Most MacBook or MacBook Pro laptops have batteries that are good for between 300 and 1,000 recharge cycles, depending on the model (Apple has published the specs here).
But you don’t have to buy a new MacBook when the battery is worn. You don’t even have to take it to an Apple Store for a genius to wave their magic wand over it. You can, in fact, replace the battery yourself.
Must read: iPhone, iPad, and Mac buyer’s guide: July 2019 edition
The MacBook going under the knife here was a mid-2012 13-inch A1278 MacBook Pro that has nearly 2,000 recharge cycles on the battery, which is well over the rated 1,000 which Apple considers as its limit.
For the job I got a complete battery replacement “Fix Kit” from iFixit. The kit costs $79.99, and is excellent value.
Note that there are different battery kits for different MacBook models, so it’s important to choose the right kit for your device.
The kit consisted of a replacement battery, and all the tools needed to carry out the replacement. In this case, the tools that came with the kit were as follows:
Plastic spudgerPrecision bit driverThree 4mm precision bits – Pentalobe P6, Phillips #00, Tri-point Y0 (for this job I did not need the P6 bit, as this is used on later models that the kit covers)
The replacement process is quick and easy. iFixit have detailed repair guides that are easy to follow. I’m familiar with the process so the whole thing took me about five minutes on a kitchen table, with no electrostatic discharge prevention, and just a tablecloth underneath the MacBook. If this is your first time, I suggest putting aside 30 minutes.
The job essentially consists of:
Power down the MacBookUndo the screws holding down the back coverUnplug the battery from the motherboardRemove the screws holding down the batteryLift the battery out of the MacBookFit new batteryScrew the battery downRefit the connectorFit the back coverTest the MacBook
If you’re doing this job for the first time, here are my top tips:
Get the “Fix Kit” so you have the right tools (this is not a job for cheapo tools, or big honking household screwdrivers)Set aside a good 30 minutes to do the jobRead the appropriate iFixit repair guide!Put the screws in a pot so they don’t end up getting scattered to the four windsYou will be dealing with screws of varying lengths, so either make a note of which goes where, or use your smartphone to take picturesTake your time, and enjoy the process!
Want to check if your battery needs replacing? There are two ways.
The simple way:
Press and hold down the Option key while clicking the battery icon in the status bar The battery health will appear at the top of the list, and will listed as Normal, Replace Soon, Replace Now, or Service Battery
A more longer-winded method:
Click the in top left corner Click About This Mac, Click System Report…In the left-hand menu, click PowerHere you will find detailed information about your battery
See also:
Must-have Mac apps and utilitiesSamsung Galaxy S10 update is causing huge problems for some usersHow to speed up your old, tired MacHow much does 1.5TB of RAM cost?What would Steve Jobs think of the today’s Apple?iOS 13 will actually save you moneyTop 10 iPhone privacy and security tips you should check today
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