Recently I had the experience of changing the battery on a [second-generation iPod mini -- link it somewhere].  This isn’t a difficult task in and of itself and though it may scratch the unit is something which can give you a renewed music-listening experience for a fraction of the cost of getting a “professional” to do it.

DISCLAIMER: As with all of its brethren, the iPod mini does not ship with a “user-servicable” battery (or anything else for that matter).  This means that if you run into any trouble with the unit, you need to take it to an Apple-authorized service centre.  Opening the unit yourself WILL void the warranty.  Unless of course your warranty has already run out, in which case: fill yer boots!

Alright, with that out of the way, on to the deed at hand.

As my guide to the process I used this guide from CNET.  It was extremely helpful and provides detailed instructions as well as a tour of the inside of your mini.  For that reason I’ll link to their guide and only provide a “Coles notes” version here. (For those of you outside Canada, Coles is a book supplier that produces a guide series similar to Cliffs Notes.)

Step 1 – Get yourself a replacement battery
Chances are when you get the new battery it will ship with some sort of tool.  For this process you need a flat screwdriver (primarily for use as a pry-bar), and a small [Phillips screwdriver -- wiki].  If you have a small jewellers set you can use that, though you may suffer some minor damage to the flat-head if it’s not very strong.

Step 2 – Remove the covers
Use the flat-head screwdriver to pry off the top and bottom covers.  Keep in mind that the lock switch will come off with the top cover.  Both covers were originally secured with glue, so place them sticky-side up to not mess with it too much.

Step 3 – Remove the bottom spring-plate
Use the flat-head screwdriver again to remove the spring-plate from the bottom side.  This is holding the unit in place.

Step 4 – Remove the screws
Using the small Phillips screwdriver remove all the small screws. I realize I shouldn’t have to tell you this, but DON’T LOSE THEM!.  You will need them later.

Step 5 – Remove the command-interface jumper
If you look at the bottom of the unit, you’ll see a small plastic connector on one side.  Carefully remove this (this is the interface to the command buttons on the front of the casing).  Once it is removed, the guts of the iPod should be unencumbered.  Slide the whole unit out the top.

Step 6 – Replace the battery
The battery will be stuck to the unit with a small piece of adhesive which is sticking it to one of the chips on the iPod’s mainboard.  Slowly peel off the battery and hold it perpendicular to the board.  Take note of the placement of the different coloured wires then remove the jumper.  Place the new battery on the device and reverse the process, taking special care to ensure the wires are on the correct pins.  This is pretty much the easiest part of the whole process.

Step 7 – Charge and Test (technically optional)
I highly recommend doing a full charge-and-test while the unit is disassembled.  This will ensure that if anything isn’t hooked up correctly, it can be corrected without having to re-dissecting the iPod.

Step 8 – Re-assemble
Follow Steps five through one to re-assemble that mini.  Take care to smooth out the top and bottom casings, and to place them back sticky side down.  That’s all she wrote.

Overall the experience for me went pretty well.  The article CNET article was very helpful in getting this completed quickly and with a minimum of fuss.  Admittedly I didn’t read through the whole article, and had a touch of difficulty as a result.  Follow Step 7… for the love of God.

Once I got the unit reassembled, it ran into exactly the same problem as with the original unit.  It didn’t want to retain a charge.  Since the new battery was still, well, new I decided to swap in the original again to make sure its behaviour hand not changed.  They were both the same.  This leads be to believe that there are is a problem with the charging circuit and not with the battery.  Oh well… win some and lose some I guess.