crwdns2936637:0crwdne2936637:0 crwdns2853008:0crwdne2853008:0 crwdns2918746:0crwdne2918746:0

Wi-Fi only version of Apple's 2nd generation iPad Air. Model A1566.

crwdns2934591:020crwdne2934591:0 crwdns2934593:0crwdne2934593:0 | crwdns2947278:023crwdne2947278:0 crwdns2947270:0crwdne2947270:0

crwdns2933897:0crwdne2933897:0

half of "new" battery swelled up

I ordered a new battery and installation kit for my iPad Air2 a while back. It was sitting in a drawer while I was out of town for a couple weeks and when I went to go use it when I returned I found the device burst open because half of the battery swelled up dramatically. It worked just fine until this happened. Why would only one swell up? installation issue? or just happened that one of the pouches was destined to fail? I checked the warranty period is one year, but of course I ordered it a little over a year and a half ago. It worked great for about a year after I installed it. Any suggestions? just order a new battery again and hope for the best? I would think if it was something I did wrong they would both fail but I don't know.

Block Image
Block Image

Update (08/20/25)

Just thought I would add, the iPad was not plugged in while I was away. I don't recall what the state of charge was when I left. I typically charge it up then unplug it until it needs charging again. whatever happened in that pouch was pretty dramatic I'm glad it didn't burst and burn the house down! 💣😁

crwdns2934081:0crwdne2934081:0 crwdns2934083:0crwdne2934083:0 crwdns2934093:0crwdne2934093:0

crwdns2934109:0crwdne2934109:0

crwdns2853045:0crwdne2853045:0 crwdns2853046:0crwdne2853046:0
crwdns2889612:0crwdne2889612:0 0
crwdns2934285:0crwdne2934285:0

crwdns2933313:01crwdne2933313:0

crwdns2934221:0crwdne2934221:0
crwdns2931211:0crwdne2931211:0 crwdns2931215:0crwdne2931215:0 crwdns2934225:0crwdne2934225:0
crwdns2934051:0crwdne2934051:0

crwdns2933897:0crwdne2933897:0

No easy answer here storing a device with a Li Ion Batt is tricky! Ideally you want it about half charged and turned off fully. Press and hold the power button until the Power Off slider is shown and you slide it off. Now be careful you don't start it up until you need it.

Li Ion batts can create dendrites which short out the battery which in turn causes it to heat up, what you see is the out gassing of the electrolytic blowing up the batteries containment. Luckily, the battery did not rupture as the Lithium reaction with just the moisture in the air will ignite it.

It looks like the battery was not fully charged as the more stored power the hotter it will become.

So that leads to why this battery failed, it could have been damaged just in the process of installing it if you stuck it down and realized you made a mistake and pulled it out over bending it so the inner layers brought the anode and cathode plates too close. It's also possible the battery cell was bad but a full year out I would have expected it to fail within the year if that where the case.

I think you need to contact the iFixit Customer Service dept to see if they can help you, aim them to this question as you've already posted the pictures of the event.

I'm Sorry you encountered difficulties with the battery.

crwdns2934105:0crwdne2934105:0

crwdns2853045:0crwdne2853045:0 crwdns2853046:0crwdne2853046:0
crwdns2889612:0crwdne2889612:0 1

crwdns2944067:02crwdne2944067:0:

Thanks for the reply, to be honest I doubt the device was completely shut down when I left, so it probably did drain way down and I know that's not "good" for it but I still wouldn't expect that to cause it to blow up,

I was very careful installing the battery, it was over a year ago but I'm confident it didn't get bent or poked or anything. I remember I had to bend the old original battery more than I would have liked to remove it but the new one went in very nicely. I will contact customer service as you suggest, it is out of warranty so I wasn't going to bother but maybe they've heard of this happening before? Of course if they want to replace it or give me a deal on a new one I'll be a super happy customer ;)

crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0crwdne2934271:0

I went through the contact portion of the website and started going through forms but never made it to where I could send a message to an actual human who I could point to this thread. I put in my order number and it said I might get a discount on a new batt and that was it. Never found an actual email address.

Edit: after going through that process I got an email from support, I will try replying to that and point them to this thread.

crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0crwdne2934271:0

crwdns2934285:0crwdne2934285:0

crwdns2934229:0crwdne2934229:0

Eric Wonderlich Jr. crwdns2934231:0crwdne2934231:0
crwdns2936625:0crwdne2936625:0:

crwdns2936751:024crwdne2936751:0 0

crwdns2936753:07crwdne2936753:0 47

crwdns2936753:030crwdne2936753:0 47

crwdns2942667:0crwdne2942667:0 47