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2015 MacBook Pro battery replacement—will they replace the top case too?

J

Jony Five

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 30, 2021
28
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I’m sending my 13” 2015 MacBook Pro in for a battery replacement. Does Apple Service Center swap out the entire top case on this model? (The top case including the top chasis, keyboard, trackpad, and battery)

The tech at the Apple Store I called said they absolutely replaced the entire top case when doing a battery replacement. But the Apple CSR I talked to when setting up the repair said they only swapped the battery. Can someone who’s had this repair done confirm?
 
Jony Five said:
I’m sending my 13” 2015 MacBook Pro in for a battery replacement. Does Apple Service Center swap out the entire top case on this model? (The top case including the top chasis, keyboard, trackpad, and battery)

The tech at the Apple Store I called said they absolutely replaced the entire top case when doing a battery replacement. But the Apple CSR I talked to when setting up the repair said they only swapped the battery. Can someone who’s had this repair done confirm?
Click to expand...

On my mid 2015 Macbook Pro (15"), top case/keyboard/trackpad/battery were all replaced, Apple repair did a great job, the thing is though, I think it depends on your specific model and how the battery is glued to the case, try a Google search, add "Reddit" before the search terms, you should find examples of battery repairs with your exact model.
 
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How very timely - although on reflection, not a surprise - as last night my mid-2015 15” MBP reminded me that it needed a service for a replacement battery. It’s had 1515 cycles.

What are the pros & cons of this ‘investment’ ?

I was planning on replacing this trusted m/c with a spanking new 16” M1x MBP but that release date is always just over the horizon …

just how long should I hope the battery will keep going?

It’s like running the car when the gauge has just bounced off empty …
 
StrollerEd said:
How very timely - although on reflection, not a surprise - as last night my mid-2015 15” MBP reminded me that it needed a service for a replacement battery. It’s had 1515 cycles.

What are the pros & cons of this ‘investment’ ?

I was planning on replacing this trusted m/c with a spanking new 16” M1x MBP but that release date is always just over the horizon …

just how long should I hope the battery will keep going?

It’s like running the car when the gauge has just bounced off empty …
Click to expand...

My feeling is that the Retina models are probably good for another five or six years of use as a backup system once I get my M1X MacBook Pro. My son needed to borrow my 2014 because his work laptop has bulging battery and they are going to get him a 16 Intel (they require Intel for their environment). I am using my 2015 in the meantime. I always have a backup desktop and a backup laptop and the 2015 is one of the nicer ones. I had considered a 2019 16 but there have been too many reports of thermal issues.
 
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Two years ago I had my 13" 2015 MBP serviced because of the screen coating problem. While servicing they noticed the battery was swollen a bit and they asked me if it was okay to replace the battery. On the note it said they had replaced the entire top case to do so. So when it came back after service I think all that was original was the SSD and the bottom plate :D
 
mdekker said:
Two years ago I had my 13" 2015 MBP serviced because of the screen coating problem. While servicing they noticed the battery was swollen a bit and they asked me if it was okay to replace the battery. On the note it said they had replaced the entire top case to do so. So when it came back after service I think all that was original was the SSD and the bottom plate :D
Click to expand...

It feels like a new computer as your hands interface with the top case.
 
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pshufd said:
It feels like a new computer as your hands interface with the top case.
Click to expand...
Indeed. Or they did a very good job cleaning the whole thing and robbing me (had to pay for the battery replacement, screen issue was solved via a service program) but it felt brand new. Very good service.
 
mdekker said:
Indeed. Or they did a very good job cleaning the whole thing and robbing me (had to pay for the battery replacement, screen issue was solved via a service program) but it felt brand new. Very good service.
Click to expand...
Just found the Apple invoice: Top Case w/Battery, NLD
 
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OP:

Did you send it in for battery replacement yet?
Just do it, and let us know what you get back...
 
Jony Five said:
I’m sending my 13” 2015 MacBook Pro in for a battery replacement. Does Apple Service Center swap out the entire top case on this model? (The top case including the top chasis, keyboard, trackpad, and battery)

The tech at the Apple Store I called said they absolutely replaced the entire top case when doing a battery replacement. But the Apple CSR I talked to when setting up the repair said they only swapped the battery. Can someone who’s had this repair done confirm?
Click to expand...
Apple does not allow techs to remove the battery from the case due to safety concerns. So, you will get everything replaced.

Then again, a Macsales battery is 1/2 the price and is a reasonably easy DIY with the "thread" method on the retina:
 
Last edited:
Fishrrman said:
OP:

Did you send it in for battery replacement yet?
Just do it, and let us know what you get back...
Click to expand...
I did. They emailed me and said the mainboard showed signs of liquid damage. Don’t remember spilling anything on it and the machine was in perfect working order other than the deteriorated battery.

