iPod Battery Replacement Resource Center

iPod Battery Basics

TECHNOLOGY USED

Lithium-ion batteries (sometimes abbreviated Li-ion batteries) are a type of rechargeable battery commonly used in consumer electronics. They are currently one of the most popular types of battery for portable electronics, with one of the best energy-to-weight ratios, no memory effect and a slow loss of charge when not in use.

HISTORY

The first workable lithium cells were created in the early 1970s at Exxon Central Research and Development. Lithium-ion batteries became a reality after Bell Labs report of a workable graphite anode. However, it took till 1991 for the first commercial version to be created by Sony to be available to the market.

General FAQ's about iPod Batteries

Does my iPod battery have a warranty with Apple?
Your iPod has a 1 year warranty but it does not cover the battery.

What type of batteries is in iPods?
All iPod's have built-in, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Does the battery ever wear out?
Yes all batteries do! Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and will eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings.

How can I tell if I need a new iPod Battery ?
If your iPod works fine when connected to the power source, but shuts down a shortly after being disconnected you need a new iPod battery. Another indicator is if it only holds a charge for an hour or two and then dies quickly. Depending on how often you use your iPod, the battery should last between a year to a year and a half (12-18 months).

How do I know what iPod model I have?
Simply view the images and descriptions on our Homepage. Although they look very similar, once you take a close look, you will see the differences and quickly figure out which iPod model is yours. The Photo model, 4th Generation, and the red and black U2 model can use the same battery.

Click here for more information about the different models and generations.

If my iPod battery dies completely, will I loose my music?
No! Your music, video, and/or pictures are stored on the hard-drive and is completely independent of your battery.

Is my Longlast Battery charged when I get it?
Your Longlast Battery is only partially charged for best storage usage. Simply charge the battery in your iPod with the AC power plug. We recommend that you leave the battery to charge overnight for the first time, even if the user manual indicates that the charging time is a few hours.

Can I change my iPod battery?
Yes you can, but it depends upon the iPod model and your skill level. Your iPod replacement battery is sealed tightly due to the tight tolerance because of Apple's high design requirements. Many generic battery resellers can't offer a professional replacement service, so they do not inform the public about any potential difficulties of changing the battery between the different iPod models...they just want to make the quick sale. Changing batteries vary from easy to difficult, depending upon the model and the person's technical, hands-on skill level.

The following should give you a general idea on the level required to change the battery:

No need to stress about replacing it, we'll handle everything for you! As long as your iPod is not broke (sad face or folder icons) and that it can be turned on while placed on a docking station, we can replace it for you! Have peace of mind knowing an experienced Factory Technician will clean your iPod and replace your battery safely with a genuine brand Longlast iPod battery. We take care of the hassles!

1. Select the Replace it form me! option at the start of your order for an extra $29
2. Back-up or sync your music/data
3. Mail your iPod bubble-wrapped in a strong card-board box to:

Longlast Battery
(Your Order Number Here)
31878 Del Obispo St, Suite 118-325
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

How do I change my iPod battery?
Your Longlast iPod battery kit will come with simple instructions, but the online version has video and is more up to date with tips and large color images.

If I replace the dead iPod battery with a genuine Longlast Battery , do I need to recycle my iPod battery?
It is highly recommend recycling your iPod battery. Batteries may produce the following potential problems or hazards:

• Pollute the lakes and streams as the metals vaporize into the air when burned.
• Contribute to heavy metals that potentially may leach from solid waste landfills.
• Expose the environment and water to lead and acid.
• Contain strong corrosive acids.
• May cause burns or danger to eyes and skin.

Staples and RadioShack have free recycling programs throughout the United States.

This Website will give you more information about recycling batteries: www.earth911.org

What do the Battery Icons Mean?

Battery with exclamation point

This mainly happens when the battery needs to be recharged. Connect iPod to the power adapter to charge it. You can probably also charge it by connecting it to your computer. If you have tried recharging and iPod still shows this icon, don't charge through a USB port because the port may not be putting out enough juice fast enough to properly charge the battery even though the iPod's battery indicator says it is fully charged. Connect directly to your computer or charge adapter. However, your computer can only charge if it is on and not in the sleep mode. Newer iPod models will see this, but it means the same thing:

About the battery charge status icons

The battery icon on an iPod screen indicates the state of the internal battery. If the iPod is awake, a small version of the icon appears in the upper right hand corner of the display. If the iPod is asleep while being charged, a larger version of the same icon appears in the center of the screen. When an iPod is charging, the battery icon changes to a battery with a lightning bolt, and the progress bars on the icon animates to indicate that the battery is charging. If a lightning bolt doesn't appear in the battery charge status icon when you charge iPod, check the connections to your computer or iPod AC adapter.

