Apple Watch Series 7 Battery Replacement
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 22 Steps
Heads up: The battery swap for the 41 mm Series 7 Apple Watch has a few quirks compared to the 45 mm model. Keep that in mind!
Make sure to let your battery dip below 25% before diving in!
Ready to give your Apple Watch Series 7 a new lease on life? Let’s swap out that worn-out or dead battery! Heads up: the battery replacement process for the 41 mm version is a bit different from the 45 mm one—but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered for both sizes. Before diving in, double-check that you’ve got the correct replacement battery for your watch. If you’re tackling the 45 mm model, you’ll only need a Tri-point Y000 screwdriver. Got a swollen battery? Take all the necessary precautions to stay safe. Speaking of safety, make sure to discharge your battery below 25% before taking anything apart—this helps minimize any fire risks in case of accidental damage. This guide focuses on the cellular/LTE version, but no sweat—the GPS-only model is super similar. Oh, and don’t forget: you’ll need some replacement adhesive to stick things back together when reassembling your device.
Step 1
If your touchscreen is acting up and you can’t turn off the watch, don’t stress! Just follow this alternative method to power it down and get back on track.
– First things first, let’s give your watch a little break! Remove it from the charger and power it down. You’re one step closer to a smooth repair journey!
Step 2
Keep those fingers safe and sound by steering clear of the knife! If you’re feeling unsure, throw on a sturdy glove—like a leather shop glove or a gardening glove—to protect your free hand.
Watch your pressure! Too much might make the knife slip, which could lead to a cut or even damage your watch.
Don’t forget your eye protection! If the knife or glass decides to break, you want to be ready for any flying pieces.
Feel free to pop on or take off the watch band as needed to give yourself a little extra control while tackling those repairs!
– Since the space between the screen and the watch body is super slim, you’ll want to grab a sharp blade to help you out. Make sure to check out the following warnings before diving in!
Step 3
Feel free to use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate to help with the process, but watch out for overheating your watch—the display and internal battery can be a bit sensitive to heat, so keep it cool!
You might find yourself reheating the iOpener and repeating this step a few times until the display adhesive gives in and softens up.
– Grab your trusty iOpener and give it a warm hug against the screen for a solid two minutes. This will help loosen up that stubborn adhesive hiding underneath, making your repair journey a breeze!
Step 4
Heads up! A sharp tool can easily leave its mark on your watch housing if you’re not careful. So, take a deep breath, slow down, and work with care to keep those scratches at bay!
Just a little note: the Apple Watch Series 7 display has a plastic bezel on the back. If you’re planning to reuse your display, be gentle with that knife! Too much pressure might just pop the bezel off the screen.
– Slide the edge of a curved blade into the slim opening between the screen and the outer shell. You’ll want to start at the short side of the display, furthest from the digital crown—trust us, it’s the sweet spot!
– Once the blade is in, gently tilt it to pop the screen open just a little. This creates enough room between the display and the watch body to continue the magic. Take your time—slow and steady wins the race!
Step 5
– Slide an opening pick into the gap you’ve created.
– Gently glide the opening pick along the short edge of the watch to cut through the adhesive.
Step 6
– Glide the opening pick smoothly around the corner and down the long edge opposite the watch crown to cut through the display adhesive like a pro.
Step 7
Hey, don’t get too attached! The display is still connected to the rest of the watch, so be careful not to damage it.
– Gently glide the opening pick around the corner to cut through the last bit of adhesive along the short edge of the watch, right next to the crown. You’re doing great!
Step 8
Watch out for those display cables! When you’re folding the display to the side, give them some love and don’t pull too hard.
– Gently lift up the display and guide it toward the watch crown like you’re opening a treasure chest.
– Flip the display upward to a nice open position—think of it as giving your watch a high-five!
Step 9
You can use a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate too—just tread lightly with the heat! The watch’s display and internal battery are pretty sensitive, so don’t get too carried away.
– Grab your trusty iOpener and give it a warm hug on the back of your Apple Watch for a solid two minutes. This will help loosen up that stubborn adhesive holding the battery in place. You’re doing great!
Step 10
At this stage, the process for removing the battery on the 41 mm watch takes a slightly different turn compared to the 45 mm model. Let’s tackle it with confidence!
