Apple No Longer Replacing Some MacBook Pros Needing Battery Service With Newer Models

[Richdmoore]

why use 3rd party ? use apple, we can enjoy "Apple’s battery replacement service for Apple portable Mac computers will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one (1) year from the date of service."

That's what I mean. The 2012 models are next on the vintage/obsolete list, so those who want a genuine Apple battery/top case replacement now have a somewhat limited time to get the repairs done until Apple will refuse to do the service.

3rd party battery replacements will be the only option in less than a year for these computers.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201624

Looking at one of the models of MacBook Air 2012, it was discontinued
June 10, 2013, so Apple battery replacement will stop (except California and Turkey) around June or July 2018. Third party batteries (with their hit or miss quality) will only be available after that. I would go in even if the battery is good and get a replacement (I did it with a 2009 MacBook Pro) before then to get a real Apple battery.

 

[rezo82]

I went to the Genius Bar on July 24, the second last day in which Apple was offering CRUs.

For anyone curious if it will still be honored, I just called my local Apple Store and found out from a Genius Admin that my credit card was declined due to an incorrect number or expiry date. So I provided her with updated credit card information, and once that is processed in a few days, I was told my MacBook Pro replacement unit will still be created and sent to the Apple Store within approximately 7 days.

She said Apple will honor the repair since it was created before July 26. We'll see if that proves true!

They must've had some issue with the credit card system. Mine was declined at first too and they didn't find out for like 4 days. I've never had a card declined before. Kinda strange. Oh well thanks for the news.

My credit card was just declined too. I think it had to do with the format of the initial address I provided, which was my condo unit number dash street number (ex. "2000-600 Main St"). I told the Genius Admin to update it to "600 Main St. Unit 2000" which would match the format on my actual credit card statement. I'm guessing Apple's credit card system is finicky with that. Hopefully everything processes through fine tomorrow.

I went into the Genius Bar on July 25th with a 1:15pm ET appointment, and she told me I was one of the last ones to be approved for a CRU. Definitely feeling lucky and grateful. I have a Mid 2012 2.6/16gb/512gb and she told me I'll be getting a 2.8/16gb/512gb, which I'm assuming is a 2017 with TouchBar.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

My credit card was just declined too. I think it had to do with the format of the initial address I provided, which was my condo unit number dash street number (ex. "2000-600 Main St"). I told the Genius Admin to update it to "600 Main St. Unit 2000" which would match the format on my actual credit card statement. I'm guessing Apple's credit card system is finicky with that. Hopefully everything processes through fine tomorrow.

I went into the Genius Bar on July 25th with a 1:15pm ET appointment, and she told me I was one of the last ones to be approved for a CRU. Definitely feeling lucky and grateful. I have a Mid 2012 2.6/16gb/512gb and she told me I'll be getting a 2.8/16gb/512gb, which I'm assuming is a 2017 with TouchBar.

Sherway Gardens didn't tell me what I'm getting. I wonder if I would have had better luck at Eaton Centre had I made my appointment on time. I also haven't been charged yet. I wonder if this is indeed the issue. I quickly mentioned my Suite ### after providing my street address (also in Toronto!) over the phone to the Genius Admin today, so I'm hopeful that she entered it correctly this time. I used a different credit card in case this time. We'll see what happens. I cannot complain about the outcome.

 

[rezo82]

Sherway Gardens didn't tell me what I'm getting. I wonder if I would have had better luck at Eaton Centre had I made my appointment on time. I also haven't been charged yet. I wonder if this is indeed the issue. I quickly mentioned my Suite ### after providing my street address (also in Toronto!) over the phone to the Genius Admin today, so I'm hopeful that she entered it correctly this time. I used a different credit card in case this time. We'll see what happens. I cannot complain about the outcome.

I don't have another credit card to use and that was the only change I made, so hopefully I'm good. I have enough credit so I don't know what the problem would be other than the address. I think you should be fine though. I actually went up to Fairview Mall even though I live downtown, which luckily had an available appointment on the 25th. Eaton Centre only had Friday availabilities which definitely wouldn't have worked out for me. But I agree, we'll see what happens and I can't complain about the outcome either. Good luck!

