Apple Still Offering Free Delayed Battery Repairs for Some 2012 and Early 2013 MacBook Pros

[MacRumors]

If you own a 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display released in Mid 2012 or Early 2013, and your notebook qualifies for battery service, the repair should be free if you are willing to wait for around one month.

Apple has advised Genius Bar employees and Apple Authorized Service Providers to offer these customers a free battery repair if they are willing to wait until at least November 15 for the service to be completed.

Apple has offered this option since August 25 due to a continued shortage of the aluminum enclosure that the battery is glued into on the aforementioned MacBook Pro models, according to an internal memo obtained by MacRumors.

Top case with glued-in battery for Mid 2012 15-inch MacBook Pro via iFixit​

If a customer does not wish to delay the repair, Apple says that standard out-of-warranty prices for battery service apply: $199 in the United States, £199 in the United Kingdom, $289 in Australia, or $259 in Canada.

The policy doesn't apply to any other Mac, including the 13-inch MacBook Pro, 12-inch MacBook, MacBook Air, or models without Retina displays.

To check if your qualifying MacBook Pro needs battery service, click on the Apple logo in the menu bar. Then, click on About This Mac > System Report > Power. In the Health Information section, the condition should say "Service Battery."

Apple will confirm if the MacBook Pro qualifies for battery service by performing a diagnostic test at the Genius Bar at most Apple Stores. Repairs are allowed for failed, consumed, and swollen batteries.

Apple is no longer offering customers the option to exchange their MacBook Pro for a functionally equivalent model, as it did for repairs initiated between March 2 and July 25 due to the same part shortage.

During that time, many customers were able to exchange a 2012 MacBook Pro for a much newer model, such as a maxed-out refurbished 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, for just the cost of an out-of-warranty battery repair.

Update: There's been some confusion about Apple's battery replacement options in the forums. There is no official repair program or free replacement policy for 15-inch MacBook Pro batteries.

Apple will let you pay to replace a faulty battery in any MacBook Pro, but because of part constraints for 15-inch MacBook Pro models, some users have been offered a free replacement due to the wait. It appears some users have been able to successfully get a free battery replacement while others have not, so though Genius Bar employees have been advised to offer free battery repairs in situations where parts are constrained, some Apple Stores may not provide the option.

Article Link: Apple Still Offering Free Delayed Battery Repairs for Some 2012 and Early 2013 MacBook Pros

 

[sundragon]

I'd like to see Microsoft, Samsung, Lenovo, and Asus give the same kind of service... Just sayin

 

[bchery21]

Oh, I might have to bring in my old Macbook Pro. Only usable if plugged in; if unplugged it dies in like 30 mins...

 

[xpxp2002]

Of course it doesn't apply to any other models...

Just like the iPhone 6s battery recall, I know as soon as I get rid of the 12" MacBook they'll recall the battery on it, too. Just a year after purchase, the capacity tanked more than 1100mAh and lasts 3-4 hours with light use.

 

[Naimfan]

Certainly would be worth waiting a month.

Kudos to Apple - I think this is an example of good customer support.

 

[anastas]

Is this repair valid only for apple stores? We don't have it at home, just official retailer and service provider.

 

[Mr. Dee]

Apple learned from the last time. Terrible how dishonest a lot of persons were buying broken MBPs off Ebay just to get the free exchange.

 

[melendezest]

My 2011 17" is irreplaceable. I damn sure would NOT want a TB MBP to replace it.

Coincidentally, after 6 years I just replaced the battery with a OWC Newer Tech one.

So, it'll keep my baby alive that much longer. SSD prices are coming down too, so that'll be next: 2 SSDs in RAID 0. I'd already maxed RAM out.

Can't do ANY of this, on ANY portable Mac, since 2012.

SAD.

 

[AndyMacAndMic]

I'd like to see Microsoft, Samsung, Lenovo, and Asus give the same kind of service... Just sayin

Well actually they do if it's their fault. Remember Samsung last year with the Note 7? As I recall they took all the phones back...