Charging (color screen)	Charging (monochrome screen)

When the charging has completed, the icon will cease to animate and will show a full battery with the lightning bolt and say "Charged" at the top of the screen.

Full charge (color screen)	Full charge (monochrome screen)

When an iPod is disconnected from the power adapter or from your computer, the black or green bar in the icon indicates how much charge is left and the lightning bolt will disappear. The indicator may take a few moments to accurately reflect the remaining charge after being disconnected.

With some iPod models, if your battery has been fully or nearly discharged, one of the screens shown below may appear when connected to your computer's USB port. In this state, iPod is not able to connect to your computer or appear in iTunes right away. Just leave the iPod connected when the iPod is sufficiently charged it will turn on, enabling you to sync it with iTunes.

Depending on the iPod model and how depleted the battery is, you may need to charge your iPod for up to half an hour before the iPod can turn on. Your iPod can be charged faster with the iPod USB Power Adapter.

Very low battery (animated screen)	Very low battery (non-animated screen for color and monochrome models)

If the charging icon is animated (but does not show the very low battery message) and your computer doesn't recognize it, check these documents on Apple's Website:

If you have a Mac
If you have a Windows-based PC

Monochrome low battery

For some iPod models, if your battery has been fully or nearly discharged, a monochrome non-animated version of the battery icon, shown above, appears on the screen when connected to your computer's USB port (even with a color display). In this state, the iPod will not be able to communicate with your computer. Simply leave the iPod connected when the iPod is sufficiently charged it will turn on enabling you to sync it with iTunes. Connect to your computer. Use iTunes to restore.

When you try to use your iPod, its screen displays this message, connect the iPod to your computer and restore it. For more information see Apple's articles at " iPod displays "Use iTunes to restore" message ."

Folder with exclamation point

• The battery may be low. Charge the battery by connecting iPod to your computer using the cable that came with iPod or by connecting to an Apple iPod Power Adapter. Check to see if the iPod is receiving a charge by looking for a lighting bolt icon or charging animation.
• The iPod may have locked up, so you will need to reset it.

Some iPod models require a specific or later version of iPod software. Restore the iPod using the latest version of the iPod Updater application from Apple's Website. If the iPod Updater doesn't recognize the iPod, try forcing the iPod into disk mode and then try the restore again.

About Charging your Longlast iPod Battery

Lithium-ion batteries pack in a higher power density than Nickel-based batteries. This gives you a longer iPod battery life in a lighter package. You can also recharge a Lithium-ion battery whenever you want without worrying about memory effect. Memory effect is common in Nickel-based batteries that require a full charge or discharge cycle necessary to keep Nickel-based batteries at peak performance.

You can charge your iPod battery a large but finite number of times, as defined by charge cycle. Most Lithium-ion iPod batteries use a fast charge to charge your iPod to 80% battery capacity, then switch to trickle charging. That's about 2 hours charge time to power iPod to 80% capacity, then another 2 hours to fully charge your iPod, if you are not using the iPod while charging.

Charge Cycle. Using and recharging 100% of battery capacity equals one full charge cycle.

What is a "charge cycle"?
Lithium-ion batteries can be charged a certain number of times, as defined by charge cycle. A charge cycle means using all of the battery's power, but that doesn't necessarily mean a single charge. As an example, you could listen to your iPod for a few hours one day, using half its power, and then recharge it fully. If you did the same thing the next day, it would count as one charge cycle, not two. So theoretically you may take several days (or weeks) to complete one charge cycle. Each time you complete a charge cycle, it diminishes battery capacity slightly, but you can put your iPod's battery through many charge cycles (about 300-500) before requiring a new battery.

Should I always run my Longlast battery all the way down before recharging?
No, its best charge before it goes dead. If at that point you leave the devices uncharged for days and days, it could shorten battery life or make the voltage in the battery so low that it will not revive.

How long does it take to charge the battery?
Fully charging the battery takes about 4 hours. You can also fast-charge the battery to 80 percent capacity in 1 hour to 2 hours. Charging the battery may take longer if you're using iPod as it charges.

