Replacing the battery in your tech

Replacing your battery is best

Tossing a functional device into landfill is bad for you, because you have to pay for a replacement. But it’s worse for the planet – toxic heavy metals in tech, such as lead and cadmium, become environmental and health risks. Manufacturing your replacement device uses more metal, oil and energy. While you can recycle your old tech as e-waste to save a little energy and recover some materials, using it for longer is much better. If your phone has a spent battery, you should replace and recycle the battery and keep the device in use – but it’s not always that easy.

Manufacturers go to extreme lengths to stop you maintaining and repairing your devices. They’re often glued shut, making it tougher to open them undamaged and forcing you to reseal with your own glue. Apple uses a unique screw on iPhones and MacBooks to prevent you opening them with your own screwdriver. Companies want to maintain control over your tech, even for basic maintenance like a battery replacement. In our view, you’ve paid for it, so it should be yours.

Mobile phones and tablets

If you’ve had a phone or tablet for a couple of years, you’ve probably noticed its battery life disappearing to some extent. That’s normal, but if it barely lasts half of what it used to or shuts off without warning when it drops below a certain charge, it’s due for a new battery.

A few years ago, it would’ve been an easy fix. Nearly every phone could be pried open, the battery easily removed and replaced. These days, nearly every device is glued shut, with a non-removable battery. You can get into them, but you need specialist equipment and a good tutorial. If you’re not confident enough to get your hands dirty, you’re often forced to use an official repairer, which can cost well over $100 for parts, labour and shipping.

Mobile phone battery replacement by brand

Laptops and other devices

Laptop batteries usually last longer than those in smaller devices, but it depends on usage. Some laptops have easily replaceable batteries, as not all manufacturers have started gluing them shut. You can order a replacement battery online, but stick to official resellers or stores you trust – third-party batteries are cheaper, but can be unsafe.

For many smaller devices, replacing batteries isn’t commonplace as you’re expected to simply buy a new device. Wireless earbuds, such as AirPods, are emerging as the worst offenders because their small batteries wear out fairly quickly. The tiny devices are packed so tightly with components that even an official repairer can’t get in to replace the battery. Even worse, there’s no economic value in recycling them due to their size, so the products often end up in landfill. We don’t think that’s good enough.

If you feel your battery has died too early, you may be entitled to a replacement under the Consumer Guarantees Act. That’s good for you, but the only way to avoid the environmental damage is to not buy them in the first place.

Extend your battery's lifespan

Replacing a battery is much better than throwing out a device, but it’s even nicer if you don’t need to do either. Advice for looking after lithium-ion batteries might surprise you, and even contradict how you maintained older styles of battery. Here are our three big tips:

• Avoid full discharges when possible. Letting your battery get below about 20 percent damages the capacity, so try to find a charger before then. If it gets all the way to zero, recharge it as soon as you can.
• Don’t let your battery get hot. Let your device cool down for a while if it’s running hot after heavy use, and don’t leave it in the sun for too long. Charging only produces enough heat to cause damage if it’s trapped somehow, so if your phone’s on the charger overnight you should leave it on a hard surface and remove its case.
• Don’t leave it fully charged for too long. A full battery can lose capacity after a few months without use. Before you leave your device behind for a lengthy trip, consider depleting it a bit first. If your laptop’s always plugged in, let the battery drain once a month.

So your battery's dead. What can you do?