We have put this guide together to help people who opt to use 3rd party high capacity batteries that can be found on various online marketplaces.
List shows compatibility in terms of fit and what depth case back is required (thick or thin) to achieve correct fitting.
Please note: This article is NOT a recommendation for these batteries, there seems to be a very high level of variation in the quality, capacity ratings (actual & advertised) and more importantly we have seen different size batteries supplied for the same advertised product!!
So you have been warned – this article is for information only and the said information is provided with no warranty or promise of accuracy. Your results may not reflect our findings!
There are couple of more batteries I have seen, and once I have managed to obtain some samples this guide will be updated!
Fitting Guide (see numbered notes below)
| Battery sold as: | iFlash-Quad | iFlash-Dual | iFlash-Solo | iFlash-Sata | iFlash-CF |
| 1800mAh (5) | Thick back | Thick back | Thick back | Thick back | Thick back |
| 2000mAh | Thin back | Thick back | Thick back (2) | Thick back | Thick back |
| 1900mAh | Thin back (1) | Thick back | Thick back (2) | Thick back | Thick back |
| 3000mAh (3) | Thick back | Thick back | Thick back | Thick back | Thick back |
Battery Specifications (for samples we obtained)
| Battery | Image | Size (mm) + volume | Observations / Notes |
| OEM Battery 550mAh (Thin) |  |
20 x 45 x 6 (5.4cm³)Weight: 12g | Original battery used in thin iPods (e.g. 30Gb/120Gb/160Gb), marked as 2.04W/hr = ~550mAh |
| 1800mAh |  |
46 x 53 x 5.3 (12.9cm³)Weight: 32g | Marked as 6.8Whr 3.8v on cell (which is 1790mAh), but actual capacity is probably nearer 1600mAh (4) |
| 2000mAh |  |
46 x 90 x 4 (16.5cm³)Weight: 37g | Capacity based on volume estimated at 1700mAh (4) |
| 1900mAh |  |
54 x 80 x 3.8 (16.4cm³)Weight: 35g | Capacity based on volume estimated at 1700mAh (4) |
| 3000mAh |  |
57 x 83 x 3.6 (17.0cm³)Weight: 39g | Capacity based on volume estimated at 1800mAh (4) |
Notes
Remove frame protusion for 1900mAh battery
(1) When fitting with a thin caseback the protusion on the iPod’s inner frame needs to be removed (as pictured).
(2) We have had some samples of these batteries which actually fitted (read: tight squeeze) in a thin (5g) caseback & the iFlash-Solo.
(3) This battery is larger than the iPod’s inner frame, it will ALWAYS require a thick caseback. This battery can be awkward to fit as it interferes with the headphone jack assembly, you may need to lift the headphone ribbon away from the rear case to allow the battery to slide under the headphone jack assembly.
(4) This is based on current energy density of li-ion based battery cells, it is a very approximate (gu)estimate as the volume measurement is based on external size of the battery pack and not the actual cell size. Other factors which may effect the accuracy is the method and quality of the cell construction and wrapping. However, it is a great method to see relative capacity claims when comparing by volume of the battery cell, of course the chemistry of the batteries need to be the same.
(5) We have seen this battery sold as 1800mAh and as 1600mAh, all examples we have seen have been a similiar size. At 5.3mm thick this battery will always require a thick caseback, and will not fit with the original HDD.
**article republished 24/02/17 – to add 1800mAh battery, and oem battery
**article original publish date was 15/06/2016
I’d like to upgrade my 5.5g (thin back) with an iFlash-Quad and a new battery. I can’t find any sellers for the 2000mAh variant though and I don’t want to remove the frame/go to a thick back. So failing to find the 2000mAh batttery, is there any reason why a 850mAh OEM battery (the one from the 60/80GB) woudn’t fit?
@AB – No the OEM 850mAh batteries are too thick to be installed in an thin caseback iPod.
What would be best battery for a old 4th gen B&W u2 model?
Will anyone post to the uk need this 3000mAh battery big time.
Hi, I just recently found out about your product’s ability to bring new life to my old iPod classic. After researching my iPod’s model number, it appears I have a 5.5 gen 30 gb Classic with a thin back cover (.43″ thickness). My current OEM battery doesn’t last but two or three hours of continuous play, and its even worse with my bluetooth adapter attached to id.
If I understand the extended battery chart correctly, a 2000 maH battery would fit with the current thin back of my iPod if I use the iFlash Quad, and a replacement thick back cover is not required? I had ordered my iPod from Apple with custom message etched on the back, so would like to keep the thin back for sentimental reasons.
Can someone please let me know if I’m correct in my understanding of the battery fitment before I start purchasing everything? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!
@Dean – Yes the iFlash-Quad will fit in with the 2000mAh battery and thin caseback – however, unless you are trying to break runtime records, a decent original sized replacement battery will be fine and give you a good boost in runtime using one of our iFlash boards.
With the 30GB models I generally recommend 128GB to 256GB maximum, as the iTunes track/database limits are very limiting for them.
I have an iPod classic 7.5g thin back that was custom engraved for my wedding. I don’t want to part with the backing and want to keep both front and back panels. I have already installed a quad iflash and an 850 battery but based on my usage, need a bigger battery. Anyone know a good seller online ? Everything I see is for thick backed iPods and require a new back panel for 3000mah ones. Can’t seem to find a 1900 or 2000. Thanks!
