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iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace your iPod Touch's battery. Replacing the battery requires a soldering iron and knowledge of surface mount soldering.

Before you start, first back up your iPod by sync-ing it with iTunes. It may come back up in a state where it needs resetting and restoring.

What you need

  1. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement, Front Panel: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • The glass front panel on the third generation Touch has a plastic frame glued both to its outer edge and also under the wide black strips at the top and bottom of the device.

    • The picture at left (front panel already removed) shows the locations of the metal clips (shown in red) that snap on to the plastic frame. In the next few steps, try to pry the front panel up from the gaps between these clips.

    • Also, be mindful of the very thin and delicate touch screen ribbon cable (connector location shown in green) attaching the front panel to the upper left corner of the Touch.

    Edit

  2. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Gently insert an iPod opening tool between the glass front panel and its plastic surround near the volume adjust buttons.

    • Rotate the tool away from the Touch to pry up on the glass panel.

    • The key is to work slowly and gently to avoid breaking internal components.

    Edit

  3. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the iPod opening tool between the front panel and its plastic surround and pry up at several points along the left edge of the Touch.

    • Do not insert the tool and run it down the edge of the front panel, as it will damage the front panel itself and the rubber strip along the plastic surround. It is best to work at one point, pry up, then remove the tool and reinsert it at the next spot to be pryed up.

    Edit

  4. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Continue prying up the left edge until the top and bottom edges start to lift out of the Touch.

    • Once the top and bottom edges have lifted slightly out of the Touch, use the opening tool to assure the plastic surround is detached from the clips along the inside of the Touch.

    Edit

  5. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Continue the prying procedure, now focusing on detaching the plastic surround from the internal metal clips.

    • Pry along the top edge of the Touch to further separate the front panel from the rest of the device.

    Edit

  6. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 3 iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 3 iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Pry up the front panel along the right edge using the method described in previous steps.

    • Eventually work around the entire perimeter of the front panel until it is lifted slightly from the rear panel.

    • Also, ensure that the plastic surround is separated from the clips in the rear panel.

    Edit

  7. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the front panel out of the rear case minding the cable still attaching it near the upper left corner of the Touch.

    Edit

  8. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of a spudger (or an opening tool) to very carefully pry the touch screen cable connector up off the upper logic board.

    • The touch screen ribbon cable is extremely fragile! Be very gentle in disconnecting this cable to prevent tearing the ribbon cable.

    • Now that the front panel is out, check it for damage. If the plastic surround is not flush with the front face of the glass panel, gently peel it off and stick it down.

    • Be careful not to scratch the front panel on the underside of the black portions, as the scratches will be visible once the device is reassembled.

    • Be sure to clean both the face of the display and the inner surface of the front panel, as any dust or fingerprints will be trapped inside the Touch once it is fully reassembled.

    Edit

  9. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement, Display: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Insert a small iPod opening tool with the edge angled up toward the underside of the display between the white plastic backlight and the metal shield beneath it.

    • Pry up along the lower edge of the display enough to grab it with your fingers, being careful to not flex the screen.

    Edit

  11. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the display up from its lower edge and rotate it toward the top of the Touch.

    • The next few steps require removal of components under where the display normally sits. Be sure to hold the display to avoid putting tension on the delicate display ribbon cable.

    • Remove the seven Phillips screws securing the metal display tray to the rear panel. They may be very tight; watch carefully to make sure you don't strip them.

    • The two darker screws belong in the two holes in the tray nearest the bottom edge of the Touch.

    Edit

  12. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Lay the display back down into its tray.

    • Remove the final Phillips screw securing the metal tray to the rear panel.

    Edit

  13. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the display out of the metal tray and rotate it toward the top edge of the Touch.

    • Use an iPod opening tool to lift the metal display tray and rotate it up toward the top edge of the Touch.

    Edit

  14. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to peel the copper tape off the top edge of the display.

    • Leave the copper tape attached to the metal display tray.

    Edit

  15. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Use the edge of an iPod opening tool to remove the piece of tape covering the display data cable.

    Edit

  16. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • Use an iPod opening tool to pry the display data cable connector up off its socket on the logic board.

    Edit

  17. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Peel the display data cable off the adhesive securing it to the rear panel.

    Edit

  18. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the metal display tray slightly (the battery is attached to its underside) and remove the display from the Touch, minding its delicate cable that may get caught.

    • The display ribbon cable is routed under the metal display tray.

    Edit

  19. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement, Battery: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the battery off the adhesive securing it to the metal display tray.