Anyway, they wouldn’t swap the battery unless I paid $1000 for a logic board replacement. So I’m back at square one 😭
 
"Anyway, they wouldn’t swap the battery unless I paid $1000 for a logic board replacement"

I reckon these are your choices:
1. Pay the $1,000 for a board replacement (I WOULD NOT DO THIS)
2. If the Mac still boots and runs with the existing battery, keep using it until it no longer boots.
3. Buy a 3rd-party battery and try replacing it yourself
4. If "none of the above" suit you, start shopping for a replacement. Be aware that new MacBook Pro's are due out within the next 4-8 weeks.
 
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Yup, didn’t even consider it. They did say the battery showed no signs of swelling, thankfully.
 
Jony Five said:
I did. They emailed me and said the mainboard showed signs of liquid damage. Don’t remember spilling anything on it and the machine was in perfect working order other than the deteriorated battery.

Anyway, they wouldn’t swap the battery unless I paid $1000 for a logic board replacement. So I’m back at square one 😭
Click to expand...

Send it to Rossman Repair, check his Youtube channel, plenty of instances of his company being able to repair a logic board that Apple Repair stated was dead and needed to be replaced.
 
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Fishrrman said:
"Anyway, they wouldn’t swap the battery unless I paid $1000 for a logic board replacement"

I reckon these are your choices:
1. Pay the $1,000 for a board replacement (I WOULD NOT DO THIS)
2. If the Mac still boots and runs with the existing battery, keep using it until it no longer boots.
3. Buy a 3rd-party battery and try replacing it yourself
4. If "none of the above" suit you, start shopping for a replacement. Be aware that new MacBook Pro's are due out within the next 4-8 weeks.
Click to expand...
For the OP:
1. I agree. Don't do this as it is too expensive for the model of MBP.

2. Definitely viable and might be a good if you are holding out for a new model that will release sometime soon?

3. If you plan to use the MBP for a long time, then it might be worth it to replace the battery yourself (or have it replaced at a repair shop). Or you want to keep it as a backup machine.

Just watch out for some of those 3rd party batteries. I bought a 3rd party battery for a 2015 15" MBP and after I installed it the battery would work fine until it got to about 40% or so and then would suddenly drop down to like 5% or so and shut off soon after. Luckily I was able to return the battery for a refund.
After I found a genuine OEM battery and installed it in the MBP. It worked perfectly fine and I didn't have any problems with it.

4. If you want a new one and can hold out for awhile, then this might be a good strategy. The M1 models also perform well and are also worth looking into if you can find a good deal on one.
 
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was unaware the casing was replaced with the battery service. I've been lagging on doing this but might add some perceptive life to my 2015 MBP
 
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How difficult would a top case swap be? Is this beyond the abilities of someone who is not a professional?
 
"How difficult would a top case swap be? Is this beyond the abilities of someone who is not a professional?"

This is one of those jobs where if you have to ask that question, then you shouldn't be attempting it... :cool:
 
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Jony Five said:
I did. They emailed me and said the mainboard showed signs of liquid damage. Don’t remember spilling anything on it and the machine was in perfect working order other than the deteriorated battery.

Anyway, they wouldn’t swap the battery unless I paid $1000 for a logic board replacement. So I’m back at square one 😭
Click to expand...
Seek out an independent Mac servicer in your area. They likely won't give you this static. Apple just looks at the moisture indicators that can even be set off by high humidity, as if they were put there by God. A real tech will look at the components for this kind of damage.
 
StrollerEd said:
How very timely - although on reflection, not a surprise - as last night my mid-2015 15” MBP reminded me that it needed a service for a replacement battery. It’s had 1515 cycles.

What are the pros & cons of this ‘investment’ ?

I was planning on replacing this trusted m/c with a spanking new 16” M1x MBP but that release date is always just over the horizon …

just how long should I hope the battery will keep going?

It’s like running the car when the gauge has just bounced off empty …
Click to expand...

pl excuse me 'replying' to myself .. but this is a progress report ;)

I'm now the happy owner of a 16" MBP and so have booked to have the battery replaced on this mid-2015 15” MBP before I cascade it to a daughter.
 
StrollerEd said:
pl excuse me 'replying' to myself .. but this is a progress report ;)

I'm now the happy owner of a 16" MBP and so have booked to have the battery replaced on this mid-2015 15” MBP before I cascade it to a daughter.
Click to expand...

My son is borrowing my 2014 and my wife wants a laptop and she will probably get my 2015.
 
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