How do I charge my Longlast iPod battery?
The easiest way is to connect it to the Apple iPod Power Adapter. You can also charge it by connecting iPod to your computer or putting it in its optional dock.
Note: your iPod will stop charging if the computer or portable computer it's connected to enters standby, hibernation, or sleep modes. To charge your iPod, connect it directly to a computer's USB port and turn sleep off. If using a laptop computer, make sure it is plugged into power and that the lid or display is open because if the lid is closed the computer may go into either standby, sleep, or hibernation mode and iPod will not charge.

Tip: If you have an Apple iPod USB Power Adapter, you'll be able to charge your iPod without leaving your computer powered on.

Why is my battery not charging fully when I use Firewire?
Macs use 6-pin Firewire cables (PCs use 4-pin) which carry no voltage for charging, so Firewire cables will not work at all for recharging your iPod battery and can allow your iPod to run down and cause problems while restoring, loading songs or updating firmware. Earlier Firewire chargers can be safely used to charge new USB-only iPods (with a special $10 cable).

Why is my battery not charging fully when I use USB?
Try not to use your computer ports to charge your iPod for best results. Using USB can have problems if there are too many devices on and can affect the resulting bus voltage. You may even see the charging icon but it may not be charging the battery much at all. Some early iPod models will not charge from USB at all. Some older versions of USB before 2.0 will not charge your iPod battery and may be too slow for its other functions. Even the current USB 2.0 is limited to only 700 milliamps (0.7 amp) and iPods prefer to use one full amp for charging and then some to spin the hard drive in the iPod while charging.

Both USB and Firewire require the iPod to be mounted by your computer as an external drive, which means the iPod's hard drive is spinning, using some of the power that the battery might need to have. However, if the computer sleeps or is turned off, your iPod battery will not charge either USB or Firewire and may even drain through the port circuits. So if your ports are not doing a great job of charging your iPod battery, use the wall adapter to charge for several cycles before questioning the battery's reliability. If you have a new iPod which only comes with USB, it can work just fine. However, if you do experience problems, get an AC adapter and/or take everything else off the USB bus (except mouse and keyboard).

Do I have to completely drain my Longlast iPod battery to the end before charging it to prevent the so-called "memory effect"?
You do not need to drain the battery before charging it. Lithium-based batteries you're your iPod has, does not have any of the memory effects that nickel-based rechargeable batteries have.

If I don't unplug after four hours on charge, will the battery start running down because the charger shuts off?

No, your iPod stops charging once your Longlast battery is full. But there is no need to take your iPod off the charger right away. However, if you turn off AC power to the charger but leave it hooked up, it could drain the iPod's battery. Best practice is to plug the iPod into the cable (or dock) and the cable into the charger, then plug the charger into the wall, otherwise problems maybe caused by the surge when you do it the other way around. After charging, we recommend to unplug it from the wall first.

If I wait to charge my iPod until the battery is pretty low, will that save cycles and prolong battery life?
It's not how many times you charge it's how many charge/discharge cycles you complete that determines battery life. It makes no difference whether you fully charge a half-used battery twice, or a fully rundown battery once both count as one cycle in the estimated useful life of about 500 cycles. Waiting to charge merely postpones battery use it does not prolong it. So charge whenever is convenient.

Can I leave my iPod connected to the charger or in the dock whenever I'm not using it?
Yes! Once fully charged, it stops charging-so you are okay.

If/when I travel, can I plug it in and charge it without any power issues?
Yes, you can charge it anywhere without any issues. Just make sure you bring the right set of plugs!

Will the 'Hold' button prevent the battery from running down no matter what?
In no case will the 'Hold' button prevent an iPod from turning on if an alarm is set or save the battery from being used up. On early iPod models, the 'Hold' button only disabled the front panel controls so they don't turn on the iPod accidentally. On later models it also appears to wake the iPod from sleep when you slide it to the ready position.

How long can my iPod's battery keep a charge without being used?
The standby time is about one month when fully charged. After a month of not being used, the battery will likely be fully discharged. You may find that the battery is empty before then, and that's normal. Even when it's not being used, iPod uses a small amount of battery power.

Will I shorten the life of the battery if I don't charge my Longlast iPod battery to 100% for the first charge?
No, although we recommend charging fully the first time, but generally after the first 4-5 hour charge, the iPod's lithium battery does not suffer from memory (which is mostly urban myth anyway) and will not be harmed by partial charges at any time.

Do I have to "condition" my iPod battery before I get the full performance out of it?
This is somewhat correct, but it is not true that you have to charge the iPod, run it down, recharge it again several times before using it to condition the battery. It is true that the first few charges (full or partial) will probably not result in as long total run time as later charges. So a brand new battery does not perform quite as well as one that has been used a bit.