Home/ Repair guides/ iPhone 12 Battery Replacement

Official iFixit API visual reference

iPhone 12 Battery Replacement

iPhone batteries are rated to hold 80% of their...

Apple iPhone 12 Moderate 1 - 2 hours Guide 140588

Licensed iFixit integration

This attributed iFixit guide is displayed through Fixonic's recorded commercial API permission. iFixit remains the independent source and author of the procedure.

Guide overview

Before you begin

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 to like-new performance. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions. Note: On iOS 17.6 and earlier, your iPhone may display a warning about the “genuineness” of the battery after the repair, even when using original Apple parts. If your iPhone functions normally, you can safely ignore the warning. On iOS 18 and newer, authenticate your new battery using Apple's Repair Assistant. 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%.

Step 1

Eject the SIM card tray

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP SIM Card Eject Tool Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Insert a SIM card eject tool or a paperclip into the small hole in the SIM card tray, located on the volume button edge of the iPhone.
Press firmly to eject the tray.

Step 2

Remove the SIM card tray

⌕

Remove the SIM card tray from the iPhone.
The SIM card will fall out of the tray easily.
When reinserting the SIM card, make sure it's in the proper orientation inside the tray.
A thin rubber gasket around the SIM tray provides water and dust protection. If this gasket is damaged or missing, replace the gasket or the entire SIM tray to protect your iPhone's internal components.

Step 3

Remove the pentalobe screws

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

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 6.75 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.

Step 4

Mark your opening picks

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

If inserted too far, an opening pick can damage your device. Follow this step to mark your pick and prevent damage.
Measure 3 mm from the tip and mark the opening pick with a permanent marker.
You can also mark the other corners of the pick with different measurements.
Alternatively, tape a coin to a pick 3 mm from the tip.

Step 5

Tape over any cracks

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Glass shards can complicate disassembly—or worse, cause injury. If your phone has a cracked screen, follow this step.
Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from any glass shaken free during the repair.
Apply strips of packing tape to the cracked glass until the whole screen is covered—this will help keep the glass contained and allow the suction cup to stick to the screen.
Make sure there's a single strip (not overlapping) of tape across the bottom edge, big enough for a suction cup to fit on.
If you can't get the suction cup to stick in the next few steps, fold a strong piece of tape (such as duct tape) into a handle and lift the screen with that instead.
If all else fails, you can superglue the suction cup to the screen.

Step 6

Screen damage warning

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

To avoid damaging your screen in the next steps, note the following:
There's a plastic bezel on the underside of the screen. Your opening pick will go underneath this bezel.
There's a seam between the plastic bezel and the display panel. Don't insert your pick here or you'll damage the screen.
Sometimes the display panel separates from the bezel before you even get a chance to insert a pick. This may be unavoidable depending on the condition of the adhesive. In this case, you’ll most likely need to replace your entire screen.

Step 7

Anti-Clamp instructions

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

The next three steps demonstrate the Anti-Clamp, a tool we designed to make the opening procedure easier. If you aren't using the Anti-Clamp, skip down three steps for an alternate method.
For complete instructions on how to use the Anti-Clamp, check out this guide.
Pull the blue handle backwards to unlock the Anti-Clamp's arms.
Slide the arms over either the left or right edge of your iPhone.
Position the suction cups near the bottom edge of the iPhone—one on the front, and one on the back.
Squeeze the cups together to apply suction to the desired area.
If you find that the surface of your iPhone is too slippery for the Anti-Clamp to hold onto, you can use tape to create a grippier surface.

Step 8

Repair step

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Pull the blue handle forwards to lock the arms.
Turn the handle clockwise 360 degrees or until the cups start to stretch.
Make sure the suction cups remain aligned with each other. If they begin to slip out of alignment, loosen the suction cups slightly and realign the arms.

Step 9

Repair step

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Support your iPhone on something sturdy such as a hardcover book so it rests hands-free and parallel to the ground; this makes it easier to work with in the following steps.
Use a hair dryer to heat along the bottom edge of the iPhone. The screen should feel slightly too hot to touch.
For complete instructions on how to use a hair dryer, check out this guide.
Wait one minute to give the adhesive a chance to release and present an opening gap.
Insert an opening pick under the screen's plastic bezel when the Anti-Clamp creates a large enough gap.
If the Anti-Clamp doesn't create a sufficient gap, apply more heat to the area and rotate the handle a quarter turn.
Don't crank more than a quarter turn at a time, and wait one minute between turns. Let the Anti-Clamp and time do the work for you.
Skip the next three steps.

Step 10

Heat the bottom edge

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Heat Gun Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use a hair dryer or heat gun to heat the bottom half of the screen until it’s slightly too hot to touch. This softens the adhesive securing it.
Improper use of a heat gun can destroy the display and/or battery—review this guide for instructions. To prevent screen damage, keep your heat source moving rather than focused on one spot.
For tips on using a hair dryer to soften adhesive, check out this guide.

Step 11

Apply a suction cup

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Apply a suction handle to the bottom edge of the screen.

Step 12

Screen information

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

To avoid damaging your screen in the next step, note the following:
There's a plastic bezel on the underside of the screen. Your opening pick will go underneath this bezel.
There's a seam between the plastic bezel and the display panel. Don't insert your pick here or you'll damage the screen.
Sometimes the display panel separates from the bezel before you even get a chance to insert a pick. This may be unavoidable depending on the condition of the adhesive. In this case, you’ll most likely need to replace your entire screen.

