Apple Introduces Low Voltage Battery Adhesive Removal for iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
Apple has introduced the ability to use low voltage to remove the iPhone 16’s battery adhesive, making battery replacement easier, according to a new report from TechCrunch.
The site says the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus feature a new adhesive design that can be loosened by applying low voltage from a 9-volt battery. This corroborates rumors leading up to Apple’s September 9th event.
Glue has arguably been the biggest thorn in the side of DIY repairers. The thinner devices have become, the more manufacturers like Apple have grown dependent on the stuff in the place of screws. This is the reason that Apple’s Self-Service Repair kit was so massive; it included a machine for melting down the glue for a battery swap.
Unfortunately, this ionized adhesive is not present on the iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, the Pro models are said to feature a rearchitected interior, making it easier to access key components. Additionally, the LiDAR Scanner is now serviceable, and the TrueDepth Camera can be repaired without needing to tether the device to a Mac.
Alongside these hardware updates, Apple has introduced a Repair Assistant with the release of iOS 18. The app will assist professionals and consumers in calibrating various modules after they’ve been replaced.
We’ll likely learn more about the iPhone 16’s repairability once the first teardowns are performed. The iPhone 16 will be released on Friday, and teardowns usually arrive shortly afterward.