What to expect when replacing your iPhone 16's battery, display, or back glass

Replacing the battery: moderate difficulty

After peeling back an adhesive tab, the method involves using a 9-volt battery to debond the internal adhesive by maintaining electrical contact for about 90 seconds, before lifting the battery out with a suction cup. The new battery is then positioned using a dedicated press, run across it twice from different angles to ensure proper adhesion. Apple is direct on this point: a battery should only be replaced by someone with the experience to repair electronic devices, since improper handling risks fire or injury.

Replacing the back glass: moderate difficulty

Two security screws near the USB-C connector must be removed, then a heated fixture softens the adhesive before the glass is cut and lifted away using suction cups, after disconnecting the relevant flex cables. Reassembly follows the reverse order: fully cleaning off the old adhesive, applying new adhesive strips, precise repositioning, reconnecting the cables, reinstalling the frame with new screws, and a final pass under a display press so the adhesive sets properly.

Replacing the display: advanced difficulty

After powering down the device and removing the security screws near the USB-C connector, a heated fixture softens the display adhesive, which is then separated from the frame with a cutting tool and lifted with suction cups — carefully disconnecting the display cable and the ambient light sensor cable. Adhesive residue is cleaned off with ethanol, damaged grounding springs are replaced, and new adhesive is applied with particular attention to alignment around the TrueDepth camera. This repair is reserved for trained technicians or those with self-service repair authorization, given how little room there is for error.

Replacing the USB-C connector: advanced difficulty, full teardown

This is the heaviest of the four repairs: it requires first removing the back glass, display, battery, Taptic Engine, speakers, and microphone — while strictly following battery safety guidelines before starting. The connector itself is freed after disconnecting flex cables and removing around ten screws of different types (tri-point, cross-head, special screws) using the appropriate torque drivers. A repair clearly meant for a professional technician rather than occasional use.

What to keep in mind before starting

These four repairs share a common thread: they require specialized tools, careful handling to avoid damaging flex cables and surrounding components, and — for the display and USB-C connector especially — a skill level well beyond casual DIY. Apple recommends running a Repair Assistant diagnostic once the work is done in every case, and offers its own repair services for anyone who'd rather not risk it.