Definition: A swollen battery is a lithium-ion battery that has expanded because gas has built up inside its cells. In an iPad the battery sits directly behind the screen, so as it swells it pushes the display outwards.
Why it matters for iPad repair
A swollen battery is a safety issue, not just a battery-life issue. The pressure can also crack the screen, bend the frame or damage the laminated display, so replacing the battery early is far cheaper than replacing the battery and the screen together. Age, many charge cycles and heat are the main causes.
Think your iPad battery is swelling? See the signs, the risks and what to do right now in our full guide: Swollen iPad Battery: Signs, Risks and What to Do →
Related terms
- Battery Health – how much capacity a battery has left
- Battery Cycle – how batteries wear with use
- Laminated Display – the screen part most often damaged by swelling
- Swollen Laptop Battery – the same fault in laptops
iPad screen lifting? BreakFixNow replaces swollen iPad batteries from $69. 1–2 hours, 90-day warranty.