Apple Watch - Series 10 (46mm) Battery Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

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Apple Watch - Series 10 (46mm) Battery Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the battery in your Apple Watch Series 10.

Lithium-ion batteries have a limited lifespan. If your watch doesn't hold a charge or dies unexpectedly, it might be time to replace the battery.

If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

You'll need replacement screen and battery adhesive to complete this repair.

Tools

Parts

Tesa 61395 Tape

Step 1

Before starting this repair, remove your watch from the charger and let its battery drain completely—the watch should shut down from low battery. A charged lithium‑ion battery may catch fire if damaged.
Letting the battery drain completely also prevents accidentally turning your watch back on when gripping it during repair.

Step 2

Throughout the rest of your repair:
Attach and remove the watch bands as needed to get a better grip or stabilize your watch.
To remove a band, firmly press in the small, oval button on the underside of the watch and slide the band out of its groove.
Consider placing your watch on something soft like a clean cloth to help stabilize it and prevent damage.

Step 3

If inserted too far, an opening pick can damage your watch. Follow this step to mark your pick and prevent damage.
Measure 3 mm from the tip and mark the opening pick with a permanent marker.
Alternatively, tape a coin to a pick 3 mm from the tip.

Step 4

Strong adhesive secures the perimeter of the screen to the frame. Heating the screen softens the adhesive, making it easier to separate.
Heat an iOpener and lay it on the screen for two minutes to soften its adhesive.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer or heat gun—but be careful as extreme heat can damage the screen and/or battery.

Step 5

The gap between the screen and frame is extremely small. You'll need a thin tool such as an iFlex to create an initial gap.
Don't grip the iFlex or similar metal tools by the edges—they're very sharp. Consider wearing gloves to protect your hands.
Insert the iFlex at a downward angle between the bottom edge of the screen and frame.

Step 6

Prying up the screen may take multiple attempts. If you're having trouble, apply more heat and try again.
With one hand, push down firmly on the watch's frame to secure it in place.
With your free hand, hold the iFlex and push the edges up to make it more rigid.
The iFlex should be slightly "U" shaped.
Pry up the screen enough for the iFlex to lay flat on its own.
The iFlex doesn't need to be inserted far, as it can easily damage the screen cables near the bottom right corner of the watch.
Leave the iFlex inserted under the screen.

Step 7

Do not insert your opening pick more than 3 mm under the screen when separating the adhesive, as you risk damaging your watches internals.
Keep the iFlex flat to maintain a gap between the screen and frame while inserting an opening pick.
Insert an opening pick between the screen and iFlex.
Remove the iFlex.

Step 8

Slide the opening pick around the bottom left corner and up the left edge.

Step 9

Continue sliding your pick along the top edge and around the top right corner, stopping just after the digital crown.
Don't slide your pick past the digital crown—you risk damage to the screen cables.

Step 10

Insert the long edge of an opening pick between the left edge of the screen and frame.
Twist the pick to lift the screen and separate any remaining adhesive.

Step 11

Pull the right edge of the screen over the digital crown.
If the screen feels stuck, go back around it with an opening pick to separate any adhesive.
Swing up the left edge of the screen so it's upright. The screen should be to the right of the digital crown.
During reassembly:
This is a good point to plug in your watch and test all functions before sealing it up. Be sure to power it back down completely before you continue working.
Follow this guide to apply new screen adhesive and reseal your watch.

Step 12

Use a tri‑point Y000 screwdriver to remove the 1.1 mm‑long screw securing the battery connector bracket.

Step 13

Use tweezers to remove the battery connector bracket.
During reassembly, make sure the longer section of the bracket goes over the battery press connector.

Step 14

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the battery press connector.

Step 15

Heating the battery will soften the strong adhesive securing it, making the battery easier to remove.
Heat an iOpener and lay it on the battery for two minutes to soften the adhesive.
Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer or heat gun—but be careful as extreme heat can damage the battery.

Step 16

Be careful not to puncture or bend the battery—it can leak dangerous chemicals and catch fire.
Insert an opening pick between the bottom edge of the battery and frame.
Pry up the battery with the opening pick until it starts to separate from the frame.
This requires time and constant pressure. If you're having trouble, apply more heat and try again.
Slide the pick farther under the battery and lift until all the adhesive is separated.

Step 17

Remove the battery from the frame.
To install a new battery:
Use a spudger and tweezers to remove all the old adhesive from the battery recess.
If your replacement battery doesn't have adhesive pre-installed, put strips of thin, double-sided tape on the logic board (not directly on the battery) where the old adhesive was.
Reconnect the battery cable press connector to its socket on the motherboard.
Remove any liners from the battery adhesive or double-sided tape.
Firmly press the battery into place to secure it with the adhesive.