Step 13

Lift the screen slightly

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Suction Handle Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Pull up on the suction handle with firm, constant pressure to create a slight gap under the screen’s plastic bezel.
The adhesive holding the screen in place is very strong. If you're having a hard time, be patient, apply more heat, and try again.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.
Remember to insert the opening pick under the thick plastic bezel to avoid damaging your screen.

Step 14

Separate the bottom edge adhesive

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Don't insert your opening pick deeper than 3 mm along the bottom edge.
Slide your pick back and forth along the bottom edge to separate the adhesive.
Leave your pick inserted in the bottom right corner to prevent the adhesive from re-sealing.

Step 15

Heat the right edge

⌕

Use a hair dryer to heat the right edge of the iPhone (the edge with the power button) until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.

Step 16

Separate the right adhesive

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Slide the opening pick around the bottom right corner of the iPhone to separate its adhesive.
Continue sliding up the right edge of the iPhone until you reach the top right corner.
Don't insert your pick more than 3 mm, as you may damage internal components.
Leave the pick in the top right corner before continuing.

Step 17

Heat the top edge

⌕

Use a hair dryer to heat the top edge of the iPhone until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.

Step 18

Separate the top adhesive

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Slide the opening pick around the top right corner of the iPhone to separate the top adhesive.
Don't insert your pick more than 3 mm, as you may damage the top sensors.
Leave the pick in the top left corner before continuing.

Step 19

Heat the left edge

⌕

Use a hair dryer to heat the left edge of the iPhone until the screen is slightly too hot to touch.

Step 20

Separate the left adhesive

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Don't insert your pick deeper than 2 mm along the left edge to avoid the two cables connecting the screen to the phone.
Rotate your pick around the top left corner of the screen.
Slide your pick down the left edge of the screen to separate the adhesive.
If you're having trouble separating the adhesive, reheat the left edge.

Step 21

Open the iPhone

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Rotate your iPhone so the right edge faces you.
Open the 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 22

Unscrew the battery and display connector cover

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Remove two 1.1 mm long Y000 screws securing the battery and display 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 23

Remove the battery and display connector cover

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Remove the cover.

Step 24

Disconnect the battery

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use 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 25

Disconnect the display cable

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the display cable connector.
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 26

Disconnect the digitizer cable

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the digitizer cable connector.
If any part of your screen doesn't respond to touch after your repair, disconnect the battery and then re-seat this connector, making sure it clicks fully into place and that there's no dust or other obstruction in the socket.

Step 27

Unscrew the front sensor connector cover

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use a Y000 driver to remove four screws securing the front sensor connector cover.
Three 1.1 mm long screws
One 1.4 mm long screw

Step 28

Remove the front sensor connector cover

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Swing the cover up from the left until the small clip on the right unhooks.
Remove the cover.
During reassembly, insert the clip on the right edge into its slot first, then hinge the rest of the cover into place.

Step 29

Disconnect the front sensors

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use a spudger or a fingernail to disconnect the front sensor assembly cable connector.

Step 30

Remove the display assembly

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

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

Step 31

Unscrew the loudspeaker

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use a Phillips driver to remove the four 1.6 mm screws securing the loudspeaker.

Step 32

Remove the loudspeaker

⌕

Remove the loudspeaker.

Step 33

Unscrew the SIM card reader connector cover

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use a Y000 driver to remove the two 1.4 mm long screws securing the SIM card reader connector cover.

Step 34

Remove the SIM card reader cable connector cover

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Remove the SIM card reader cable connector cover.

Step 35

Disconnect the SIM card reader

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use the point of a spudger to pry the SIM card reader cable connector straight up and out of its socket on the logic board.

Step 36

Unscrew the SIM card reader

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use a Y000 driver to remove the three screws securing the SIM card reader.
Two 1.4 mm screws
One 1.1 mm screw

Step 37

Remove the Taptic Engine cable connector bracket

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Remove the Taptic Engine cable connector bracket.

Step 38

Unscrew the SIM card reader

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use a standoff or a small flathead driver to remove the 2.82 mm long standoff screw securing the SIM card reader.
Standoff screws are best removed using a standoff screwdriver or bit.
In a pinch, a small flathead screwdriver will do the job—but use extra caution to ensure it doesn't slip and damage surrounding components.

Step 39

Remove the SIM card reader

⌕

Remove the SIM card reader.
Before reinstallation, make sure the SIM eject plunger is pushed into the edge of the phone.

Step 40

Disconnect the Taptic Engine

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Use the point of a spudger to pry the Taptic Engine cable connector straight up and out of its socket on the logic board.

Step 41

Unscrew the Taptic Engine

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP P2 Pentalobe Screwdriver iPhone Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Phillips #00 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Remove the three screws securing the Taptic Engine.
Two 2.8 mm long standoff screws
One 1.8 mm Phillips screw

Step 42

Remove the Taptic Engine

⌕

Remove the Taptic Engine.

Step 43

Locate the adhesive pull-tabs

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

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 44

Remove the stretch-release adhesive

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Peel down the first battery adhesive pull-tab to un-stick it from 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 45

Repair step

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Peel down the second battery adhesive pull-tab to un-stick it from the bottom edge of the battery.

Step 46

Repair step

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Grab the first pull-tab with your fingers 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 47

Repair step

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Tweezers Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Grab the second pull-tab with your fingers 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.

Step 48

Repair step

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Peel up the two remaining battery adhesive pull-tabs to un-stick them from the top edge of the battery.

Step 49

Repair step

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Using the same procedure as before, pull the remaining two tabs, one at a time, to stretch and remove the remaining adhesive strip 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 50

How to remove a stuck battery

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP Spudger Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

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 51

Remove the battery

⌕

TOOL USED ON THIS STEP iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6) Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

Remove the battery.
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.
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.