iPad Battery is failing …

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iPad Battery is failing …

This topic has 28 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 22 May 2016 at 17:05 by Ajohnw.

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21 May 2016 at 09:38 #239576
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
My 'original' iPad, has been in daily use:

It is now showing signs of imminent battery failure, so I have some questions:
1. When the battery dies completely, is there any way I can use it on external power ?
2. Can anyone advise regarding DIY battery replacement
I will doubtless buy a new iPad, but would like to continue using this one in the workshop.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 21/05/2016 09:39:18
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21 May 2016 at 09:38 #31837
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
21 May 2016 at 09:51 #239579
Chris Shelton
Participant
@chrisshelton11794
Hello,

Apple offer a battery replacement service, £75.00 plus £7.44 return postage.

All the batteries offered on the famous auction site are not genuine.

Also iPads are rather difficult to dismantle, without damaging the touch screen.
21 May 2016 at 10:03 #239582
korby
Participant
@korby
You can use it hooked up to a USB pSU even with a dud batt, I have a IPAD and IPhone son gave me with tired batts

Can use the iPhone fed from power bank when mobile but not very convienant .

Despite a life time of electronics cannot see how to open them without damage.
21 May 2016 at 10:09 #239583
Mike Poole
Participant
@mikepoole82104
The procedure to dismantle an iPad is on YouTube, it looks fraught with danger of destroying the screen. The apple repair is probably a good deal.

Mike
21 May 2016 at 10:30 #239586
Muzzer
Participant
@muzzer
I've dismantled an iPad and it's not for the feint hearted. As Michael says there are videos on Youtube but they don't really convey the full horror.

First step to remove the screen is warming it all around the edge with a hair drier. This softens the adhesive to a tacky consistency (everything is held behind the glass screen which is glued in place). Then you pry the glass away from the metal body using a guitar plectrum or a special tool of similar thickness. Clearly the glass bends a fair bit during this process and if you are hoping to reuse it, this is a risky operation.

The real difficulty is removing the screen / digitiser without damaging any of the multiple ribbon cables that are strung around the periphery of the body. These connect the switches, cameras, wifi aerial etc to the main boards and are positioned like a fiendish perimeter trap. If you poke the tool anywhere near them they demise. Despite watching the videos beforehand, I managed to liquidise several of them. The replacements are surprisingly cheap but the job easily develops legs and runs off on you.

My daughter's iPad is still working although the replacement screen I fitted is now holed in several places(!). But I won't be attempting another repair.

So yes, it is possible to do it yourself but it's like changing car tires with a couple of spades and a crowbar – been there, done that but it's far better to get someone experienced to do it properly with the right tools..
21 May 2016 at 10:37 #239591
John Haine
Participant
@johnhaine32865
And, I understand, make sure your iPad is completely backed up before you start as it WILL reset the memory apparently.
21 May 2016 at 11:01 #239600
Vic
Participant
@vic
I have an iPad 3 and when the battery starts to fail I won't hesitate to buy a new one, it's been great value IMO.

The question is though, iPad Air or iPad Pro?!
21 May 2016 at 11:05 #239601
korby
Participant
@korby
Think I will pass on this job have fixed a lot of dodgy electronics over the years but this sounds a step too far.

Apple hope you will buy new .

Worst of all of course is washing machines have this dream of them being taken out in a nuclear strike along with the European Parliament.

Right that is enough wittering for now.
21 May 2016 at 11:36 #239607
Harry Wilkes
Participant
@harrywilkes58467
Posted by Muzzer on 21/05/2016 10:30:24:

I've dismantled an iPad and it's not for the feint hearted. As Michael says there are videos on Youtube but they don't really convey the full horror.

First step to remove the screen is warming it all around the edge with a hair drier. This softens the adhesive to a tacky consistency (everything is held behind the glass screen which is glued in place). Then you pry the glass away from the metal body using a guitar plectrum or a special tool of similar thickness. Clearly the glass bends a fair bit during this process and if you are hoping to reuse it, this is a risky operation.

