SellUsediPhoneFast · Safe · Simple
Dispose of an iPhone battery by taking it, or the whole iPhone, to a battery or electronics drop-off, such as an Apple Store, a participating retailer, a Call2Recycle location or a household hazardous waste site, and never put it in household trash or curbside recycling, where lithium-ion batteries cause fires in trucks and facilities. The battery inside an iPhone is glued in place, so the simplest route is to recycle the whole phone and let the recycler remove it. A swollen battery must not be charged, pressed or shipped; take it to an in-person drop-off that accepts damaged batteries. A working iPhone 11 or later is usually worth selling instead, even with a worn battery. Swollen iPhone Battery: Safety Steps Before Selling covers swollen batteries in detail.
- Never: household trash, curbside recycling bins or mail for damaged batteries.
- Simplest: recycle the whole iPhone at an electronics drop-off.
- Loose battery: tape the terminals and bag it before drop-off.
- Swollen battery: in person only, at a location that accepts damaged batteries.
Why can lithium-ion batteries not go in the trash?
Lithium-ion batteries cannot go in the trash for 3 reasons:
- Fire risk: crushed or punctured lithium-ion batteries can short-circuit and ignite in garbage trucks, transfer stations and recycling facilities. The EPA has reported that lithium batteries cause fires at waste and recycling facilities.
- Materials: batteries contain cobalt, lithium, nickel and other materials that can be recovered and reused.
- Law: several states, including California, Minnesota, New York and Vermont, restrict rechargeable batteries in household waste.
Electronics Recycling Laws by State: A U.S. Overview covers state rules.
Where are battery drop-off points?
Battery drop-off points in the U.S. fall into 5 groups. The table lists them.
| Drop-off | What it accepts | How to find one |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Stores | Apple devices with batteries, for recycling | Apple's store locator |
| Call2Recycle locations | Rechargeable batteries and, at many sites, cell phones | Call2Recycle's online locator |
| Electronics and home improvement retailers | Rechargeable batteries and small electronics at participating stores | The store's recycling page |
| Household hazardous waste facilities | Batteries and other hazardous items from residents | The city or county solid waste office |
| Certified e-waste recyclers | Phones and other electronics | R2 and e-Stewards directories |
Call ahead before bringing a damaged or swollen battery, because not every location accepts damaged batteries.
What about swollen batteries?
Swollen batteries need extra care. Follow 5 steps:
- Stop charging and stop using the phone.
- Do not press, bend or puncture the bulge.
- Place the phone on a non-flammable surface, such as ceramic or metal, away from heat and flammable items.
- Call an Apple Store, an Apple Authorized Service Provider or a battery drop-off to confirm it accepts damaged batteries.
- Carry it in person, in a non-flammable container if available. Do not mail it.
U.S. Department of Transportation rules and the U.S. Postal Service prohibit mailing damaged or defective lithium batteries through ordinary channels.
Should I remove the battery from my iPhone?
Do not remove the battery from an iPhone at home. iPhone batteries are held with adhesive, and prying them out can bend or puncture the cell, which can cause a fire. Recycle the whole phone, and the recycler removes the battery safely. Battery replacements for continued use are done by Apple, an Apple Authorized Service Provider or a trained repair shop.
How do I handle a loose iPhone battery?
Handle a loose iPhone battery, such as one removed during a repair, in 4 steps:
- Cover the connector or terminals with clear tape to prevent short circuits.
- Place it in its own clear plastic bag, separate from other batteries and metal objects.
- Store it in a cool, dry place away from flammable items.
- Take it to a battery drop-off soon.
Call2Recycle recommends taping terminals or bagging batteries individually before drop-off.
What should I do before recycling the whole phone?
Before recycling the whole phone, complete 4 steps if the phone still works:
- Back up the phone.
- Turn off Find My and sign out of the Apple Account.
- Erase all content and settings.
- Remove the SIM card, if the phone has a tray.
A phone that does not turn on can be removed from the Apple Account at icloud.com/find. How to Factory Reset an iPhone Before Selling It covers the steps.
Is a worn battery a reason to recycle the phone?
A worn battery is not a reason to recycle an iPhone 11 or later, because the phone still has resale value and a battery replacement restores it for another owner. A Service message in Battery Health adds a deduction to the offer, but the phone still sells. Battery Service Message on iPhone: What It Means for Selling explains the deduction, and Recycle or Sell Your Old iPhone? How to Decide covers the choice.
What happens to recycled iPhone batteries?
Recycled iPhone batteries are sorted, discharged and processed to recover metals such as cobalt, lithium and nickel, which return to battery and other supply chains. Apple reports that the iPhone 16 battery uses 100% recycled cobalt, by mass balance allocation, and 100% recycled lithium in the cathode, showing the demand for recovered battery materials.
How do I store old phones safely until drop-off?
Store old phones safely until drop-off by keeping them at room temperature, out of direct sun and away from flammable materials, and by checking them for swelling. Do not store phones in hot cars or near heaters. Phones stored for years can develop swollen batteries, so recycle or sell them rather than keeping them indefinitely.
Are AirPods and Apple Watch batteries handled the same way?
AirPods and Apple Watch batteries are lithium-ion and are handled the same way: recycle the whole device at an electronics or battery drop-off, and never put it in the trash. Do not try to open AirPods or an Apple Watch to remove the battery. Working models can be sold for cash. How to Sell an Apple Watch: Unpair, Price and Ship covers Apple Watch.
What if a battery starts smoking?