– Got a 41 mm watch battery to swap? Keep going with this step!
– If you’re tackling a 45 mm watch battery, just move ahead with this step!
Step 11
Be careful not to poke a hole in that battery with your tool, or it could leak some not-so-fun chemicals or even catch fire! Let’s avoid that, okay?
Don’t try to fully remove the battery just yet – it’s still hanging out with the motherboard.
Here are six simple steps to help you pop that battery out of your 41 mm Apple Watch Series 7. Let’s get started!
– Slide an opening pick between the watch body and the long edge of the battery—don’t rush, it’s a gentle process.
– Apply steady, consistent pressure to carefully lift the battery—think of it as coaxing, not forcing.
Step 12
The battery flex cable is plenty long to let you move the battery outside the watch housing, but be careful not to strain or bend the cable too sharply when lifting the battery out of its spot. Keep it chill and gentle!
– Gently lift the battery and swing it out from its snug little home, then set it down next to the watch body like it’s taking a break.
Step 13
Carefully peel the tape off the connector—just the tape, not the whole thing! If you pull it all off, you’ll need to replace it during reassembly, and who wants that extra hassle?
– Grab a trusty pair of tweezers and gently peel away the black protective tape from the ZIF connector. You’ve got this!
Tools Used
Step 15
As you put everything back together, remember to gently push that cable all the way into the ZIF connector before securing it. Don’t forget to reapply the black tape over the connector to keep the battery cable snug, or swap it out for a fresh one. If you skip this step, the battery cable might wiggle loose, and then your watch will be as lifeless as a rock!
– Grab a pair of tweezers and carefully pull the battery cable out of the ZIF connector. Nice and gentle—don’t rush it!
Tools Used
Step 16
Don’t even think about reusing a battery that’s been damaged or deformed – it’s a safety no-go! Swap it out for a brand new one instead.
– First up, let’s get that battery out of there! It’s time for a little separation.
– If you’re planning to give your old battery a second chance during reassembly, feel free to stick with the existing adhesive to keep it snug and secure.
– For those of you bringing in a shiny new battery, grab some pre-cut adhesive or double-sided tape. Just a heads up: apply the new adhesive where the old stuff used to be inside the device, not directly on the battery itself. Once you’ve got it in place, give that new battery a good press to make sure it’s settled in nicely!
Step 17
Be super careful not to poke or twist that battery with your tool—doing so could let out some nasty chemicals or even spark a fire. Yikes!
Hold your horses! Don’t try to fully yank out the battery just yet. It’s still buddying up with the motherboard.
Get ready to tackle the task of removing the battery from your 45 mm Apple Watch Series 7 with these six simple steps!
– Slide an opening pick between the watch body and the long edge of the battery. You’re getting in there!
– Now, apply consistent, gentle pressure to carefully lift the battery out. You’ve got this!
Step 18
The battery flex cable is pretty generous in length, letting you rest the battery outside the watch housing. But hey, no need to test its yoga skills—keep it smooth and avoid any sharp bends or strain while lifting the battery out of its spot.
– Gently lift the battery out of its cozy little spot and set it down next to the watch body, ready for the next exciting step!
Step 19
– Grab your trusty Tri-Point Y000 screwdriver and unscrew that 1.1 mm-long little guy holding the battery connector bracket in place. You’ve got this!
Tools Used
Step 20
– Time to get up close and personal with that battery connector bracket! Use a trusty pair of tweezers to carefully pluck it out.
Tools Used
Step 21
– Let’s get started! Use a spudger to carefully disconnect the battery cable by gently prying the connector straight up from its socket. Take your time and be patient, you got this!
Tools Used
Step 22
If your battery looks like it’s been through a rough day—bent, broken, or just not its usual self—don’t give it another go. It’s a safety risk! Swap it out for a fresh one instead.
– If possible, power on your device and give your repair a quick test before adding new adhesive and sealing it back up.
– Now, just retrace your steps in reverse to reassemble your device.
– For the best results, make sure to calibrate your newly installed battery once you’re finished with the guide.
– Don’t forget to take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler to dispose of it responsibly.
– Something didn’t go as planned? No worries—try some basic troubleshooting, or reach out to our Answers community for a hand.
– If you’re stuck or need a little extra help, feel free to schedule a repair.
Success!