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

Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
wwdc sans text feature

Apple Rumored to Announce New Product on February 19

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld. The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld. Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
Finder Siri Feature

Why Apple's iOS 26.4 Siri Upgrade Will Be Bigger Than Originally Promised

Friday February 6, 2026 3:06 pm PST by
In the iOS 26.4 update that's coming this spring, Apple will introduce a new version of Siri that's going to overhaul how we interact with the personal assistant and what it's able to do. The iOS 26.4 version of Siri won't work like ChatGPT or Claude, but it will rely on large language models (LLMs) and has been updated from the ground up. Upgraded Architecture The next-generation...
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
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week 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...
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

iPhone 18 Pro Max Rumored to Deliver Next-Level Battery Life

Friday February 6, 2026 5:14 am PST by
The iPhone 18 Pro Max will feature a bigger battery for continued best-in-class battery life, according to a known Weibo leaker. Citing supply chain information, the Weibo user known as "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone 18 Pro Max will have a battery capacity of 5,100 to 5,200 mAh. Combined with the efficiency improvements of the A20 Pro chip, made with TSMC's 2nm process, the...

Top Rated Comments

russell_314 Avatar
18 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
18 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
18 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
18 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
18 months ago
Probably can use this for shock therapy to stop bad habits.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lkrupp Avatar
18 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)