Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm) Battery Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

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Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm) Battery Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a dead or worn-out battery in your Apple Watch Series 9 (41mm) smartwatch. Look on the bottom of your watch to see what size you have.

Lithium-ion batteries have a limited lifespan. If your watch doesn't hold a charge or dies unexpectedly, it might be time to replace the battery.

If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

You'll need replacement screen and battery adhesive to complete this repair.

Tools

Parts

Tesa 61395 Tape

Step 1

Before starting this repair, remove your watch from the charger and let its battery drain completely—the watch should shut down from low battery. A charged lithium‑ion battery may catch fire if damaged.
Letting the battery drain completely also prevents accidentally turning your watch back on when gripping it during repair.

Step 2

Throughout the rest of your repair:
Attach and remove the watch bands as needed to get a better grip or stabilize your watch.
To remove a band, firmly press in the small, oval button on the underside of the watch and slide the band out of its groove.
Consider placing your watch on something soft like a clean cloth to help stabilize it and prevent damage.

Step 3

If inserted too far, an opening pick can damage your watch. Follow this step to mark your pick and prevent damage.
Measure 3 mm from the tip and mark the opening pick with a permanent marker.
Alternatively, tape a coin to a pick 3 mm from the tip.

Step 4

Strong adhesive secures the perimeter of the screen to the frame. Heating the screen softens the adhesive, making it easier to separate.
Heat an iOpener and lay it on the screen for two minutes to soften its adhesive.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer or heat gun—but be careful as extreme heat can damage the screen and/or battery.

Step 5

The gap between the screen and frame is extremely small. You'll need a thin tool such as an iFlex to create an initial gap.
Don't grip the iFlex or similar metal tools by the edges—they're very sharp. Consider wearing gloves to protect your hands.
Insert the iFlex at a downward angle between the bottom edge of the screen and frame.

Step 6

Prying up the screen may take multiple attempts. If you're having trouble, apply more heat and try again.
With one hand, push down firmly on the watch's frame to secure it in place.
With your free hand, hold the iFlex and push the edges up to make it more rigid.
The iFlex should be slightly "U" shaped.
Pry up the screen enough for the iFlex to lay flat on its own.
The iFlex doesn't need to be inserted far, as it can easily damage the screen cables near the bottom right corner of the watch.
Leave the iFlex inserted under the screen.

Step 7

Do not insert your opening pick more than 3 mm under the screen when separating the adhesive, as you risk damaging your watches internals.
Keep the iFlex flat to maintain a gap between the screen and frame while inserting an opening pick.
Insert an opening pick between the screen and iFlex.
Remove the iFlex.

Step 8

Slide the opening pick along the bottom edge to separate the adhesive securing it.

Step 9

Slide the opening pick around the bottom left corner and up the left edge to separate the adhesive.

Step 10

Slide the opening pick around the top left corner and along the top edge to separate the adhesive.

Step 11

Slide the opening pick around the top right corner and stop at the top of the side button.
Don't slide your pick past the side button—you risk damage to the screen cables.

Step 12

Insert the long edge of an opening pick between the left edge of the screen and frame.
Twist the pick to lift the screen and separate any remaining adhesive.

Step 13

Pull the right edge of the screen over the digital crown.
If the screen feels stuck, go back around it with an opening pick to separate any adhesive.
Swing up the left edge of the screen so it's upright. The screen should be to the right of the digital crown.
During reassembly:
This is a good point to plug in your watch and test all functions before sealing it up. Be sure to power it back down completely before you continue working.
Follow this guide to apply new screen adhesive and reseal your watch.

Step 14

Heating the battery will soften the strong adhesive securing it, making the battery easier to remove.
Heat an iOpener and lay it on the battery for two minutes to soften the adhesive.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer or heat gun—but be careful as extreme heat can damage the battery.

Step 15

Insert an opening pick between the bottom edge of the battery and frame.
Pry up the battery with the opening pick until it starts to separate from the frame.
This requires time and constant pressure. If you're having trouble, apply more heat and try again.
Slide the pick farther under the battery and lift until all the adhesive is separated.

Step 16

Be careful not to strain or tear the battery cable during the rest of your repair.
Lift and rotate the battery so its edge with the cable rests on the bottom edge of the watch.
During the remaining steps, keep the battery propped up against the bottom edge while you work.

Step 17

Even though the Series 9 battery is encased in metal, be careful with sharp tools—a punctured battery may leak dangerous chemicals or cause a fire.
Use one arm of angled tweezers to gently lift the tape from the top right corner of the battery.

Step 18

Use tweezers to remove the tape from the left edge of the battery.

Step 19

Light adhesive secures the battery cable to the battery.
Slide an opening pick under the battery cable to separate the adhesive.

Step 20

Use the point of a spudger to lift the small, hinged locking flap on the battery ZIF connector.

Step 21

Use tweezers to pull the battery cable straight out of its socket.

Step 22

Remove the battery.
To install a new battery:
Use tweezers and a spudger to remove all the old adhesive from the battery recess.
If your replacement battery doesn't have adhesive pre-installed, put strips of thin, double-sided tape on the logic board (not directly on the battery) where the old adhesive was.
Insert the battery cable into its connector on the battery and lower the locking flap.
Remove any liners from the battery adhesive or double-sided tape.
Position the battery so the side with the cable connector is on the left edge of the watch.
Firmly press the battery into place to secure it with the adhesive.