    • Remove the metal display tray and set it aside.

    Edit

  20. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Flip your battery over and lay it down in the rear panel as shown.

    • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the small strip of tape covering the end of the battery cable (shown in red).

    • When finished installing your new battery, it is essential to cover the bare battery leads with tape to avoid electrical shorts.

    Edit

  21. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 3 iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 3 iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 20, image 3 of 3

    • The battery on the third generation Touch is attached via solder pads with small holes that go through the battery ribbon cable and attach to flat pads on the face of the logic board. In this step, you will heat each solder pad individually while using a metal spudger to pry it up from the logic board.

    • DO NOT bridge the connection between the solder pads both on the board and on the ribbon cable with your spudger. Shorts have the potential to ruin the logic board.

    • Beware of overheating the board and the cable. Only hold the tip of the iron against the pad long enough to let the solder melt. Excess heat buildup has the potential to ruin the logic board or melt the ribbon cable.

    • Start working from one side of the battery ribbon cable. In our case, we started on the left. Heat the leftmost solder pad while gently prying up from under the ribbon cable to free it from the board. Repeat this process for each of the two remaining pads, working either right to left or left to right.

    • DO NOT attempt to use any pulling force on the battery wire during the desoldering process. Pulling will result in the ripping of the soldering pads on the logic board and ruining it.

    Edit

  22. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 1

    • At this point, the battery should be free from the logic board.

    • Lift the old battery out of the Touch and set it aside.

    Edit

  23. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 2

    • Next, use the tip of a soldering iron to flatten out the solder on the logic board solder pads. The pictures show a 'before' and 'after' shot.

    • Remember not to heat up the pads too much.

    Edit

  24. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 23, image 2 of 2

    • Place your battery in the rear panel, with the cable side down, and use two small strips of electrical tape to hold the cable against the solder pads.

    • Installing the battery upside down (with the cable facing up) will destroy the logic board.

    • Place a strip of tape over the end of the battery ribbon cable to both cover two of the solder pads and hold the contacts down against the logic board.

    • Heat the rightmost contact until the solder below melts and apply a small amount of solder to the contact, allowing it to flow through the two holes in the cable and down to the logic board.

    • Do not apply too much solder. The amount required for a proper bond is miniscule.

    • As soon as the solder has flowed into the joint, remove both the solder and the iron.

    Edit

  25. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 2 iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 24, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the piece of tape covering the remaining two leads. If you are satisfied with the position of the cable relative to the pads on the board, proceed. If not, de-solder the first connection and try again.

    • Solder the two remaining pads to the logic board, being mindful of overheating the cable or board.

    Edit

  26. iPod Touch 3rd Generation Battery Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 1

    • Don't forget to reapply the piece of tape over the solder pads to prevent any shorts.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order. Don't forget to clean both the display and the inside of the screen before final reassembly. You can use spectacle cleaning spray and a lint-free cloth for this. Clean the screen horizontally and the display vertically, and have a test look. The direction will tell you where the smudges are.

103 other people completed this guide.

20 Comments

wher can you buy the battery

gerardo - Reply

They can be found here in our store.

Andrew Bookholt -

I've done the battery change and went through the whole process without too much hassle. Once it was done, I turned my iPod on and it worked. However, when I came to charge it, it just wouldn't work (the battery won't charge at all). So my iPod just depleted itself till the new battery went empty, and now it just won't boot anymore. I think I've done the job pretty well (or at least the iPod worked for a little while after the battery change) so I don't know what's the real reason for this not to work. Now my iPod is stuck on this screen http://km.support.apple.com/library/APPL.... Sucks to be me.

djules - Reply

at least u didnt fix it, boot it so it worked, then assemble it and have it broken.

Daniel Powers -

Appreciate it's probably way too late for yourself, but wanted to comment here in case anyone else is in this situation and stumbled across this thread.

Don't give up here if the battery won't charge, it may still be fixable! It was for me!

I Replaced the battery, everything appeared to work fine, so I reassembled only to find that the battery would not charge. The icon came up saying that it was charging, but slowly the charge ran out until I was stuck at that same screen.

Was about to sell it on for spares when I thought I'd have one last go... It turned out that the problem was not with the replacement battery itself, but the protection circuitry attached to the battery. I was able to remove the circuit (plus ribbon cable) from the original (dud) battery, and solder it onto the new one (as always being carful not to short it out in the process. Once reattached, it worked perectly!

Can only suspect it's an issue with the non-OEM circuit being faulty, or detected and blocked by apple somehow...

graysters -

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