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Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement

Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement

Dominik Schnabelrauch

Dominik Schnabelrauch and 2 other contributors

Last updated on March 22, 2025

30 - 50 minutes
Moderate
Featured Guide

Introduction

Go to step 1

Use this guide to replace a worn-out or dead battery in your Apple Watch Series 8.

Note: The battery replacement procedure for the 41 mm Series 8 Apple Watch differs slightly from the 45 mm version. This guide shows how to replace the battery for the 45 mm version.

The battery of the 41 mm model has a silver cover and a different connector compared to the black battery of the 45 mm model. Before you begin, make sure you have the appropriate replacement battery for your watch.

If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions. For your safety, discharge your battery below 25% before disassembling your device. This reduces the risk of fire if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair.

This guide shows the procedure on the cellular/LTE version of the watch, but the GPS-only version is similar.

You’ll need replacement adhesive to reattach the battery and the screen when reassembling the device.

What you need

Parts

Tools

Show more…

  1. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Power down the watch: step 1, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Power down the watch: step 1, image 2 of 2
    Edit

  2. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Safety Requirements: step 2, image 1 of 3 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Safety Requirements: step 2, image 2 of 3 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Safety Requirements: step 2, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Safety Glasses
    $3.19
    Add To Cart

    • Because the gap between the screen and watch body is so thin, an iFlex is needed to separate the two.

    • Protect your fingers by keeping them completely clear of the iFlex edge. If in doubt, protect your free hand with a heavy glove, such as a leather shop glove or gardening glove.

    • Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as this might cause the iFlex to slip and cut you, or damage the watch.

    • Wear eye protection. If the opening procedure is performed incorrectly or with too much pressure, the glass could crack, sending small glass shards flying.

    • Attach or remove the watch band as needed to provide more control as you make repairs.

    Edit

  3. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Soften the display adhesive: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the screen for three minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath.

    • A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the watch—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

    • You may need to reheat the iOpener and repeat this procedure several times until the display adhesive softens.

    Edit

  4. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Create a gap: step 4, image 1 of 3 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Create a gap: step 4, image 2 of 3 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Create a gap: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Take your time and work carefully to avoid scratching the watch body with your iFlex.

    • Insert the iFlex into the thin gap between the display and frame at the edge adjacent to the digital crown.

    • Tilt the iFlex down to pry the display open slightly and create a gap between the screen and the watch body.

    • The Apple Watch Series 8 display is equipped with a plastic bezel on its rear side. If you want to reuse your display, avoid using too much pressure with the iFlex or you may separate the bezel from the screen.

    Edit

  5. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Slice the adhesive: step 5, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Slice the adhesive: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the tip of an opening pick into the gap you just created.

    • Slide the opening pick along the short edge of the watch to slice the adhesive.

    Edit

  6. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Slide the opening pick around the corner and along the long edge opposite to the watch crown to slice the adhesive.

    Edit

  8. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Slide the opening pick around the corner and along the next short edge to slice the adhesive.

    Edit

  9. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • When slicing the adhesive on the edge with the watch crown, only insert the opening pick 2–3 mm to prevent damaging the display cables.

    • Slide the opening pick around the corner and toward the watch crown to slice the remaining adhesive.

    • Don't try to fully remove the display yet, as it‘s still connected to the watch assembly.

    Edit

  10. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Swing open the display: step 9, image 1 of 3 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Swing open the display: step 9, image 2 of 3 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Swing open the display: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Be careful not to strain the display cables when you open the display.

    • Lift the display and carefully pull it towards the watch crown.

    • Swing the display open to an upright position.

    • To reseal your watch follow this general Apple Watch resealing guide.

    Edit

  11. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Loosen the battery adhesive: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Prepare an iOpener and apply it to the rear glass for two minutes to loosen the adhesive underneath the battery.

    • A hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate may also be used, but be careful not to overheat the watch—the display and internal battery are both susceptible to heat damage.

    Edit

  12. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Pry up the battery: step 11, image 1 of 3 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Pry up the battery: step 11, image 2 of 3 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Pry up the battery: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Take care not to puncture or bend the battery with your tool—a punctured or bent battery may leak dangerous chemicals or cause a fire.

    • Insert an opening pick into the gap between the watch body and the long edge of the battery.

    • Use constant, steady pressure to slowly pry up the battery.

    • Don't try to remove the battery all the way yet, as it‘s still connected to the motherboard.

    Edit

  13. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Move the battery: step 12, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Move the battery: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • The battery flex cable is long enough to allow you to place the battery outside the watch housing, but avoid straining or sharply folding the cable when you lift the battery out of its recess.

    • Carefully lift the battery out of its recess and place it next to the watch body.

    Edit

  14. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Unfasten the battery connector bracket screw: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Use a Tri-Point Y000 screwdriver to remove the 1.1 mm-long screw securing the battery connector bracket.

    Edit

  15. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Remove the battery connector bracket: step 14, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Remove the battery connector bracket: step 14, image 2 of 2
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Add To Cart

    • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the battery connector bracket.

    Edit

  16. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Disconnect the battery cable: step 15, image 1 of 2 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Disconnect the battery cable: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Use the pointed end of a spudger to disconnect the battery cable by prying the connector straight up from its socket.

    • To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don‘t press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

    Edit

  17. Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Remove the battery: step 16, image 1 of 3 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Remove the battery: step 16, image 2 of 3 Apple Watch - Series 8 Battery Replacement, Remove the battery: step 16, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the battery.

    • Don‘t reuse the battery if it has been deformed or damaged, as doing so is a potential safety hazard. Replace it with a new battery.

    • Secure a new battery with pre-cut adhesive or double-sided adhesive tape. In order to position it correctly, apply the new adhesive into the battery well at the places where the old adhesive was located, not directly onto the battery itself. Peel back any adhesive liners and press the new battery firmly into place.

    • If you're reusing your old battery, you can reuse the existing adhesive to secure the battery during reassembly.

    Edit
Conclusion

If possible, turn on your device and test your repair before installing new adhesive and resealing.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

For optimal performance, calibrate your newly installed battery after completing this guide.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

7 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 2 other contributors

Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 11/23/16

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2 Comments

does this battery replacement destroy the water seal?

Nic - Reply

you need to buy the adhesive strip to not loose the water seal, hard to reapply it right though

jreate - Reply

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