Repair outfit iFixit has started to sell the VoltClip, a cable that can be used to electrically debond the battery adhesive in the iPhone 16.
VoltClip [iFixit]
The iPhone 16 was given a "repairability" score of 7 out of 10 in its traditional post-release teardown. Part of the score change was due to a new electrical process to neutralize the battery adhesive used in construction, which hardware tinkerers can now perform for themselves.
During the teardown, it was found that Apple had included a new adhesive strip, which could be debonded quite easily thanks to some electrical current. Using two leads attached to a household 9-volt battery, the adhesive would debond in about a minute.
On Tuesday, iFixit started sales of the VoltClip, a simple cable that can be used in the debonding process. It consists of two alligator clips on cables, attached to a barrel connector that could be used with various connector types.
While you can connect a battery attachment and use a 9-volt battery as before, iFixit also includes a USB-C adapter.
The VoltClip is being sold for $10.95.
While the accessory is useful for technicians and users who are familiar with electronics if they wish to perform their own repairs, it is probably not useful for the typical iPhone user.