Diagnosable iPhone Batteries: What They Are and When to Fit One

After a battery replacement, the question customers ask most is: “Why can't I see my battery health anymore?” Whether that question comes up depends on which battery you fitted. Here's what a Diagnosable battery changes, and when it's worth the extra cost.

Why battery health disappears

On iPhone XS and later, the phone checks whether the battery it's running on can be verified. When it can't, Settings shows an “Unknown Part” or “Important Battery Message” notice and the Battery Health percentage is no longer displayed. The phone still charges and runs normally, but customers notice.

What a Diagnosable battery changes

A Diagnosable battery uses the same grade of cell as our standard Premium battery, but its battery management board is pre-programmed so iOS reads it as a recognised part. After fitting, Battery Health shows a percentage, the cycle count starts at zero and no battery notice appears. It fits like any other battery: no programmer, and no need to transfer the flex from the old battery.

Premium Premium [Diagnosable]
Battery Health percentage Not shown Shown
“Unknown Part” notice Appears None
Cycle count Not shown Starts at 0
Programmer or flex transfer Not needed Not needed
Charging and daily use Normal Normal
Cost Lower Higher
Models iPhone 6 to 16 Pro Max iPhone 12 to 15 Pro Max

Which one should you fit?

Choose Premium when

  • The customer wants the lowest-cost repair
  • It is an older phone, a kid's phone or a backup
  • The customer understands the notice and is happy with it

Choose Diagnosable when

  • The customer checks Battery Health, or asked about it after a previous repair
  • The phone will be sold or traded in, since buyers check Battery Health first
  • You want to avoid a comeback from a customer confused by the notice

Same habit as with screens: quote both options with a price for each. Customers who choose Premium know what they are getting, and the conversation happens before the job instead of after.

Fitting tips

  • Fit new adhesive strips every time
  • Disconnect the battery before working on anything else
  • Don't lever or puncture the old cell; use isopropyl alcohol to soften stubborn adhesive
  • Let the customer know the health reading may take a few charge cycles to settle
  • Model-specific steps: iPhone 11 and 13 guide, iPhone 14 and 15 Pro guide

Replacing the screen too?

See our comparison of Soft OLED vs InCell.

Stocked in Brisbane

We carry Diagnosable batteries for iPhone 12 through iPhone 15 Pro Max, and Premium batteries from iPhone 6 to iPhone 16 Pro Max. See the full list by model on our iPhone battery supplier page or browse iPhone parts.

Order before 5pm on a weekday for same-day pickup at our Coopers Plains trade counter, about 15 minutes from the Brisbane CBD and easy to reach from Sunnybank, Logan, Ipswich and the Gold Coast. We also ship Australia-wide.

Questions about which battery suits a job? Call 04 7888 7212 or email [email protected].

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