Battery replacement — is it necessary?
Your iPhone shuts down in the cold? Your MacBook lasts less and less without the charger? These are just some of the signs of a worn battery. Is replacing it unavoidable? Here’s the answer.
Apple devices — iPhone, MacBook, iPad — use lithium-ion batteries whose lifespan is defined by the number of charge cycles. With use, the batteries wear chemically and store less energy. As a result, your device lasts a shorter time without being plugged in.
Battery lifespan in Apple devices
Each full charge = 1 cycle. If you charge the battery to 50% one day and again the next day, the total (100%) counts as 1 cycle. Assuming you charge your device once a day, the number of cycles roughly equals the number of days of the battery’s full lifespan.
- iPhone – approx. 500 cycles
- iPad – approx. 800 cycles
- MacBook – approx. 1000 cycles
How to extend battery life
A few tips from the manufacturer:
1. Keep your software up to date – the latest iOS/macOS versions often include energy-saving improvements, so make sure your device always runs the newest system version.
2. Optimise your settings – even simple changes to your device’s settings can improve battery performance. Pay attention to screen and keyboard brightness (MacBook) and your internet source (Wi-Fi is preferable).
3. Avoid very high or very low temperatures (iPhone) – your device works best between 16 and 22°C. Low temperatures reduce battery performance, while extreme heat (around 35°C) permanently reduces its capacity. Don’t leave your device in strong sunlight on hot days, and limit outdoor use in winter.
4. Take off the case (iPhone) – some cases trap heat while the device charges, which harms the battery. Taking the case off while charging is a good solution.
5. Check what drains the battery most – iOS and macOS let you see which apps use the most energy. To help, you can, for example, turn off background app refresh or location services.
6. Turn on Low Power Mode (iPhone) – it automatically optimises settings such as brightness and screen timeout and limits background downloads for some apps, which means longer battery life.
Signs the battery is no longer coping
- The device shutting down on its own, e.g. in freezing temperatures
- The device slowing down
- Shorter time between charges
- A swollen battery (in extreme cases visible as the display, or the bottom case on MacBooks, bulging)
- A low battery health percentage (Settings → Battery → Battery Health on iPhone and iPad. On a MacBook this parameter can’t be checked in the same way, but iHelp has dedicated software for it)
The solution
Although following these rules extends battery life, eventually a replacement becomes unavoidable if you want your device to work at its best.
At iHelp we use batteries built from original components (BMS, cell), and the replacement can be done in as little as 1 hour! To make sure it’s done quickly and you don’t have to part with your device for too long, it’s best to get in touch beforehand to book a visit.
Battery prices depend on the model and parts availability, so they are quoted individually. Describe your device in the form or call us — you’ll get the cost and a date.