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Use this guide to replace a worn-out or dead battery in your Apple Watch Series 7.
Note: The battery replacement procedure for the 41 mm Series 7 Apple Watch differs slightly from the 45 mm version. This guide shows how to replace the battery for both sizes.
Before you begin, make sure you have the appropriate replacement battery for your watch. You will only need a Tri-point Y000 screwdriver during the battery replacement in the 45 mm model.
If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions. For your safety, discharge your battery below 25% before disassembling your device. This reduces the risk of fire if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair.
This guide shows the procedure on the cellular/LTE version of the watch, but the GPS-only version is similar.
You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach components when reassembling the device.
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Before starting repairs, take your watch off the charger and power it down.
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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.
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Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the screen for at least two minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath.
Can confirm that if you want this to work, pop the iopener in for around 45seconds and then let it sit on the watch for 6 minutes, 2 minutes is just not enough.
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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, most distant to the digital crown.
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Once inserted, tilt the blade to pry the display open slightly and create a gap between the screen and the watch body.
Tried this for almost an hour, and I could not lift the display off at all. Broke the screen and chipped pieces of the screen as well.
Yeah prolly gonna suggest an actual spudger for this step, or to be more detailed. Kept reheating the IOpener every 10mins keeping the watch under it for 5mins etc and it never budged after 3 hours of fiddling. Eventually broke the fine edge of the blade and scratched the casing, now the blade can't catch the groove and $8 down the drain.
As experienced with the user above I tried heating it up with the IOpener 6x every 10 mins and it’s still tough to open. At first I left it a full 10 minutes to try and soften the adhesive. Then the advised 1 min and 30. it still won’t lift up. A spudger will definitely help but will prolly break it if pulled too much.
Four rounds with the iOpener I got it open... but then.... a cascade of errors...
At some point while opening I saw a flash of lines across the screen. Significant?
Cleaned adhesive off the case and screen for an hour with Q tips and alcohol... perfect...
The replacement adhesive was not like in the photo, the tab to peel it was on a different corner, not a good start, it was very hard to position maybe easier for a lefty. Since it was so difficult to position, the blue protective cover was gone by the time It was well positioned with a spudger so once it was ready to test, it was sealed and the question will always be, is a cable unseated or was the display damaged opening it as it failed, it's awake, display is dark, it vibrates and makes noises with find my, but...
So I tried to reopen it and check the cables and the glass popped off the OLED, the new adhesive which I worked so hard to ensure integrity for unfortunately gripped way too well. I'll have to destroy it to pull off the display. :(
No dice. Used the iOpener three times, then cut my finger open because there was no good place to hold the watch when the blade slipped. I give up.
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Insert an opening pick in the gap your created.
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Slide the opening pick along the short edge of the watch to slice the adhesive.
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Slide the opening pick around the corner and along the long edge on the opposite side of the watch crown to slice the display adhesive.
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Slide the opening pick around the corner to slice the remaining adhesive on the short edge of the watch next to the watch crown.
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Lift the display and carefully pull it towards the watch crown.
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Swing the display open to an upward position.
Hallo, ich habe leider beim Ausbau des Displays das Flexkabel beschädigt was zum Akku führt. Wie lässt sich dieses Kabel denn bitte tauschen? LG Thomas
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Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the rear side of your Apple Watch for at least two minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath the battery.
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Insert an opening pick between watch body and the long edge of the battery.
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Use constant, steady pressure to slowly pry up the battery.
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Carefully lift and swing the battery out of its recess and place it next to the watch body.
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Use a pair of tweezers to peel the black protective tape off the ZIF connector.
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Use one arm of your tweezers or the pointed end of a spudger to pry up the lock bar on the ZIF connector securing the battery cable.
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Use a pair of tweezers to pull the battery cable out of the battery ZIF connector.
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Remove the battery.
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Insert an opening pick between watch body and the long edge of the battery.
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Use constant, steady pressure to slowly pry up the battery.
Not a very good approach. Damaged back cover flex cable using triangular opening pick.
Battery is well glued to motherboard and opening pick has just too little contact point.Better to start with metal prying tool from taptic engine side adding some drops of isopropyl alcohol from time to time.
And of course take your time.
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Carefully lift and swing the battery out of its recess and place it next to the watch body.
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Use a Tri-Point Y000 screwdriver to remove the 1.1 mm-long screw securing the battery connector bracket.
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Use a pair of tweezers to remove the battery connector bracket.
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Use a spudger to disconnect the battery cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.
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Remove the battery.
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If possible, turn on your device and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
For optimal performance, calibrate your newly installed battery after completing this guide.
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 Answers community for help.
If possible, turn on your device and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
For optimal performance, calibrate your newly installed battery after completing this guide.
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 Answers community for help.
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Is it still waterproof after that? I swim daily. Watch is 2.5 years old doing great but the battery is at 76%.
Will the adhesive on the screen seal back up good enough?
Hi Matt,
retaining water resistance after the repair depends on how clean the mating surfaces are and how accurately the adhesive is reapplied. Your device will lose its factory-given IP (Ingress Protection) rating. Personally I wouldn‘t advise to go swimming with the watch after resealing it with tape.
if the socket that the battery plugs into breaks, is that something worth paying to fix, or should i just buy a new watch?
Bravissimo,tutto molto chiaro.
will battery health show 100% after the replacement battery is installed? or will it still show service recommended? thanks!
Accidentally peeled the glass off instead of the entire display. Will I need to replace the display now or can the glass be affixed again?
Can you use iFixit's jimmy tool (Jimmy) instead of the curved razor blade to pry open the case?
