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The batteries inside the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus use an innovative type of adhesive that can be loosened with low-voltage electrical current. Apple's official repair guide recommends using a 9V battery with alligator clips for this process, but DIY repair website iFixit has released a new USB-powered tool as an alternative solution.

iFixit-VoltClip.jpg

As reported by The Verge, iFixit is now selling a VoltClip tool that is essentially a pair of alligator clips with an integrated USB-C adapter. With a USB-C to USB-C cable, which is not provided, you can connect the tool to any USB-C charger or device that supports 9V or 12V output. iFixit has a step-by-step guide with complete instructions.

The adhesive debonding process takes roughly 60 to 90 seconds.

The tool is available for $10.95 on iFixit's online store in the U.S., with same-day shipping available on orders placed before 1 p.m. Pacific Time each day.

This electrical removal process does not extend to iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max batteries, which still have stretch-release adhesive pull tabs.

Article Link: iFixit Releases New USB-Powered Tool to Remove iPhone 16's Battery
 
I never understood why batteries need to be glued in place at all. It doesn't have any room to move around anyway when the phone is assembled.

Someone please educate me if I'm totally wrong here.
the battery is the heaviest component inside the iPhone. If the fit is completely flush, kinetic energy will transfer when the iPhone is dropped. Bad things happen - battery gets damaged and/or internal components get damaged. Leaving a small gap and making sure the battery is securely glued down eliminates this risk. The glue probably acts like a thermal pad to transfer some heat to the metal case.
 
Good to see iFixit releasing this new tool. Glad to hear that battery replacements are easier now.
 
iFixit really innovating here with two $0.25 Aliexpress items stuck together and shoved in a box.

It's also probably a terrible idea. A battery has an impedance which limits current coming out of it quite heavily. USB depends on whatever turd you plug it into.

Evidence for ref:



Both delivered to UK for £1.56 ($2.04)
 
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I never understood why batteries need to be glued in place at all. It doesn't have any room to move around anyway when the phone is assembled.

Someone please educate me if I'm totally wrong here.
They don't.

With a properly designed battery compartment, there's ZERO need to glue a battery AT ALL. Even with the badly designed iPhone, there only needs to be something with about the stickiness of a post-it note. Something that I always do when replacing an iPhone battery is stick it to my jeans a few times before installing it to significantly weaken the bond, it makes replacing it much easier the next time. And I NEVER use the stupid press Apple wants used, that just makes it worse.
 
You know what, they should use this tech for the Touch Bar on MacBook Pro. I just finished another TB repair (what a messy operation!!!) and it occurred to me that it could be way easier if the adhesive was like with the new iPhone 16´s battery.
 
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