If a battery starts smoking or becomes very hot, move away from it and keep others away. If it is safe to do so, move it to a non-flammable surface outdoors using a non-flammable tool, or leave it in place if moving it is unsafe. Call 911 if a fire starts and follow the dispatcher's instructions. Do not touch the battery with bare hands.
How do disposal options compare?
Disposal options differ in convenience and in what they accept. The table compares the common routes for an iPhone with an internal battery.
| Option | Accepts whole phones | Accepts damaged batteries | Pays money |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash buyback | Yes, iPhone 11 and later | No; swollen batteries cannot be shipped | Yes |
| Apple Store or Apple Trade In | Yes | In store, after a call ahead | Credit for eligible devices |
| Call2Recycle location | Many sites | Some sites | No |
| Household hazardous waste facility | Usually | Usually | No |
| Certified e-waste recycler | Yes | Often | No |
What is thermal runaway?
Thermal runaway is a self-heating chain reaction inside a damaged lithium-ion cell, in which rising heat triggers further reactions that release more heat, gas and sometimes flames. Puncturing, crushing, overcharging or extreme heat can start it. Once started, it is hard to stop, which is why damaged batteries are kept away from trash compactors, mail sorting equipment and flammable items.
How do I recycle a phone that has been in water?
Recycle a phone that has been in water the same way as any other phone, after it dries and shows no swelling or heat. Do not charge a wet phone. A water-damaged iPhone 11 or later can often be sold instead, priced on its faults. Can You Sell a Water-Damaged iPhone? explains how liquid damage is priced.
Do recycling bins at work or school accept batteries?
Many workplaces and schools run battery collection bins through programs such as Call2Recycle. Check the bin's label for accepted items and drop phones only where phones are listed. Tape loose battery terminals first.
Is there a cost to recycle a phone battery?
Recycling a phone battery is free at most U.S. drop-offs, because state laws and industry programs fund collection of rechargeable batteries.
What signs mean a battery is unsafe to keep?
Five signs mean a battery is unsafe to keep and needs a drop-off soon:
| Sign | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Swelling | A lifted screen, a bulging back or a phone that rocks on a table |
| Heat at rest | The phone is hot while idle and unplugged |
| Odor | A sweet or chemical smell from the phone |
| Hissing or crackling | Sounds from inside the phone |
| Physical damage | A punctured, bent or crushed phone body |
Any one of these signs means the phone must not be charged, used or mailed.
Can I sell a phone and keep the old battery out?
A phone is sold with its battery in place; buybacks test and grade the battery as part of the phone. Do not remove the battery before selling. A phone with a healthy or worn battery ships normally with the free prepaid label. Only a swollen or damaged battery prevents shipping. Sell iPhone for Cash gives a quote for any accepted model.
How often should I check stored phones?
Check stored phones every few months for swelling, and recycle or sell them rather than keeping them for years.
Do battery replacements create battery waste?
A battery replacement produces one old battery, which the repairer recycles under its own program. Apple and Apple Authorized Service Providers recycle the batteries they replace. When a battery is replaced by an independent shop, ask how it handles the old cell. Replacing a battery still produces far less waste than replacing the whole phone, because the rest of the device stays in use.
What should businesses do with many old batteries?
Businesses with many old batteries or devices use a certified recycler or a battery collection program with business service, such as Call2Recycle's programs, and keep records of each shipment.
Can I bring an iPhone battery to a curbside battery program?
Some cities run curbside battery collection with special bags or bins, separate from regular recycling. Use it only if the city's program lists lithium-ion batteries or phones, and follow its packing instructions, such as taping terminals.
Does Apple accept non-Apple batteries?
Apple's recycling program is designed for Apple products. Recycle non-Apple batteries through Call2Recycle or a household hazardous waste site instead.
Frequently asked questions about disposing of an iPhone battery
How do I dispose of an old iPhone battery?
Take the battery, or the whole iPhone, to an Apple Store, a Call2Recycle location, a participating retailer, a household hazardous waste facility or a certified e-waste recycler. Never put it in household trash or curbside recycling. Recycling the whole phone is simplest, because iPhone batteries are glued in place. Check the phone for swelling before any charge, shipment or drop-off.
Can I throw an iPhone battery in the trash?
Do not throw an iPhone battery in the trash. Lithium-ion batteries can ignite when crushed in garbage trucks and facilities, and several states, including California, Minnesota, New York and Vermont, restrict rechargeable batteries in household waste. Use a battery or electronics drop-off instead. Call the drop-off location first to confirm it accepts damaged batteries.
Where can I recycle a swollen phone battery?
Recycle a swollen phone battery in person at an Apple Store, an Apple Authorized Service Provider, a battery recycler or a household hazardous waste facility that accepts damaged batteries. Call ahead first. Do not charge, press or mail it, because federal rules prohibit mailing damaged lithium batteries through ordinary channels.
Should I take the battery out of my iPhone before recycling it?
Do not take the battery out at home. iPhone batteries are held with adhesive, and prying them out can puncture the cell and start a fire. Recycle the whole phone after erasing it and signing out of the Apple Account, and the recycler removes the battery safely. Store a damaged phone on a non-flammable surface away from heat until drop-off.
Is my iPhone worth selling if the battery is bad?
An iPhone 11 or later is usually worth selling even with a worn battery, because the phone keeps resale value and a replacement restores the battery for the next owner. A battery Service message adds a deduction to the offer. A swollen battery is different: the phone must not be shipped.
Sources and references
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): used lithium-ion batteries, and lithium battery fires at waste facilities.
- Call2Recycle: battery drop-off locator and handling tips.
- U.S. Postal Service: Publication 52, mailing lithium batteries.