I haven’t been able to find a reputable sellen for those batteries. Which is why I usually just go with the bigger battery and change out to the thick back. Curious if anyone else has found a good one though.
i have a ipod classic 7th gen with a samsung 500gb msata drive and iflash sata board and a 3000mah battery off ebay, it was all a very tight fit but its all together now and working great.
@Support
I’m intrigued about your suggestion for transplanting the daughter board from a standard iPod battery to a larger lithium model. I’ve bought a 1200mah battery and want to experiment.
Is it really ok to do this? Aren’t the protection circuits specific to the battery or is this stuff fairly generic?
Just afraid of inadvertently making an explosive device…
Thanks Lauren, I’ve ordered one of those 3000ma to try with an ifash dual set up for 256gb.
As far as why you’d want a larger battery if it is at 50% after 12 hours, consider the battery level if you were playing video. For me, the battery is cheap (approx $15) for a 3000 mAh one and if I can get through dozens of hours of video (which would be great on a plane), then I’m going to go for it. But then not having to worry about charging the device while on the go (even if it’s overkill with 24 hour battery life), it’s still great.
I think my old 1600mAh battery (or whatever that size was) lasted me 7 days straight (24/7) with a regular SSD drive before I knew about iFlash Quad. I imagine my 3000mAh one can be measured in weeks now and I haven’t done a stress test with video playback but I imagine that would be at least a day or two.
Search for “ipod classic extended battery” on eBay. The sellers tend to be fairly good and the batteries usually arrive in good shape. With the parts I’ve had to buy from China, I don’t think I’ve ever had to return on so far.
Here’s a seller who has them now (9/12/2017): http://www.ebay.com/itm/3000mAh-Battery-Upgrade-replacement-for-iPod-Classic-6-6-5-7-Video-5-5-5-Thin-/152581319646?hash=item23868e2bde:g:gWsAAOSwx6pYpC9w
One problem with the 3000mAh ones that they sell…. the put the ribbon cable on the wrong side of the device so you have to flip it in a weird way and then bend the cable to insert it into the device. The cable is on the right side but it should be on the left side like the regular batteries are.
Still, as long as you don’t bend it like you would paper and let it flex a bit, I suspect you’ll be fine. It’s just an oversight on what would otherwise be a great battery
Thanks @support many of the 3.7v batteries around don’t have the ipod ribbon flex cable attached, only a black and red wire (+- I guess). Is possible to attach the old flex cable (with its tiny circuit, I assume this is to control charging and draining) from a dead battery to the red and black wires of the new battery? The batteries with ipod ribbon cables attached seem pretty much non existent now.
Running a dual SD very happily and now on my 7g, going to get a quad micro this week for my backup 5g ipod and attempt DAC capacitor mod 🙂 5g a bit more power hungry so trying to get a big battery sourced
@Josh – If you find a cell which will fit, then you can transplant the iPod connection ribbon from the old battery to the new. As you have stated just cut the daughter board from the old battery where it is connected to positive/negative pins of cell. Then just solder to your new cell, this will make sure the TEMP pin is handled properly as well, so the new battery charges ok.
Hi Support/Tarkan. I can’t find many of these around. I’ve found the 1800mah one which is marked as 3.8v. is this OK as the normal iPod batteries should be 3.7v. will that 0.1v damage my iPod?
@Josh – it will be fine, however I suspect that is typical poor Chinese mismarking – mass produced Li-Ion cells will be 3.6v or 3.7v nominal voltage, never heard of 3.8v nominal before!!!
@Joe K, I used a small hack saw. Mounted the frame on a table clamp. It took me around 5 mins to remove the protrusion, then a use a file to smoothen the cut part.
There is at least one report of a battery that expanded after 3 years so that the iPod popped open (it was an iPod Video, so there was no damage, but with a Classic this could be serious). Any similar experiences? I don’t want the battery to explode. What can we say about these third party batteries regarding safety?
Does anyone have any tips on how to remove the metal protrusion from the frame?
@Joe K – I used a dremel like rotary tool, it is quite soft aluminium – so I would say a strong set of wire cutters would do it, with a file to smooth it down after.
Hello!
Can anyone tell me where to get the correct 2000mah Version for my thin iPod Classic?
kind regards
P
Where can these batteries be sourced from? I’m struggling to find one!
@ Support
Thanks for the opinion, I’ll go ahead and buy the thick back/earphone flex!
All the best,
Pedro
Hi Tarken,
I’ve got an iFlash-Solo installed on my thin back iPod classic, and am thinking of getting an extended battery. I read the guide and you mentioned you had some samples that were tight, but managed to fit in a thin back. I don’t mind getting a thick back, but I do prefer the look of the thin one. I read from the ebay link that @gsu previously posted (where I’m buying mine from) that apparently I might need a “thick earphone jack flex” before proceeding..In my case, that would not be required as I wouldn’t be using the thick back, therefore not needing the extra length in the flex correct?
In your opinion, is the 2000mAh gonna fit in my thin back iPod?
Thanks in advance, and thanks for making great products/guides!
All the best,
Pedro
@Pedro – I would not risk it, we only had one battery which barely fitted using the 5g thin case back, only the iFlash-Quad will fit comfortably using the thin back. The difference between the earphone jack is the outer trim, so it follows the shape of the caseback correctly.