iPad Battery is failing ...

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

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.

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.

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

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..

And, I understand, make sure your iPad is completely backed up before you start as it WILL reset the memory apparently.

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?!

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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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

Ah, an iPad. So last quinquennium

Neil

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

MichaelG.

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Almost settled on buying the new 9.7" iPad Pro

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.