iFixit Releases New USB-Powered Tool to Remove iPhone 16's Battery

The batteries inside the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus use an innovative type of adhesive that can be loosened with low-voltage electrical current. Apple's official repair guide recommends using a 9V battery with alligator clips for this process, but DIY repair website iFixit has released a new USB-powered tool as an alternative solution.

iFixit VoltClip
As reported by The Verge, iFixit is now selling a VoltClip tool that is essentially a pair of alligator clips with an integrated USB-C adapter. With a USB-C to USB-C cable, which is not provided, you can connect the tool to any USB-C charger or device that supports 9V or 12V output. iFixit has a step-by-step guide with complete instructions.

The adhesive debonding process takes roughly 60 to 90 seconds.

The tool is available for $10.95 on iFixit's online store in the U.S., with same-day shipping available on orders placed before 1 p.m. Pacific Time each day.

This electrical removal process does not extend to iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max batteries, which still have stretch-release adhesive pull tabs.

Related Roundup: iPhone 16
Tag: iFixit
Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

Aston Martin CarPlay Ultra Screen

Apple's CarPlay Ultra to Expand to These Vehicle Brands Later This Year

Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon. In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In his Powe...
Apple Logo Black

Apple's Next Launch is 'Imminent'

Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models. "All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Apple MacBook Pro M4 hero

New MacBook Pros Reportedly Launching Alongside macOS 26.3

Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
We are still waiting for the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate to come out, so the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week or two away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
14 inch MacBook Pro Keyboard

Apple Changes How You Order a Mac

Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro. There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...

Top Rated Comments

russell_314 Avatar
17 months ago
It’s nice to see innovation in this area. One day we’ll be able to pop the back of our phones without tools to swap the battery ?
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
california_kid Avatar
17 months ago

I never understood why batteries need to be glued in place at all. It doesn't have any room to move around anyway when the phone is assembled.

Someone please educate me if I'm totally wrong here.
the battery is the heaviest component inside the iPhone. If the fit is completely flush, kinetic energy will transfer when the iPhone is dropped. Bad things happen - battery gets damaged and/or internal components get damaged. Leaving a small gap and making sure the battery is securely glued down eliminates this risk. The glue probably acts like a thermal pad to transfer some heat to the metal case.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Reeneman Avatar
17 months ago

It’s nice to see innovation in this area. One day we’ll be able to pop the back of our phones without tools to swap the battery ?
Back to the future ?
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
7thson Avatar
17 months ago
Good thing they got this out there in such a timely fashion. People are gonna need this in…
? checks watch ?
…2 years. Maybe.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
california_kid Avatar
17 months ago
Probably can use this for shock therapy to stop bad habits.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lkrupp Avatar
17 months ago

Good thing they got this out there in such a timely fashion. People are gonna need this in…
? checks watch ?
…2 years. Maybe.
The usual suspects on teach blogs are already claiming their iPhone 16 batteries are losing health at an alarming rate and demand a free replacement. It never ends. ?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)