 

[Joe Rossignol]

I don't have another credit card to use and that was the only change I made, so hopefully I'm good. I have enough credit so I don't know what the problem would be other than the address. I think you should be fine though. I actually went up to Fairview Mall even though I live downtown, which luckily had an available appointment on the 25th. Eaton Centre only had Friday availabilities which definitely wouldn't have worked out for me. But I agree, we'll see what happens and I can't complain about the outcome either. Good luck!

I'm also downtown and had an Eaton Centre appointment on Monday @ 5:45 pm, but I was 15 minutes late and they canceled it. So I sat in rush hour on the Gardiner to Sherway Gardens and luckily got a walk-in appointment. We're lucky there are so many Apple Stores in the GTA.

 

[charlituna]

Lovely. I have an appointment tonight to take my 2014 MBP in for service

not the same model, not affected by this.

 

[shastada]

I'm right with you. I have a genuine battery problem with my 2012 RMBP that I just ignored rather then getting fixed and the day of my appointment they cancel the offer. It's a very sad pill to swallow. It feels like losing $3000 you never really had (but really looked like you would get). It's not "entitlement", it's just disappointment.
[doublepost=1501147560][/doublepost]I think anyone here with who happened to have that exact same model and had been affected themselves would be feeling that same dark sinkhole feeling. People are human.

I had the same problem, saw the article booked an appointment for later in the week with a genuinely jacked up battery. Now it's past and I 'missed out' on the deal. I'm not mad or upset or anything but of course there is always a feeling of disappointment when you don't get the cool shiny toy that someone else got. Still plan on going for my appointment this weekend to get it done, I tested the battery and it shows as 65% of rated and lasts only ~3 hours now. Will be nice to have a fresh battery for what is otherwise still an amazing laptop.

 

[charlituna]

What's sad is the so-called 'geniuses' can't change a simple bloody battery so they had to exchange computers in the first place....

What's sad is when folks don't read the article.

They can replace the battery. When they have the batteries in stock. They didn't, they knew they wouldn't for a while. So rather than tell folks to go kick rocks they came up with a way to deal with the issue and get folks back into a working machine.

 

[Konrad9]

You have to be out of your ****ing mind to blame this on MacRumors. First, this has been all over the internet for weeks, if not months. I've been seeing it on the Apple subreddit for quite a while.

Second, either Apple is a great and generous company with this repair/replace or they aren't.

There is no such thing as taking advantage of Apple because of this, they're either generous enough to replace faulty machines or they are not. There's no middle ground. There is no point at which a company like Apple with half a trillion dollars in the bank should have to say "No, this is too expensive". They unintentionally put out a faulty product and were rewarding customers with a better one, that's incredibly fantastic.

And now they're not.

It wasn't because of MacRumors, it was because they decided the program was too expensive and they don't want to be quite as nice to their customers. It was because at the end of the day they are NOT as kind and generous as we all want them to be. That is it, not MacRumor's ruining something.
[doublepost=1501264951][/doublepost]

I think you mean: I won't apologize.

(Great gesture that Joe Rossignol was the first to like this post.)

Why should they apologize for something that is not in any way their fault? Read the edit with the memo.
[doublepost=1501265020][/doublepost]

No, you broke a goodfaith program that helped people in real need. This is the tragedy of the commons, plain and simple. You don't have to apologize but you're certainly at fault.

How did they break something when the decision was made before they posted the article?
[doublepost=1501265078][/doublepost]

Can you clarify how a posting a topic with no actionable value, and whoose only foreseeable outcome is Apple's termination of a generous good will policy, is "valuable to our readers"?

Can you clarify how it's their fault when the decision was made before their article went up?
[doublepost=1501265168][/doublepost]

A bonus that you ruined with your article. People which were genuinely affected were getting a cool bonus, completely unaware of it making of an amazing surprise. You post your article and what happened? A big flock of people running to Apple Stores all claiming with battery problems, which obviously caused Apple to back down. Way to go!!!

