Introduction
Use this guide to replace a worn-out or dead battery in your Apple Watch SE.
Before you begin, make sure you have the appropriate replacement battery for your watch (the battery from the Apple Watch Series 5 is identical to the SE battery).
If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions. For your safety, discharge your battery below 25% before disassembling your watch. This reduces the risk of a dangerous thermal event if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair.
You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach components when reassembling the device.
-
-
Before starting repairs, take your watch off the charger and power it down.
-
If your touchscreen is broken and you can't power off the watch, use this alternate method to power it down.
-
-
-
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.
-
-
-
Prepare an iOpener (or use a hair dryer or heat gun) and heat the face of the watch to loosen the display adhesive.
-
Leave the iOpener on the watch for at least two minutes to fully heat the screen and soften the adhesive holding it to the case.
-
-
-
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.
-
-
-
Insert an opening pick in the gap you've created.
-
Slide the opening pick along the short edge of the watch to cut the adhesive.
-
-
-
Slide the opening pick around the corner and along the long edge where the crown is located to cut the display adhesive.
-
-
-
Slide the opening pick around the corner to cut the remaining adhesive on the short edge farthest away from the crown.
-
-
-
Place the watch on a flat surface and use an opening pick to slice through any remaining adhesive.
-
Slide an opening pick under the opposite display edge of the watch crown.
-
-
-
Reinsert the opening pick on the short edge of the watch, next to the watch crown.
-
Twist the opening pick to loosen the display off the watch case.
-
-
-
Lift the display and carefully pull it in direction of the short edge farthest away from the crown.
-
Swing the display open to an upward position.
-
-
-
Prepare an iOpener (or use a hair dryer or heat gun) and heat the rear side of the watch to loosen the battery adhesive. Leave the iOpener on the watch for at least two minutes.
-
-
-
Lift the screen until there's enough space to access the battery.
-
Insert an opening pick between the battery and the Taptic Engine.
-
-
-
Slide the opening pick along the edge of the battery to loosen the adhesive.
-
Use constant, steady pressure to slowly pry the battery up, separating it from the adhesive securing it to the mainboard.
-
-
-
Use a pair of tweezers to carefully free the battery connector by peeling off the overlapping foil.
-
If possible, turn on your device and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing.
Secure the new battery with pre-cut adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape. In order to position it correctly, apply the new adhesive into the device at the places where the old adhesive was located, not directly onto the battery. Press the new battery firmly into place.
To reassemble your Apple Watch Series SE, follow these instructions in reverse order. Apply a little bit of high isopropyl alcohol (>90%) to a Q-tip or use a cleaning pad to gently remove the leftover adhesive on the edges of the watch case and the screen before installing new adhesive.
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.
