I’ve been conditioned to believe that opening up gadgets is the domain of experts and professionals. But the idea that the simple act of changing a battery is beyond the realm of mere mortals like you and me is a lie.

In reality, you probably possess the skills and maybe even the tools you need to perform maintenance that will extend the life of your devices and possibly even make them better.

A super-cheap and effective upgrade

Taking your gadgets to a repair shop is definitely a safe option, but it comes with an added cost: labor. In addition to paying for a new battery, you’re paying for someone’s time and expertise. While there’s something to be said about knowing when you’re out of your depth, way too many of us give up before we’ve even considered what’s involved.

And it’s easy to see how. The company that manufactured your smartphone probably doesn’t want you poking around in there, and there are often good reasons for that. Opening up your new iPhone will absolutely void the warranty, and if you don’t do some research beforehand, then there’s a risk that you’ll break something.

Credit: Tim Brookes / How-To Geek

But that old eReader or handheld console that barely holds a charge anymore has no warranty left on it. It’s also old enough that plenty of other people have been in the exact same position as you, leading to ample documentation on the internet that covers simple acts of maintenance.

Furthermore, batteries are cheap now. A new Kindle battery cost me just shy of $15, smartphone batteries typically cost less than $40, and the battery for an old Nintendo DS can be found for under $20. Shop around to find the best prices, or spend a bit more and get replacement kits that include all the tools you need to do the job.

With these skills under your belt, you can save even more money bybuying older devices and replacing the batteries inside them. You can dig out old electronics that you’ve had for ages and give them a new lease on life. You may even be able to install a battery that exceeds the capacity of the original cell, improving battery life.

You can do it (I believe in you)

It’s good to be aware of the risks that opening up electronics poses to you and the devices themselves, and there’s no shortage of literature on the internet about how to safely perform battery replacements.iFixit is the gold standard for these sorts of guides, offering detailed photo walkthroughs, written instructions, and sometimes even videos.

While iFixit can teach you how to fix all sorts of problems, battery replacements are probably the most common guide on the website. A typical guide will tell you exactly what tools you need to complete the job (often with a kit for sale), how to open the device, what components you need to remove to get to the battery, and how to perform the swap. From here, you just follow the guide in reverse, putting back anything that you’ve removed and securing the housing in place.

Credit: Tim Brookes / How-To Geek

Each guide is rated depending on its difficulty, and you should read the guide all the way through before even thinking about ordering spare parts or tools. Speaking of tools, you should be prepared toinvest a small amount in a repair kit if you don’t already have basics like a set of precision screwdrivers and tools for prying.

Consider tools an investment that will still cost less than a visit to the repair shop.

iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit

Weight

1.88lbs (0.85kg)

Tool Roll Material

Polyester Canvas

Tackle any electronic repair with the iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit. This comprehensive set includes precision tools for smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, and more, designed for professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike. Durable, versatile, and perfect for all your tech repair needs.

$75 at Amazon

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Things you should (and shouldn’t) perform battery surgery on

I just replaced a battery on a third-generation Kindle, and it was as easy as you can possibly imagine. I pried the back off with a guitar plectrum, removed two screws, swapped out the battery, and put everything back the way I found it. The Kindle is now good for another five or ten years, as long as I remember to charge it this time.

I’ve also got a Nintendo DSi that needs a battery swap, which iFixitindicates is comically easy (and the same is true for my New 3DS XL). I’ve got an original Switch that has lain mostly dormant since my Switch 2 purchase, but a battery swap might fix that. Though iFixit rates this one asmoderate, I’m confident I can get to the battery and renew the device, having seen the images.

Credit: Tim Brookes / How-To Geek

I’ve also got an old iPhone 13 Pro that I’ve been meaning to give to a family member. Thisprocedure is way more involved, but for $40, iFixit sells a whole repair kit that includes a battery and all the tools you need. That’s less than half the price that Apple is asking, and it’s a chance to learn something along the way.

Of course, if you have any devices that are still under warranty, you shouldn’t perform any kind of maintenance on them. If a new device develops problems with battery life, let the manufacturer deal with it. Anything that you feel like is beyond your skill level, particularly where high-capacity batteries are concerned, isn’t worth the headache.

Bad batteries can damage your devices or worse

The term “spicy pillow” is an informal name given toa rechargeable battery that has started to expand due to gas buildup within the cell. These batteries pose a fire and explosion risk (especially when they are punctured), and you really don’t want to breathe in the gas that’s released when they go pop.

In addition to being a fire hazard, a swollen battery can damage other components like LCD panels and housing. The best way to avoid this problem is to replace the battery before it’s too late. If you end up replacing a battery that has started to swell, handle it very carefully and swiftly dispose of it responsibly at a recycling center.