the device when it's charging
Try to charge it before the battery hits 20%, but stop before it reaches 80%
Do not charge your iPad overnight
iPad batteries do wear out. How long it takes them to wear out depends on how heavy the usage of the iPad is and the number of charging cycles it's already gone through.
iPad batteries can be replaced. Your best bet for doing this is to work with Simply Fixable, which offers industry-leading rates and works with experienced technicians.
The average lifespan of an iPad's battery can be anywhere between 2 and 5 years. Keep in mind that this is only average, though.
If you use your iPad frequently, including resource-heavy apps like games and videos, your iPad's battery may not last as long. Environmental factors, such as exposing your device to high temperatures, can also make a difference.
Checking battery health on an iPad is not as straightforward as on iPhones, as iPads do not have the Battery Health feature that iPhones do. You can find it in Analytics logs by following the path: Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements: Share iPad Analytics (toggle this to on) > Analytics Data. In the most recent log, you'll be able to find information about battery health.
Apple has mechanisms in place to prevent overcharging, but it's still better not to do it. We recommend only charging your tablet until 80% and never leaving it plugged in overnight.
You do not have to shut your iPad down every single night when you are finished using it, but it's helpful to the battery life and overall performance if your iPad gets to rest sometimes.
Not using your iPad for an extended period of time should not damage the battery's overall health, though you may find that even while off your battery still drains slowly over time.
There is no one set answer to how long a 100% charge on an iPad's battery will last. This depends on how old the device is, what model it is, and what capacity the battery is at. However, you can count on it generally lasting somewhere between a few hours to a full day while on a complete charge.
Your iPad comes with built-in diagnostic tools. You can find these in the settings under Diagnostics and Usage Data. There are also third-party apps that you can install, but make sure to check the reviews and verify that they're safe to use.
It's not exactly bad, but it's also not great. Ideally, try to unplug your iPad before it hits that point.
It's best not to leave your iPad charging overnight. Instead, try to charge it when you're awake and stop the charging process before or at 80%.
With the normal AppleCare plan, you will have to pay a fee for your battery to be replaced. The exception to this is if your battery is malfunctioning due to a manufacturing error.
Apple does offer a more expensive warranty plan called AppleCare+, under which the iPad battery replacement would be covered completely, although you may still have to pay a small fee.
To have your iPad battery repaired through Apple, the company will charge you an average of $111. The specific cost depends on the type of iPad that you have and whether any other parts of it have been damaged by the broken battery. The different iPad model repairs can run between $99 and $119.
Like any other electronic device, your iPad needs a functional battery to keep working. Fortunately, iPad battery replacements are among the cheapest (and most common) repairs that any Apple device can ever go through.
If you want to ensure that your iPad comes back to you in perfect condition, find a local repair store through Simply Fixable. With Simply Fixable, you can rest assured that the repairs will be handled by industry-leading experts—all at an affordable price. Get in touch today to get your iPad fixed!
Expertise: Technology, PC Hardware, Software, Gaming
Linkedin: Monica J.White
Monica is a journalist with a lifelong interest in technology. Monica attended King's College London and obtained her bachelor's degree in English Language and Linguistics. She then went on to get a master's at that same university, this time focusing on Global Media Industries. She first started writing over ten years ago and has made a career out of it, with a special focus on PCs and mobile devices. She enjoys the challenge of explaining complex topics to a broader audience, whether it's how semiconductors work or how to troubleshoot a tablet. Her work has previously appeared in Digital Trends, Tom's Hardware, Pay.com, SlashGear, Forbes, Springboard, Looper, Money, WePC, and more.
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