# Replacing the battery in an iPhone **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 22, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-the-battery-in-an-iphone/725888 "2015-07-22T16:47:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-the-battery-in-an-iphone/725888/1 "2015-07-22T16:47:01Z")
I have a Verizon iPhone 5. The battery has really gone to shit recently and I was hoping to get it replaced. Can I do so legally? Is there a reputable national chain that does that? (I’m in the SF bay area). thanks! ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-the-battery-in-an-iphone/725888/2 "2015-07-22T17:15:37Z")
It’s [not difficult](https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iPhone+5+Battery+Replacement/10587) to do yourself. You may be eligible for [free replacement](https://www.apple.com/support/iphone5-battery/). ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-the-battery-in-an-iphone/725888/3 "2015-07-22T17:20:03Z")
Why did you think it’d be illegal? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-the-battery-in-an-iphone/725888/4 "2015-07-22T17:30:08Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Why did you think it’d be illegal? 😕 You’re right, poor phrasing on my part. I certainly didn’t think it would be breaking any laws, but I wouldn’t want to do something that would cause Verizon to suddenly void my contract, would mean I could never get additional tech support, etc. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-the-battery-in-an-iphone/725888/5 "2015-07-22T17:31:50Z")
> [@yoyodyne](#): > > You may be eligible for [free replacement](https://www.apple.com/support/iphone5-battery/). I am eligible! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-the-battery-in-an-iphone/725888/6 "2015-07-22T18:39:45Z")
Wonder why they are asking people to erase everything on their iPhone first? > [@](#): > > To prepare your iPhone 5 for the battery replacement process, please follow the steps below: > > ``` > Back up your data to iTunes or iCloud > Turn off Find my iPhone > Erase data and settings in Settings > General > Reset > Erase all Content and Settings > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-the-battery-in-an-iphone/725888/7 "2015-07-22T19:11:43Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > Wonder why they are asking people to erase everything on their iPhone first? The returner isn’t going to get the same phone back presumably, and it’s best for everyone if the data is gone from it. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2015, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/replacing-the-battery-in-an-iphone/725888/8 "2015-07-22T19:56:12Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > The returner isn’t going to get the same phone back presumably, and it’s best for everyone if the data is gone from it. I would have thought you would get the same phone back, especially if you’re taking it to an Apple store. Maybe they are saying to wipe the phone in case anything goes wrong, then they can give you a new phone without you having to worry about your personal data still being on the broken one.