My iPhone 13 has a swollen battery and a small dent near the top corner. Will Apple repair only the battery, or could they require the dent or other damage to be fixed first? I also may not be able to afford service for a few weeks. Is it safe to turn the phone off and store it at home until then?
3 Answers
A swollen lithium-ion battery should be treated as a safety issue, not a normal repair. Turn the phone off if you can do so safely, do not charge or use it, and keep it away from heat, sparks, flammable materials, and people. Don’t put it in a refrigerator or seal it in a box. Contact Apple or an authorized repair provider as soon as possible and ask how they want you to handle it until drop-off. If it becomes hot, starts smoking, leaks, or gives off an unusual smell, move away and contact emergency services.
The safest next step is to call the service location first and ask about their battery-safety procedure. Don’t press on the screen or back, try to remove the battery, or continue using the phone just because the swelling looks minor.
Take it to an Apple Store or authorized service location and explain that the battery is swollen before handing it over. Keep the phone powered off and isolated in a cool, dry, nonflammable place while arranging service, but don’t wait several weeks if you can avoid it. A cardboard or phone box is not reliable protection if the battery vents or catches fire.
A small dent may affect whether Apple offers a battery-only repair. They’ll need to inspect the enclosure and may quote a different repair or replacement, so the store can give you the definite answer.