iFixit Releases New USB-Powered Tool to Remove iPhone 16's Battery

[MacRumors]

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.

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

 

[russell_314]

It’s nice to see innovation in this area. One day we’ll be able to pop the back of our phones without tools to swap the battery 😊

 

[Reeneman]

It’s nice to see innovation in this area. One day we’ll be able to pop the back of our phones without tools to swap the battery 😊

Back to the future 😆

 

[ACHD]

So just a PD trigger with 2 leads attached to it lol

 

[7thson]

Good thing they got this out there in such a timely fashion. People are gonna need this in…
👀 checks watch 👀
…2 years. Maybe.

 

[H2SO4]

It’s nice to see innovation in this area. One day we’ll be able to pop the back of our phones without tools to swap the battery 😊

With a De Lorean, iFixit Edition, you can.

 

[Victor Mortimer]

I normally applaud everything iFixit does. But this seems unnecessary, they sell a 10-pack of gator clip leads for less than $5, and you've probably got 9v batteries sitting around anyway.

Shame on Apple for gluing the battery in the first place, of course.

 

[lkrupp]

Good thing they got this out there in such a timely fashion. People are gonna need this in…
👀 checks watch 👀
…2 years. Maybe.

The usual suspects on teach blogs are already claiming their iPhone 16 batteries are losing health at an alarming rate and demand a free replacement. It never ends. 😂

 

[Reeneman]

Good thing they got this out there in such a timely fashion. People are gonna need this in…
👀 checks watch 👀
…2 years. Maybe.

All the people crying about battery life and/or „intense heat“ might need it asap next week.

 

[california_kid]

Probably can use this for shock therapy to stop bad habits.

 

[Marrakas]

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.

 

[california_kid]

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.

 

[Aves]

they also released the whole iPhone 16 lineup's interior wallpapers!

 

[Stevez67]

I'd love to see how many of these they sell. It would be very revealing.

 

[victorvictoria]

The opportunity to damage/brick your phone is strong with this one…

 

[svish]

Good to see iFixit releasing this new tool. Glad to hear that battery replacements are easier now.

 

[cjsuk]

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:

PD 100W USB C to DC Power Connector Universal 18-20V Type C to DC Jack Plug Charging Adapter Converter for Lenovo/HP/DELL Laptop - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

DC Male Female Jack Connector Alligator Clips Crocodile Wire 12V Power Cable To 2 Alligator Clip Connected Voltage 5.5*2.1mm - AliExpress 13

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Both delivered to UK for £1.56 ($2.04)

 

[tomtad]

They love a USB-C connector these guys

 

[DarthDon]

If the battery is empty...

 

[Victor Mortimer]

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.

 

[niclet]

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.