 

[JohnnyCanadian]

I may not be a big fan of the current Apple product mix at the moment but you can't take anything away from their service policies. I brought a Mac Pro (2103 "Trash Can") into one of our local Apple Stores on the final day of it's extended Applecare warranty period. It would occasionally show some graphic artifacting: flickering squares on one of two monitors, only when two or more monitors were connected. It wasn't an easy problem to reproduce but it was indicative of a VRAM issue. Not only did they accept the machine for diagnosis, they took over a week to reproduce the issue and then replaced not only one of the D700 video cards but also the motherboard. All covered, no questions asked.

I don't think any other manufacturer would have spent so much time attempting to reproduce a subtle issue under warranty. I may no longer be in Apple's target market (I just built an absolutely screaming fast Threadripper 1950X / 1080Ti-based system for OpenCV-based image analysis) but I'll never speak ill of Apple's service.

 

[justperry]

Apple learned from the last time. Terrible how dishonest a lot of persons were buying broken MBPs off Ebay just to get the free exchange.

That's not dishonest, it's called smart.

 

[JustinTG]

let’s see how long it takes them to cancel the program this time…

 

[keysofanxiety]

Well actually they do if it's their fault. Remember Samsung last year with the Note 7? As I recall they took all the phones back...

As I recall, there aren’t many exploding laptops about — and if there were, any company would replace them for fear of fallout.

Big difference between battery failures/expanding on 5 year old batteries in a laptop and phones smouldering. Also worth considering that most OEMs class batteries in laptops as consumable items, which means the battery is only covered for 1 year, even if the computer itself has an extended warranty.

 

[AndyMacAndMic]

As I recall, there aren’t many exploding laptops about — and if there were, any company would replace them for fear of fallout.

Big difference between battery failures/expanding on 5 year old batteries in a laptop and phones smouldering. Also worth considering that most OEMs class batteries in laptops as consumable items, which means the battery is only covered for 1 year, even if the computer itself has an extended warranty.

I was reacting to the remark:
"I'd like to see Microsoft, Samsung, Lenovo, and Asus give the same kind of service... Just sayin".

I just said that they do if it is their fault. A faulty battery is a faulty battery. Exploding now or failing a few years later.
Another example: Microsoft extended the 'red ring' warranty for the Xbox to three years and later extended it even more (this was in 2009). So my reaction still stands: They do if it is their fault.

 

[Magor34]

My mid 2012 Retina says "Check the battery".
Clicking on the battery warning brings up the help window, the related paragraph says the following (G Translate):

Check the battery: The battery will not work normally, although you may not notice it and even though it is still charging as it usually does. Submit your computer for service. You can continue to use your computer before it is checked without damaging it.

Does this entitle me to a free battery exchange or will I have to pay the full amount?

 

[rezenclowd3]

Even though it's glued in, my techs are able to remove the battery in about 15 minutes and replace with new/used of cx choice within an hour at most.

Really with Service Providers were allowed to do the same.

 

[jonnysods]

I've always appreciated this about Apple. They aren't perfect, but I've been the recipient of some of these extended programs such as the 2011 logic board issues.

 

[HailstormX]

I don’t get why they were glueing them in a way that basically wrecks the computer when replaced. I like the way they did the batteries for the air. They were screwed in and replaceable.

The whole make nothing serviceable kinda sucks. I have a 2012 MacBook Pro and love the fact that ram and hard drive,battery and dvd drive were all accessible and easily replaceable.

 

[keysofanxiety]

I was reacting to the remark:
"I'd like to see Microsoft, Samsung, Lenovo, and Asus give the same kind of service... Just sayin".

I just said that they do if it is their fault. A faulty battery is a faulty battery. Exploding now or failing a few years later.
Another example: Microsoft extended the 'red ring' warranty for the Xbox to three years and later extended it even more (this was in 2009). So my reaction still stands: They do if it is their fault.

