Samsung Galaxy Watch Battery Replacement Guide: A Safe, Efficient, and Empowering DIY Repair

As smartwatches become increasingly integral to daily life, their batteries inevitably degrade over time. If your Samsung Galaxy Watch is suffering from drastically reduced battery life, failure to charge, or even a swollen battery, replacing the battery yourself can be a cost-effective and rewarding solution.

Before beginning any disassembly:

• Discharge the battery to 25% or less: A highly charged lithium-ion battery poses a fire or explosion risk if shorted during handling.

• Handle swollen batteries with extreme care: If the battery is visibly bulging, wear protective gloves, work in a well-ventilated area, and consider professional assistance if damage appears severe.

• Use the right tools: You’ll need a Y00 screwdriver, Phillips #00 screwdriver, plastic pry tools, precision tweezers, and optionally a suction cup. Using improper tools can easily damage delicate components.

Use a Y00 screwdriver to remove the four 4.2mm Y-type screws securing the back cover.

Insert a plastic pry tool into the seam between the back cover and the metal case. Lift gently—but do not fully detach the cover yet, as it’s still connected to a flexible sensor cable.

Slightly lift the back cover to expose the sensor flex connector on the motherboard. Carefully disconnect it using a pry tool.

Once the sensor cable is disconnected, remove the entire back cover. Inspect the rubber gasket for damage; replace it if worn to maintain water resistance.

Use a pry tool to disconnect the main display flex cable from the motherboard—this is essential for removing the internal core assembly.

The core unit (containing the motherboard, display, and battery) is housed within a plastic frame inside the metal casing. Carefully lift it out, ensuring the display cable threads smoothly through the frame opening.

Disconnect the Hall sensor flex cable and, if present, carefully peel away the connections to two small coin-cell batteries using tweezers. These are easy to overlook but critical for safe motherboard removal.

Use a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove the single 3.4mm screw securing the motherboard to the plastic frame.

Insert a pry tool into the small notch beneath the motherboard and gently twist to release it from its clips. Slide the board out of the frame and set it aside.

Through a dedicated cutout in the plastic frame, use a pry tool to gently push the battery out of its compartment. The battery is typically adhered with strong adhesive—apply slow, steady pressure to avoid tearing the battery connector or damaging surrounding components.

1. Clean the Battery Compartment: Remove all old adhesive residue to ensure proper adhesion of the new battery.

2. Use Pre-Cut Adhesive Strips: We recommend pre-cut double-sided tape from iFixit or similar suppliers. Never apply liquid adhesive directly onto the battery, as this can compromise safety and thermal performance.

3. Reassemble in Reverse Order: Carefully reinstall components in the opposite sequence of disassembly, ensuring all connectors are properly seated and clips are fully engaged.

4. Test Before Sealing: Power on the device and verify that the new battery charges correctly and that all functions (display, sensors, etc.) operate normally before applying final waterproof sealant.

To help your Galaxy Watch accurately recognize the new battery’s capacity, perform a full calibration cycle:

1. Charge to 100%, then continue charging for at least 2 more hours.

2. Use the device normally until it shuts down automatically due to low battery.

3. Recharge uninterrupted to 100% again.

This process recalibrates the battery management system (BMS), improving long-term accuracy and lifespan.