Laptop batteries have a limited life. It is usually not more than a few years, although it depends on how you use your laptop. Although the official Apple replacement is usually the most expensive option, it is often the only way to guarantee a quality, genuine battery, especially if your laptop battery is not removable. There are many third-party sellers on the web, but be careful with them to avoid getting ripped off or giving you a low-quality copy.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Gather Information
Step 1. Identify your model
Click the Apple symbol in the upper left corner and select About This Mac. Find your laptop model near the top of the "About" window. You will need to know the size and date of manufacture of the MacBook Pro in order to choose the correct battery.
Step 2. Find the procedure to change the battery
Before deciding to install the battery yourself, make sure you have all the necessary tools and know how to do the job. The ideal is usually to search the Internet for a specific guide for your model, but there are three general categories of repair:
- Early 2009 or earlier 13 and 15-inch models have removable batteries. Some 17-inch models also have them, and you can check this by looking for clasps or some type of hook on the bottom of the laptop. These batteries are very easy to change.
- Since 2012, 13 and 15-inch MacBook Pros with Retina displays have had their batteries glued together. These are relatively difficult and dangerous to remove and a specialized tool such as iOpener may be needed. In case you haven't repaired computers before, consider using the Apple Store.
- The rest of the MacBook Pro batteries "are not removable" but they are easy to handle in case you have previously disassembled a computer. You may need a Y1 crosshead screwdriver, a plastic spudger, and a Phillips screwdriver.
Part 2 of 3: Consider having Apple change the battery
Step 1. Check the terms in case you can get a free repair
Apple may change the battery for free in case of one of the following:
- You bought the Apple laptop in less than a year, or less than three if you bought it with the AppleCare Protection Plan.
- The problem is due to a manufacturing defect and not subsequent use. It is more likely to be a defect in case the charge cycle is less than 1000. Go to → About This Mac → System Information → Power and search for "Charge Cycle" to check this number.
Step 2. Ask for the repair cost at an Apple Store
Even if you are not covered by the warranty, Apple recommends that you take laptops with built-in batteries to Apple Stores or Apple Authorized Service Providers. Although it is possible to ignore this and change the battery yourself, check the estimated repair costs on the Apple website before deciding on other options. This option is usually more expensive than those offered by third parties, but you are guaranteed to get a genuine Apple battery suitable for your device.
In the United States, free battery replacement by Apple is covered by a one-year warranty. Different terms may apply in different countries
Step 3. Find specific estimates
In case you decide to follow Apple's recommended path, find an Apple Authorized Service Provider in your area using the Apple website. Contact them to get an estimated repair cost and how long it will take to do it.
Part 3 of 3: Buying a Third-Party-Made Battery
Step 1. Look for reputable sellers
Unfortunately, the cheapest batteries available on the net are often of poor quality or heavily used. They also tend to have a short life cycle and may have a dangerous defect. Avoid auction pages and look for sellers with signs of legality. These include:
- Positive user reviews, especially on other web pages (not your own).
- A physical address and a telephone number listed on the company's website (call this telephone number in case you suspect that the page is impersonating another company).
- A return policy that returns all the money to you within a limited period after purchase.
Step 2. Find a battery that works with your model
Make sure the seller lists the exact models the battery is suitable for. A 2010 MacBook Pro will not use the same battery as a 2015 MacBook Pro.
Read the instructions at the beginning of this article in case you're not sure what your laptop model is
Step 3. Look for warning signs
Batteries that fit one of the following descriptions are likely to be of poorer quality. Buy them at your own risk:
- "Brand New Apple Batteries" will likely be fake unless sold by Apple or an Apple Authorized Seller.
- Batteries that cost less than half Apple's repair costs (take a look at the previous paragraphs) are likely to have some kind of problem or "catch".
Step 4. Please confirm the battery manufacturer during the return period
In case the seller claims that the battery was manufactured by Apple, please do the test while you still have a chance to return it. When you install the new battery, go back to About This Mac → System Information → Power. Look for the following information:
- Check the serial number under "Model Information" and compare it to the serial number given to you by the seller or listed on the package. In case they don't match, the product is probably a fake. Another sign of forgery is that the number starts with "0123456".
- The manufacturer must be SMP, or DP on some of the older models.
- Under "Health Information", the condition should be "Normal". The charge cycle must be 0 or a single digit number in case the battery is new.
Advice
- Sometimes restoring the system management controller can fix your battery problems.
- Back up your computer to another hard drive before sending it in for repair or trying to change the battery.