Apple Watch Series 3 Battery Disconnection - prereq

Written By: Tobias Isakeit

Comments: 4

Apple Watch Series 3 Battery Disconnection - prereq

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

No estimate

Introduction

Tools

Step 1

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.

Pictures are the GPS version. Cellular doesn’t have the gap and separate removable plate on the “taptic engine” section.

Ryan Holt - 07/10/19

What if I’m unable to unscrew the screw? I’m using the right tool, but it just won’t do it. It feels like it can’t “lock in” if you know what I mean in order to be able to get enough grip to turn the screw. Any suggestions?

Cade Capper - 02/11/20

Once you have the driver set properly in the screw you have to lean into it to get it to turn. The screw is coated with LockTight.

mailghall -

Step 2

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.