Except the decision was made before their article went up. And as I posted above either Apple is great and generous and going to give everyone replacements or they aren't. The number of people who request replacements for BROKEN MACHINES is irrelevant, they shouldn't be giving special treatment to first X,000 people who come in.
[doublepost=1501265246][/doublepost]

How is that? Be specific.

They stopped replacing the machines and opted instead to replace the battery.

 

[biscuitsxluv]

I'm right with you. I have a genuine battery problem with my 2012 RMBP that I just ignored rather then getting fixed and the day of my appointment they cancel the offer. It's a very sad pill to swallow. It feels like losing $3000 you never really had (but really looked like you would get). It's not "entitlement", it's just disappointment.
[doublepost=1501147560][/doublepost]I think anyone here with who happened to have that exact same model and had been affected themselves would be feeling that same dark sinkhole feeling. People are human.

That's me.
Sad. I have a genuine battery problem. Will no longer hold a charge. I knew when the article posted it would blow up. I just checked the genius bar appointments and there are no openings until Tuesday. Go figure.
I have an appointment today. Made the appointment about 4 days ago.

 

[krn5937]

Ohh man this makes me sad. I had a Genius Bar appointment last week for a screen and battery replacement but had to reschedule for next week. I had no idea this was going on, I've been needing to go in for this for months but the Apple store was too far away.

I read the original article and got so excited, and then I made it to the update at the bottom.

I loved my old 2012 RMBP until the very moment I thought I could get a 2015+ for $200. And now I'm certain our relationship can't be mended with just a new screen and new battery.

 

[agenda893]

Like many of you back in 2012 I waited past my normal upgrade cycle and ordered the rMBP as soon as it was announced. I built to order with a 2.6GHz i7, 16GBs of ram, and a 512 SSD and to this day I haven't had a huge desire to upgrade to anything new. I figured I could get a new battery and still be fine for a couple more years. Last sunday I set up an appointment at the genius bar for the next day to get a new battery. While at work on monday I saw the article hit macrumors and thought it was an amazing coincidence. When I got to the apple store monday night it all went as expected - they tested my battery, it failed, they offered the replacement and started the paperwork. After watching them struggle with all of the required stuff on their end they offered to call me and take my credit card info over the phone so I wouldn't have to wait. I agreed and then didn't hear back. Tuesday came and went and still no call. On wednesday I read about them discontinuing the program so I called in to offer my credit card info and they wouldn't take it saying they would call as soon as they needed it for my security. At this point I figured the likelihood of still getting the replacement was decreasing, but hey, I would still be happy with a new battery. Yesterday the Apple store called to take my credit card number and from the sounds of it the exchange is still on. They didn't offer any info as to what I'll get but said it should be in some time next week. The $199+tax charge hit my credit card this morning so fingers are crossed it all goes through and I get something that will last me another 5 years. Had this not happened I was seriously considering buying a pc for my next laptop - lots of great options these days, especially at that price point.

 

[Fr2]

Now that the batteries are back in stock, will Apple charge the normal fee (199 I think in the UK) to get the battery replaced? In other words, was the free replacement battery offer/laptop exchange was purely down to a delay in parts for the affected models, and not due to an actual technical fault with the batteries?

 

[Sarlacc]

I went tues (25th) and got the call for my cc today. They said I was getting a 2015 in space grey...but didn't the space grey start in 2016?

Either way I'm more than grateful.

 

[Volatann]

I made an appointment at my local Apple Store on the 21st with my 2012 MacBook Pro to test for battery problems. The laptop tested just below the threshold and was considered failing. They offered a free battery but was told they are back ordered until September. I declined because that was too long so I was offered a CRU. At the time the Genius Bar tech had told me I would be receiving a refurb 2015. I left my mac and he did not ask for any payment and told me that they would expect payment when I came to receive my unit. Haven't heard anything until the 24 (the day the original article about the replacement program went up I believe) that day an apple tech called me and said that they needed my cc to process payment and said that payment would be processed when the unit arrives. The next day the article is posted that states his program is relinquished and apple is now doing battery replacements. Today I check my bank account and my card has been charged but have not received a call regarding my computer. I will update when I hear more hopefully they honor the replacement and everything went through.