But... they don’t. They really don’t. 99/100 a company will do nothing and not care. You’re citing isolated examples which had the weight of the media behind it. They are unequivocally the exception to the rule.

Lenovo, HP, Microsoft — almost any PC OEM — will not give two tuppence about a failed laptop if the warranty has expired. Even if it’s in warranty they’ll frequently palm it off as something else.

Respectfully I can’t possibly see how you’ve had a lot of experience with reselling/servicing computers on a large scale if you think that’s the case. It really, really isn’t. Honestly, it isn’t. Darn, it just isn’t the case!

And a faulty battery (which frequently happens, that’s lithium tech for you) is very different to an inherent design flaw that causes phones to smoulder.

 

[justperry]

My mid 2012 Retina says "Check the battery".
Clicking on the battery warning brings up the help window, the related paragraph says the following (G Translate):

Check the battery: The battery will not work normally, although you may not notice it and even though it is still charging as it usually does. Submit your computer for service. You can continue to use your computer before it is checked without damaging it.

Does this entitle me to a free battery exchange or will I have to pay the full amount?

Call Apple, the translation means nothing.

 

[AT&T representative]

Seems like almost every Apple Laptop has some issue that has to be addressed at some point. At least they stand behind their products. Sure, it takes a lot of complaints before they admit to a problem, however, it always surprises me how far back they will go to fix a product for free. These laptops are 4 and 5 years old already. Apple replaced the graphics card on my 2011 MBP for free. I knew I was having graphics issues so I searched for any known problems with my model and sure enough it was a known issue. Not only did they fix the graphics problem but they pointed out and fixed some hairline cracks in the hinge that I didn’t even notice. All for free and after that laptop was 5 years old! I don’t know any other computer manufacturers that can compare when it comes to customer service and repairs like these. This is one of the main reasons why I don’t mind paying extra for Apple.

 

[AndyMacAndMic]

But... they don’t. They really don’t. 99/100 a company will do nothing and not care. You’re citing isolated examples which had the weight of the media behind it. They are unequivocally the exception to the rule.

Lenovo, HP, Microsoft — almost any PC OEM — will not give two tuppence about a failed laptop if the warranty is expired. Even if it’s in warranty they’ll frequently palm it off as something else.

Respectfully I can’t possibly see how you’ve had a lot of experience with reselling/servicing computers on a large scale if you think that’s the case. It really, really isn’t. They just want your money and that’s that.

And a faulty battery (which frequently happens, that’s lithium tech for you) is very different to an inherent design flaw that causes phones to smoulder.

Respectfully that is your opinion. My citing of examples is not valid because you don't like them or they are not Apple's? Do you really think that Apple has no weight of media behind them? Do you really think that Apple is not in for the money but only is doing this from the kindness of their hearts? I respectfully agree to disagree with you.

 

[rgarjr]

Damn 1 month turn around is a long time without a Mac.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Respectfully that is your opinion. My citing of examples is not valid because you don't like them? Do you really think that Apple has no weight of media behind them? Do you really think that Apple is not in for the money but only is doing this from the kindness of their hearts? I respectfully agree to disagree with you.

I respectfully disagree with your agree to disagree. You cited the following examples:

- phone exploding
- Xbox red ring

Whilst the OP and this article was talking about computers, as was I. That’s one reason why they’re not valid.

PC manufacturers suck.

 

[dasmb]

Be aware: I had my battery replaced about a year ago and the Genius tried to charge me for the part ($400+) rather than the above quoted price for a battery service ($200). It took significant effort, talking to two or three different geniuses, to get them to acknowledge the price and override their system.

I found it most useful to have a link to the page on Apple's support website that quotes the price for a battery service.

Would I prefer to have this service be free? Sure, if I could coordinate the replacement. If you live near an Apple store, don't give up your laptop for a month without first asking if they can instead call you when the part comes in. This is a same day repair IF they have the part with your name on it.