The real difficulty is removing the screen / digitiser without damaging any of the multiple ribbon cables that are strung around the periphery of the body. These connect the switches, cameras, wifi aerial etc to the main boards and are positioned like a fiendish perimeter trap. If you poke the tool anywhere near them they demise. Despite watching the videos beforehand, I managed to liquidise several of them. The replacements are surprisingly cheap but the job easily develops legs and runs off on you.

My daughter's iPad is still working although the replacement screen I fitted is now holed in several places(!). But I won't be attempting another repair.

So yes, it is possible to do it yourself but it's like changing car tires with a couple of spades and a crowbar – been there, done that but it's far better to get someone experienced to do it properly with the right tools..

I agree with Muzzer can be done but not for the feint hearted !
21 May 2016 at 12:26 #239613
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Chris Shelton on 21/05/2016 09:51:02:

Hello,

Apple offer a battery replacement service, £75.00 plus £7.44 return postage.

All the batteries offered on the famous auction site are not genuine.

Also iPads are rather difficult to dismantle, without damaging the touch screen.

.

Thanks … Yes, I knew all that, and also that Apple does it on a 'service exchange' basis [thus losing any of my data in the process].

Given that mine is limited to iOS 5.1.1 it's probably not worth that much

MichaelG.
21 May 2016 at 12:37 #239614
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by korby on 21/05/2016 10:03:06:

You can use it hooked up to a USB pSU even with a dud batt, I have a IPAD and IPhone son gave me with tired batts

.

That's very interesting [the advice I was looking for], but I can't see how.

… When my battery is fully discharged [red line on the icon], and the charger connected, the the device will not even show the passcode screen. Is it now a matter of never letting it reach that condition?

MichaelG.
21 May 2016 at 12:44 #239616
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Vic on 21/05/2016 11:01:22:

I have an iPad 3 and when the battery starts to fail I won't hesitate to buy a new one, it's been great value IMO.

The question is though, iPad Air or iPad Pro?!

.

My iPad v1 has been the best value-for-money item I have ever bought, Vic, and I will gladly buy another iPad.

… I need to handle the iPad Pro before I decide, but I think it's probably too big.

MichaelG.
21 May 2016 at 12:56 #239617
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Harry Wilkes on 21/05/2016 11:36:09

I agree with Muzzer can be done but not for the feint hearted !

.

Michael/Muzzer/Harry,

Thanks … I've seen videos and don't like the look of the job

… That's really why I posted the questions

[1] is definitely my preferred option

Assuming that it can be done; I will let this one live out its days 'tethered'

MichaelG.
21 May 2016 at 13:25 #239623
Alex Collins
Participant
@alexcollins55045
As others have said..
Pay Apple their money and get them to do it.

You have a Genuine Apple repair with Warrenty and genuine apple parts that won't explode or catch fire.

You can get an iPad apart but the chances of cracking the screen are very high.

There are also several wires and other bit to negociate whilst dismantling it. All very fine and fragile.
21 May 2016 at 13:52 #239629
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Thanks, Alex

I think I had already reached my conclusion.

I will be buying a new iPad and if possible using this one on external power.

MichaelG.
21 May 2016 at 13:55 #239630
Martin 100
Participant
@martin100
Posted by Michael Gilligan on 21/05/2016 13:52:30:

I will be buying a new iPad and if possible using this one on external power.

The 100% charge that results from that (Apple iirc allowing no other charge level) leads to the lowest battery life for Lithium based batteries
21 May 2016 at 14:08 #239633
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Martin 100 on 21/05/2016 13:55:57:

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 21/05/2016 13:52:30:

I will be buying a new iPad and if possible using this one on external power.

The 100% charge that results from that (Apple iirc allowing no other charge level) leads to the lowest battery life for Lithium based batteries

.

Martin,

I think we may be at cross purposes … My fault for not being explicit:

"I will be buying a new iPad and if possible using this one on external power."

Should have read:

"I will be buying a new iPad for normal use and also, if possible, will continue to use this old one with the dud battery in the workshop, on external power.

