Battery Swelling on old rMBP (2014, 15")...Will Apple Fix It?

[rhyzome]

I just noticed my battery is swollen on my old 2014 15" rMBP. It may have been swollen for more than a year...it took me so long to notice because I had only been using it on a desk, never picking it up/flipping it...until I became super frustrated with why typing is tilting the machine....

Anyway, is there any reasonable chance Apple will be nice and just replace the battery at no or little charge? It is long out of warranty, but...?

 

[hallux]

They won't do it free of charge, but they may still be able to replace it for a fee. Replacing the battery is not replacing JUST the battery, the entire topcase is replaced since the battery is glued in. Replacing just the battery when it's already swollen is VERY risky due to the potential for puncture during removal from the glue holding it in place.

 

[robvas]

$199 replacement at the Apple store, $229 for mail-in

 

[0128672]

Just to add to the above advice, so that you can read the section about battery replacements:

Mac Repair and Service - Apple Support

Need to repair your Mac? See your service options, their costs by coverage type, and how long they take.

support.apple.com

 

[Audit13]

Given the age of the MacBook, I would replace the battery myself.

 

[ThunderSkunk]

Take it out immediately. Order a replacement & pop it in when it arrives. Takes 2 minutes. Once a batt has failed to that point its on the catastrophic end of the curve. At best, it’ll destroy your trackpad, and at worst, it’s an explosion/fire hazard. Don’t wait for the replacement to arrive.

 

[Audit13]

It may take quite a bit of effort to remove the old battery if the adhesive is strong.

Replacing the battery in any retina will take more than a few minutes.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

robvas has the answer in reply 3 above.

Do you have an OPEN brick-n-mortar Apple Store anywhere close by?
If so, make an appt and take it to the genius bar.

They may be able to do it "in-house", but chances are they're gonna have to send it out. If that's what they have to do, that's what they have to do.

If you DON'T have an Apple Store nearby, call Apple directly.
DO NOT call a "3rd-party service provider"
Call APPLE.

They'll send you a shipping box, and you send it back to them.
They'll do the repair and send it back.
Turnaround should be 7-10 days.

I WOULD NOT recommend doing this yourself unless you are absolutely certain you can do the job, and DO NOT follow the "advice" posted above in #6. Could be VERY dangerous if you puncture the battery taking it out...

 

[robvas]

Having Apple do the job guarantees you get a genuine Apple battery.

Also you will get a new top case, which includes the keyboard.