UPDATE:
I received a call today 7/28 that my unit had arrived. I waited around for about 25 minutes because they had issues trying to determine if they charged me or not. After I verified that they did they brought me the box and I just glanced at it and asked if it was a 2015 because that's what they originally had told me I would get, I would be satisfied with anything as long as it was equivalent to my last machine. He said yes and I was one of the last people that was able to get a replacement. Once I got home and unboxed I realized I had received a 2016 2.7G/16G/512G machine! Everything went well and now I'm stuck in dongle land now. However, I am happy but hope that I don't run into a lot of the issues that people have been seeing with these machines.

 

[charlituna]

Now that the batteries are back in stock, will Apple charge the normal fee (199 I think in the UK) to get the battery replaced? In other words, was the free replacement battery offer/laptop exchange was purely down to a delay in parts for the affected models, and not due to an actual technical fault with the batteries?

correct. it was a part count issue NOT a fault in the parts.

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

What's sad is when folks don't read the article.

They can replace the battery.

Read what? I've actually been there. I had to wait for over 2 hours to get an appointment since you can't just walk up the genius bar and ask a question, after all. You have to wait HOURS first just to talk to someone that isn't a complete idiot (i.e. regular sales person) only to be told they don't carry iPod batteries and they don't change them (the regular people there don't even know that much; they know NOTHING). They normally just exchange the same model, but because at that point they had moved on to a Gen 5 device, they could not exchange my Gen 4 and would have to send it FAR FAR AWAY to get the battery changed and that would take over a week at the earliest. Change a battery on site??? Yeah right. I doubt these guys could even open Macbook Pro, let alone know what to do with anything inside it. Worst computer store experience I've ever had and I had to drive over an hour each way to get there only to find out they don't do batteries.

 

[Naimfan]

Well, call me knocked out - I took my 2012 rMBP (2.6/8/512) for a new battery last Monday (the battery failed badly - would only last an hour or so) and wound up with a refurbished 2.7/512/455. I still hate the keyboard and trackpad, but the fact that Apple did it impresses me - I have a new machine for $215 (199 plus tax).

And a cursory review of the thread makes me say this: I think it absurd to suggest MR had anything to do with the program ending, and that people owe Joe an apology.

 

[EmanonSBS]

Went in for my Genius Bar appointment this Saturday 7/29 morning for my MBP (Mid-2012 2.6G / 16GB / 750 GB SSD) that has a service battery notification. Made it Monday 7/24 after reading about this exchange program on reddit. Unfortunately I didn't think that Apple would be so fast on changing their policy and didn't have time to go in earlier in the week. I can confirm that they only offered a battery replacement, that it will be 30 to 45 days for it to come in and it will cost $199 at time of service.

After calmly making a point that I have would like to have it done sooner due to work travel schedules, he did not offer any solutions. Upon checkout he said he "just got an update" and he thinks I will get the part in the first week or two of August. Who knows. That was odd.

Obviously, like others have said it would have been great to get a new computer. But looking at a globally, I am happy to at least get a new battery before they phase out this model year. Clearly Apple looses money on the battery replacement as the parts and labor must add up to well over $199.

I've had battery issues for almost 2 years. Have gone in three times into the genius store during that same period only to be denied a battery replacement each time. I could not replicate the service battery notice while in store and they would say I need to not have as many apps open at once. As a web designer I find that answer hard to believe, I think they didn't want to replace it under AppleCare.

The last time I went in they said to update my operating system to Sierra which I did and only gained about five minutes, netting at best 25 minutes of battery life when off power.

When going in for the replacement, I will be asking for this replacement to be comped as I was having the same issues while covered under Apple Care. And thankfully I live in California where they have to achieve to consumer rules more for situations like this.

