The iPad is a device that has found widespread acclaim within its niche, as is the case with many Apple products. Generally speaking, yours should hold up for several years of use, provided that you take good care of it and don’t use it roughly. Eventually, though, you may start running into issues with the battery. If it won’t hold a charge as well as it used to, that is a clear indication that yours is on the way out. What can you do about it? In this article, we will talk about some of the options available to you as you start looking into ways of replacing it.
iPad Battery Replacement for Devices Still Under Warranty
The first thing that we will address is what you can do if your iPad battery is struggling, and the device is still under warranty, or you purchased the AppleCare+ plan for it. Simply put, in either of those cases, it will cost you nothing to get the battery replaced. Actually, in those situations, Apple will often give you an entire replacement iPad.
You might be uncertain as to whether your device is still under warranty. This is easy to figure out, though. All you have to do is to check the serial number, then put it into the Apple Warrant Checker tool on their website. Find the serial number by hitting Settings, then General. Next, go to About, then scroll down to the Serial Number section. The other thing that you can do is to sync your device with iTunes. If you do so, the serial number will show up under the device’s information.
If your warranty is still active, or if you have AppleCare+, then you can go through the Apple website and tap the Start a Service Request button. You fill in the form, and then you send in your iPad. A replacement will come in the mail. If you do that, be sure to back up your device and wipe it clean before you send it away.
The other thing that you could do is to take it to an Apple Store with a Genius Bar. It is best if you schedule an appointment first. The employees there will test the iPad to see if they can figure out why the battery is failing. Usually, though, they have no problem handing over a replacement as long as the issue is something that is covered by the warranty or AppleCare+. You should be able to pick up your new iPad within 3-5 business days. If you live in an area where there is no Apple Store handy, then you’ll need to go through the website.
iPad Battery Replacement if Your Warranty is Expired
If your warranty is expired and the battery is failing, then there are some other viable options open to you. If you send your iPad in to Apple, they will replace the battery for $99, plus $6.95 shipping and handling. To start that repair, use the Start a Service Request on the Apple site again, or take it to a Genius Bar.
It’s not ideal to have to pay the $99, but if you think about it, the price is not so high if it gets your device working again. The time that it might not be worth it to get the replacement battery is if you have an older generation of the iPad, and you feel like it might be time to get a newer one.
If there are fun or useful features on the newer iPads that didn’t exist when you bought your current one, then it may be time to pay for an upgrade. If you do that, you could at least sell off your used one and put the money that you get from it toward the brand-new iPad. If you sell the used iPad to Apple, then you can also get store credit to put toward the new one, rather than cash.
Getting Your iPad Battery Replaced at Third-Party Stores
You could also go through a third-party entity (which is to say, not an Apple Store) to get your iPad battery replaced. There are things like electronics stores or kiosks at malls that will sometimes open up your iPad and do a battery replacement for you.
IMAGE: iPad Battery Replacement through Third-Party Stores
You will have to use your best judgment if you want to go this route. It might be a bit cheaper to go through one of these entities. At the same time, you have no way of knowing how well trained the employees there are. They might damage your device as they are trying to replace that battery.
For peace of mind, you could at least try going through a store or kiosk that is Apple-authorized to do these sorts of repairs. If they can advertise that they are, then that’s a guarantee that they’ve received specialized training in working with Apple products. This assumes, of course, that they’re telling the truth when they make that claim.
It’s helpful if you can find some feedback from prior customers of whatever entity you are considering using. Look at places like online message boards, Yelp, Better Business Bureau reviews, etc.
The DIY iPad Battery Replacement Option
If you’re short on cash, or you feel that you’re good with electronics, then it is not inconceivable that you might open up your device and switch out the battery yourself. If you do this, then you’re taking a risk. After all, by opening up your iPad and tinkering with it, you might cause some sort of damage that’s not related to the battery.
The estimated cost of the tools and replacement battery needed to switch out your current one is between $50 and $90. It goes without saying that taking this action will void any warranty that you have left on the iPad. There are different online stores that will sell you a replacement iPad battery. Just make sure that you get the one that is intended specifically for the generation of iPad that you have.
It can be helpful to watch some YouTube videos about switching out an iPad battery before you do it. If you are able to complete the job successfully, then you will at least get that pleasant sense of accomplishment that goes along with executing a do-it-yourself project.
One thing is undeniable: if your iPad battery is failing, then you’ll need to go with one of the options that we mentioned. Until you do so, you’re not going to be able to fully enjoy your device and its various features.
