Apple Watch Series 3 Battery Replacement

Written By: Tobias Isakeit (and one other contributor)

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Apple Watch Series 3 Battery Replacement

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

1 - 3 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a worn-out battery in your Apple Watch Series 3.

Note: If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

Tools

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Parts

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Step 1 Power off your Apple Watch

Before starting repairs, take your watch off the charger and power it down.

If your touchscreen is broken and prevents powering off the watch, use this alternate method to power it down.

Before starting repairs, take your watch off the charger and power it down.
If your touchscreen is broken and prevents powering off the watch, use this alternate method to power it down.

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Step 2 Apply heat

Prepare an iOpener (or grab a hair dryer or heat gun) and heat the face of the watch until it's slightly too hot to touch.

Prepare an iOpener (or grab a hair dryer or heat gun) and heat the face of the watch until it's slightly too hot to touch.
Leave the iOpener on the watch for at least a minute to fully heat the screen and soften the adhesive holding it to the case.
You may need to reheat the iOpener, or move it around on the screen as sections cool, to heat the screen enough to pry it off.

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Step 3 Observe all warnings

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.

Protect your fingers by keeping them completely clear of the knife. If in doubt, protect your free hand with a heavy glove, such as a leather shop glove or gardening glove.

Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this might cause the knife to slip and cut you, or damage the watch.

Tool used on this step:

Safety Glasses

$3.99

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.
Protect your fingers by keeping them completely clear of the knife. If in doubt, protect your free hand with a heavy glove, such as a leather shop glove or gardening glove.
Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this might cause the knife to slip and cut you, or damage the watch.
Wear eye protection. The knife or glass may break, sending pieces flying.
Feel free to attach or remove the watch band as needed to provide more control as you make repairs.

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Step 4 Pry up the screen

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, closest to the digital crown.

Press firmly straight down into the gap.

Once inserted, tilt the blade to pry the display open slightly.

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, closest to the digital crown.
Press firmly straight down into the gap.
Once inserted, tilt the blade to pry the display open slightly.
Do not insert the knife more than 1/16th of an inch (~2 mm).

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Step 5

Once you've opened a small gap with the curved blade, remove the blade and insert the thinner edge of an opening tool into the gap.

Push the opening tool into the gap, using your thumb as a pivot to lift the display open a bit farther.

Once you've opened a small gap with the curved blade, remove the blade and insert the thinner edge of an opening tool into the gap.
Push the opening tool into the gap, using your thumb as a pivot to lift the display open a bit farther.
Don't try to fully open or detach the display yet.

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Step 6

Insert an opening pick under the display and carefully separate the Force Touch gasket from the display.

iFixit screen and battery repair kits include a replacement Force Touch gasket, so don't fret too much if yours is damaged.

Otherwise, to preserve the Force Touch gasket, pry carefully under the edge of the display. If the the Force Touch gasket splits when lifting the display, or if you separate the gasket layers, you'll also need to replace the Force Touch gasket itself.

Insert an opening pick under the display and carefully separate the Force Touch gasket from the display.
iFixit screen and battery repair kits include a replacement Force Touch gasket, so don't fret too much if yours is damaged.
Otherwise, to preserve the Force Touch gasket, pry carefully under the edge of the display. If the the Force Touch gasket splits when lifting the display, or if you separate the gasket layers, you'll also need to replace the Force Touch gasket itself.
Slide the pick around the display to separate the adhesive between the Force Touch gasket and the display.
Don't insert the opening pick deeper than 1/16th of an inch (~2 mm).

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Step 7

To avoid straining the display cables, don't open the display all the way yet.

Open the display to about a 45° angle, and use tweezers to peel off the adhesive between the display and the Force Touch gasket.

Thread the adhesive around and behind the display cables to get it off completely.

To avoid straining the display cables, don't open the display all the way yet.
Open the display to about a 45° angle, and use tweezers to peel off the adhesive between the display and the Force Touch gasket.
Thread the adhesive around and behind the display cables to get it off completely.

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Step 8 Battery Disconnection

Use a Y000 driver to remove the tri-point screw securing the metal cover plate.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the cover plate.

First open the plate all the way to unhinge the two flaps.

Use a Y000 driver to remove the tri-point screw securing the metal cover plate.
Use a pair of tweezers to remove the cover plate.
First open the plate all the way to unhinge the two flaps.
Then close it halfway to remove it completely by lifting it out.

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Step 9

On the GPS-only version it is possible to disconnect the battery immediately. For the cellular/LTE version, you need to disconnect the Force Touch gasket and fold it out of the way first, in order to disconnect the battery.

Disconnect the battery by prying its connector straight up.

Bend the connector up slightly to make sure it does not make contact by accident.

On the GPS-only version it is possible to disconnect the battery immediately. For the cellular/LTE version, you need to disconnect the Force Touch gasket and fold it out of the way first, in order to disconnect the battery.
Disconnect the battery by prying its connector straight up.
Bend the connector up slightly to make sure it does not make contact by accident.

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Step 10 Battery

Use scissors to cut one of your opening picks to about the width of the battery. Try not to leave any sharp corners.

Insert the modified pick between the edge of the battery and the case, on the side opposite the digital crown.

Use constant, steady pressure to slowly pry the battery up, separating it from the adhesive securing it to the system board.

Use scissors to cut one of your opening picks to about the width of the battery. Try not to leave any sharp corners.
Insert the modified pick between the edge of the battery and the case, on the side opposite the digital crown.
Use constant, steady pressure to slowly pry the battery up, separating it from the adhesive securing it to the system board.
If needed, you can also safely pry along the top edge of the battery, against the Taptic Engine.
Mind the display cables so you don't damage them when levering the battery out.
Make sure you don't puncture or deform the battery, as it can catch fire and/or explode if damaged.

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Step 11

Tool used on this step:

Tesa 61395 Tape

$5.99

Remove the battery.
Be sure to remove the protective liner to expose the adhesive on your new battery before you set it in place.
If needed, try re-using the existing adhesive to secure the battery. Alternatively, try a small piece of double-sided tape such as Tesa 61395, or a dab of liquid adhesive such as E6000.
If you're using an iFixit repair kit, proceed to the guide linked in the conclusion below to install a new Force Touch sensor and re-seal your watch.
Alternatively, if you are just replacing the adhesive and not the sensor, see the adhesive replacement guide for applying new adhesive and then reassembling.