Ultimately I am happy that I am getting the battery replaced because (sadly) this mid-2012 MBP is not that much different from the MBP's today or arguably could be better with this brand new battery. Hopefully it will last another two years and Apple will include more advanced components in their next MBP…

 

[realjayz]

Brought my qualifying computer into Genius Bar the Tuesday Evening after the original Macrumors Article came out for a scheduled Battery Replacement. Was told that indeed, this was a thing, and a replacement computer would come my way.
Wednesday morning - read update and figured that I had missed the window. No word from apple.
Thursday - receive charge for battery replacement on CC. Call apple to see if they have any info. Am told that I'll be receiving a refurb 2015 macbook.
Friday - get call that my computer arrived in store.
Saturday - Pick up computer. Am told its a 2015. Open box. It's a 2016 MBP with touchBar.

Thanks Macrumors.

 

[Joe Rossignol]

Brought my qualifying computer into Genius Bar the Tuesday Evening after the original Macrumors Article came out for a scheduled Battery Replacement. Was told that indeed, this was a thing, and a replacement computer would come my way.
Wednesday morning - read update and figured that I had missed the window. No word from apple.
Thursday - receive charge for battery replacement on CC. Call apple to see if they have any info. Am told that I'll be receiving a refurb 2015 macbook.
Friday - get call that my computer arrived in store.
Saturday - Pick up computer. Am told its a 2015. Open box. It's a 2016 MBP with touchBar.

Thanks Macrumors.

Nice. Enjoy your new MacBook. For me:

Monday, July 24 — Genius Bar appointment. Told I will receive an exchange. Provided CC info.
Tuesday, July 25 — Call from Apple. I forgot to include the expiry date. I provide it.
Wednesday, July 26 — First day of exchanges no longer being offered.
Thursday, July 27 — I call Apple for an update. Found out the CC number I provided was declined for some reason. Provide a different CC number.
Friday, July 28 — CC has been charged.

Still waiting patiently and excitedly for the call

 

[petemill]

Tuesday, July 25 - Genius Bar appointment for genuinely bad battery (santa barbara, CA - 2pm PT). Told I will receive a new battery in maximum 5 days for $200.
Monday, July 31 - Genius Bar manager says battery is likely another 1-2 weeks away. I mentioned about replacement program working for some people even the day I originally came in. She said 'the program hasn't been running in over a month' because there's no constraint anymore.

As others have said, it isn't the entitlement to a free replacement upgrade I'm feeling, but the disappointment that I did not receive the same level of service as others did. Whilst many are 'anxiously' waiting to see what laptop they get, some of us are still waiting just for the opportunity to pay $200 for a much-needed new battery.

 

[h4lp m3]

I need to get my top case replaced due to a bad keyboard. Really don’t want to / can’t wait 15 business days for a part to come, that’s ridiculous.

What's ridiculous is that you can't wait a whole 2 weeks... If you're that dependent on technology, why don't you have a backup?

 

[agenda893]

Monday, July 24 — Genius Bar appointment. Told I will receive an exchange. Told they'd call for credit card.
Wednesday, July 26 — First day of exchanges no longer being offered. I call Apple to offer credit card number. They said they'd call back for it.
Thursday, July 27 — Apple calls for credit card info.
Friday, July 28 — CC charged.
Monday, July 31 — Apple called me for pickup. I go in and they just took my old macbook pro, I offered my power cord but they let me keep it. Model exchanged: mid 2012 rMBP 2.6GHz, 16GB, 512GB. Model received late 2016 2.7GHz, 16GB, 512GB in Silver.

The nerve of them giving it to me in silver. I really wanted space grey. Apple is the worst (just kidding - $200 for a new macbook pro I'd have taken it in pink).

Now that I have thunderbolt 3 it's time to look at putting an eGPU together for some gaming. The money I saved not upgrading could easily go towards a sonnet with a GTX1080Ti...

 

[intofx]

anybody get applecare with their referb?