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 21/05/2016 14:09:53
21 May 2016 at 15:37 #239648
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
Ah, an iPad. So last quinquennium

Neil
21 May 2016 at 15:57 #239652
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Neil Wyatt on 21/05/2016 15:37:58:

Ah, an iPad. So last quinquennium

.

The one currently in decline is almost exactly six years old , so it's last-but-one quinquennium.

MichaelG.

.

Almost settled on buying the new 9.7" iPad Pro
21 May 2016 at 19:02 #239673
Enough!
Participant
@enough
Posted by Michael Gilligan on 21/05/2016 13:52:30:

I will be buying a new iPad and if possible using this one on external power.

You might also consider buying a refurbished one from the Apple online store. I did that recently (in Canada) for an iPad Air-2 at a decent saving and frankly, I can't tell it from new. I'm toying with the idea of replacing my iPad Mini and I'd certainly go the same route.

As far as running the old one on external power, I have doubts if the battery is truly kaput. I've noticed on my iPads and iPods that if the battery gets really low (i.e. empty) I can't run it simply by plugging it in to external power. I have to wait for it to build up some battery charge first. If the battery will at least hold some charge it could work.

I have an iPod Touch that I tried fitting a new battery in. The re-assembled (but highly flakey) result is sitting in a drawer in the workshop.

There are third-parties around that claim to fit new batteries. Usually the same ones that unlock phones. Prices much better than Apple's. You might want to ask around locally if anyone has tried them.
21 May 2016 at 19:39 #239678
Vic
Participant
@vic
Posted by Michael Gilligan on 21/05/2016 12:44:45:

Posted by Vic on 21/05/2016 11:01:22:

I have an iPad 3 and when the battery starts to fail I won't hesitate to buy a new one, it's been great value IMO.

The question is though, iPad Air or iPad Pro?!

.

My iPad v1 has been the best value-for-money item I have ever bought, Vic, and I will gladly buy another iPad.

… I need to handle the iPad Pro before I decide, but I think it's probably too big.

MichaelG.

Apple recently made a 9.7 inch iPad Pro Michael so you have a choice of sizes. Think I'd go for the smaller Pro over the Air actually as the spec sounds good.
21 May 2016 at 20:22 #239683
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Vic on 21/05/2016 19:39:43:

Apple recently made a 9.7 inch iPad Pro Michael so you have a choice of sizes. Think I'd go for the smaller Pro over the Air actually as the spec sounds good.

.

Thanks Vic,

Yes, I spent some of this afternoon comparing specs. and that is probably the one to go for … The only downside I have found, so far, is that the 9.7" only has USB2, but the big one is USB3

MichaelG.
21 May 2016 at 20:41 #239686
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Posted by Bandersnatch on 21/05/2016 19:02:33:

… As far as running the old one on external power, I have doubts if the battery is truly kaput. I've noticed on my iPads and iPods that if the battery gets really low (i.e. empty) I can't run it simply by plugging it in to external power. I have to wait for it to build up some battery charge first. If the battery will at least hold some charge it could work.

.

The battery isn't dead yet … I'm just planning ahead

It has recently, and quite suddenly, gone from lasting 10 hours to lasting about 4, and has started shutting-down at about 23% instead of about 3% [not consistently, but often enough to be worrying.

It's been used almost every day for six years, so it doesn't owe me anything.

… I'm just hoping to keep it going for a while

MichaelG.
21 May 2016 at 21:01 #239688
Ajohnw
Participant
@ajohnw51620
There are OEM batteries on ebay and some may come with a toolkit. Some of the one's for iPhones do.

I've done other things following youtube video's and would definitely give it a go. I'd just avoid fitting a battery that had a higher capacity than the original. In fact a little lower might not hurt. The one I fitted in my TomTom was like that as I had a higher capacity model. So far same neglect and use and it's outlasted the original one by a factor of over 2 now.

I do pick the video's I choose carefully.

John

–

Edited By Ajohnw on 21/05/2016 21:02:57
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