Good afternoon, colleagues! Is there any kind of detailed guide for changing the battery of iPhones for people who can't see? I am asking this because the tutorials we find on the internet, mostly in video format, do not explain in much detail what should be done based on someone who is not seeing anything. I'm trying to change the battery of my iPhone 4s, for example, because it's not possible to take it to Apple due to the age of the device, but I can't even find some of the screws needed to remove the component, lol! I just wanted to know if any of you have already made the exchange and if there is any guide focused on blind people to help, because I believe that it is possible to do the procedure, in the same way that I know blind people who set up computers on their own. It is worth mentioning that I do not want to encourage anyone to do this procedure alone, and may even lose the warranty of their devices or their functionality.
Comments
Repair Shop
Even if you had the right tools, I imagine this would be very difficult if not impossible for most blind people. You need a heat gun to take the adhesive holding the screen off and I think there are also really small screws that must be taken out with a tri-point screwdriver. Blame Apple for being so anti-repair, but more importantly, blame the masses that either don't know and/or care they can't repair their own devices.
I Wouldn't Want to...
My mother offered a little while back to take my iPhone 7 in to get a new battery but we ended up not going that route because while my battery has degraded somewhat, I don't think it was an emergency situation. Several years ago at a rehab-training facility here in the Chicago area, my computer instructor actually took apart a few computers running Windows, just so that he could show us the motherboards. It was pretty cool. Keep in mind this was in the late-90s so I think Macs were still in their infancy. All that said, I wouldn't trust myself to take apart an iPhone. This coming from somebody with only light perception. A lot of moving parts would be damaged otherwise, and I don't want that. There've been a few times when my iPhone almost fell to the ground, but luckily it never did.
very very risky
I used to build talking devices for blind users using point to point wiring on breadboards. You place the components where you want them, then bend the leads or wrap them around each other, then use a soldering iron and electronic solder th connect them. Then you put the finished boards into a bakelite cabinet along with the batteries, and screw the cabinet together. Having said this, I think that it would be extremely difficult to replace an iPhone battery. You have to find a safe way to melt the glue that holds the case closed without overehating the case or internal components. The screws that are used are hard to work with. The battery is soldered in place, so you have to remove the solder, then solder the new battery in place, apply glue to the case pieces, line it up correctly and quickly, then screw it back together. Do not apply too much glue, or quickly and neatly remove excess. Are you sure you want to try this project with an expensive piece of equipment?
RE: very very risky
Yeah, that's exactly why I'm trying to do the process on an old iPhone 4s, which will only make me miss if everything goes wrong lol! Anyway, I'm looking for brave blind people to help me with this, to give me a light, with the pardon of the pun! Too bad I don't have a box with one or two old phones, in which I can work without fear of making mistakes, because it's by making mistakes that you learn
Lithium
Ya, I've watched a few videos of people accidentally starting smartphone batteries on fire while repairing them, but I was watching them because my iPhone 6 battery was swelling.
Not much else I can say. I've only dabbled, and nothing anywhere that tiny. Soldering is a pain, but sometimes you can set up a moving, third hand with a piece of solder to swing down and touch the leads after you heat them. A circuit that small and crammed would be horrible to work with. Desoldering can also be a pain, like when you don't realize the components are epoxied to the board and end up frying them trying to get that phantom dab of solder that seems to not want to let go.
DIfferent opinion
I have replaced my kids digitiser many many times and the process as smooth as butter. My thought on this if you have the right tools and if you are willing to do then you can. However, in all instances I replaced with my my wife watching over the process, so that I won’t screw up the whole thing. So if you have someone around let them watch with you some videos on how to to do it, then proceed with care. The battery is glued not soldered, there is a flex cable running along the top and it is screwed into the top right of the device I believe. If you order a new battery, probably they will ship the required tools along with the replacement battery. Also do not forget to dispose the dead battery properly.
Again, if you have the right tools and some sighted assistance then go for it.
RÉ: DIfferent opinion
Thank you very much, my friend! I believe you can visualize the correct path that I should take. I'll see if I ask for help from a friendly eye to guide me in relation to the positioning of the pieces, I think it will work...
Easier to go to the shop
I personally don't find it a good idea to replace an iPhone battery without taking it to the store. I wish Apple would design their devices differently to enable everybody to repair their own phones, though.
I'm disappointed by everyone…
I'm disappointed by everyone's lack of adventure! I believe you can do it. I don't have direct details on how to swap out the battery but, as a maker/tinkerer with several 3D printers and a bunch of self assembled tech, I know that it can be done. More general advice when doing any project like this is:
1. Get the right tools: You should be able to get the tools with the battery replacement kit. There is nothing worse than having the wrong tool for the job which, at best makes it almost impossible to complete, at worst, ruins the project in hand. If the kit doesn't come with the write screwdriver, I think it will be easily researched. I also believe there may be some sort of suction cup for many kits to lift off the front/back to access the guts.
2. Do it over a tray: Dropping tiny screws, for us, is usually game over. Get a tray, preferably with sloped sides to help you lift out those troublesome little screws and components.
3. Little pots for organisation: Once something is apart, put the individual components in pot and remember what goes where. A generic bowl of mixed up screws that are about the same size, but not quite, is a nightmare.
4. Take your time: 90 % of any project like this is familiarising yourself with the device. Sighted people do it through visual inspection, we do it through touch. It comes to the same thing.
5. Compile what you can learn: Much of the time such guides are in youtube format with little to no verbal description. It is going to have to be a case of piecing together clues to get the whole picture. A throw away sentence such as, 'down here next to the lightning port' is gold. Yeah, you don't know exactly where, but you have an area to inspect and probe for screw holes.
6. Be patient: You'll get annoyed, frustrated and, sadly, there is a higher chance of failure than there might be for someone with sight. This is something we have to accept going in, but, the more we do this sort of thing, the better we get. Don't force things, don't jab, stab, peel or puncture. Go carefully, go gently. These are little delicate components. They can take some abuse, I've thought I've fried several boards on various things many times only to find it was a different issue that was preventing the device from working. Still, be careful.
7. Never be afraid to ask for help: There are communities out there, especially on reddit, who love this sort of thing. Moreover, when they hear about a problem they love to fix it. It's our catnip. You might not hit gold straight away, but there will be some people who will, like me, be routing for you and want to give as much help as they can. Mostly people love the maverick attitude of someone, like us, facing adversity in a difficult situation. Sell the story to them, they'll love it. Tinkering and being a maker is all about problem solving.
Good luck and keep us all up to date with your progress.
Adventure
The Oliver Kennett's suggestions of the correct tools and tray etc is a must. I'd add in an anti-static wrist band to ground yourself. I guess that model of iPhone has a non-soldered battery, and that raises your odds of success. Is it just me, or are burned fingertips a part of being blind...?
Battery and other phone stuff.
I would just go to my Verizon or whatever your carrier is, Store. They might even do this for free so all you would have to buy is the new battery.
You could remove the battery but
Isnt the battery atheard to the phone
Pulling apart an iPhone 4S
Hello,
This is absolutely possible. I unearthed an old 4S and pulled it apart to do this just now, it has been a few years so I did not want to give incorrect information on how easy/hard it was.
Happy to provide instructions if requested!
**note**. If I provide you instruction, it is not my fault if you break your device.
Yes please
Using an iPhone 6s Plus. This poor thing needs a new battery