How to Successfully Perform the Replace iPod Battery Process
What happens when your iPod stops holding a charge for as long as it used to? Well, it may be time to replace the iPod battery. Unfortunately, this is not as easy as simply buying a new battery and sticking it in the device. As you may have noticed, the iPod is a self-contained unit – you can’t just pop it open as you would a cell phone or other portable device.
In fact, the replace iPod battery process has been a source of considerable controversy in the consumer marketplace. There are those who are of the opinion that Apple designed the iPod in such a way as to make its consumers reliant on their manufacturing division to replace the batteries.
And, the truth is, Apple does have an iPod battery replacement program that it, naturally, recommends as the safest option. You can learn more at http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/service/battery/.
However, you should know that this isn’t really a “battery” replacement program, but an “iPod” replacement program. Apple actually replaces your entire iPod – without your music collection. If your iPod is personalized, they’ll repersonalize it. But you will need to reinstall all your iPod music, games, books, videos – in fact whatever content you originally had on the device. In addition, this process can take up to two weeks. For many of us, two weeks without our iPod is an eternity.
If you’re thinking “replace iPod battery” not “be a slave to Apple,” you might want to consider some of the replace iPod battery options available at ipodbattery.com, ipodjuice.com or pdasmart.com. For about $29.95, these sites will sell you an iPod battery replacement kit complete with mini-screwdriver to pry the cover off your iPod. That’s right, you’ll be doing some prying. If you’re at all concerned about the possibility of dings or scrapes, you might want to just send your iPod in to Apple.
However the very brave may find these sites to be a terrific alternative to the Apple approach. Not only will you get a guarantee for up to 10 years on the battery, but you will get to keep your content (although be sure to back it up first!). CNET has a very useful article on the topic titled “Insider Secrets: Replace Your 1st or 2nd Gen iPod Battery.” You can even view a video of the process (note: this is not for those who can’t stand to see an iPod pulled apart).
You can avoid some replace iPod battery problems by optimizing your battery use. Apple has some great tips on its site at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=61434. This article includes some obvious ideas, such as don’t leave the iPod on all the time. But it also suggests keeping your iPod at room temperature (i.e., don’t leave it in the fridge) and ensuring that you have the latest software version on the device.
In addition, before you send your beloved iPod off to Apple for the replace iPod battery service (or start tearing off the back) be sure you’ve double-checked that there isn’t a different problem with how you are charging the battery. Apple’s tips on troubleshooting the battery charging process might help.
If low iPod batteries have got you down, use this tips and techniques to get yourself back in the listening (or viewing) mode again!
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