Replacing an iPhone’s battery has become easier thanks to a significant repairability improvement in Apple’s latest handset. While most consumers will still need a trained professional to do the work, the process itself is now less complex and risky.
The iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus utilize a new type of adhesive that can debond when an electrical current passes through it. As outlined in Apple’s repair guide, the process involves connecting a 9-volt battery to specific points inside the iPhone. The red lead goes to the silver tab on the battery and the black connector attaches to the grounding screw on the bottom speaker.
We first heard about the new adhesive technology back in June. iFixit believes the tech comes from adhesive manufacturer Tesa. Technical details are available in iFixit’s teardown but in simple terms, zapping the adhesive loosens the adhesive from its surface. This is similar to dipping one half of an Oreo cookie into milk, then twisting, where the crème filling will always stick to the top cookie.
Key points about the new adhesive technology include:
While cracking open the iPhone 16 still remains a challenge for the average consumer, at least the path forward is now easier once inside.