M5 MacBook Pro Gets Easier Battery Replacement Process

[MacRumors]

Apple has made the battery replacement process easier for the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro, allowing users of its self-service repair program to replace just the battery, without removing other internal components.

Before now, manual battery replacement on what is currently Apple's only M5-powered MacBook Pro required swapping out several modules alongside the battery itself. However, the new process Apple has introduced only requires removing the bottom case and the battery management unit flex cable before accessing the battery.

Apple is now selling standalone battery modules through its Self Service Repair Store. Apart from the cost of the necessary repair tools, the replacement battery costs $209.25, and users can get a $22.50 credit by returning their old battery.

Apple has also published a detailed repair manual to guide users and independent repair shops through the procedure. The manual includes step-by-step instructions for safely removing the rear case, discharging the battery, removing the old battery's adhesive strips, and installing the replacement unit.

The change tackles a concern raised by iFixit in its October teardown of the M5 MacBook Pro, which found battery replacement to be one of the device's most challenging repairability aspects. That said, with 14 disassembly steps and 27 reassembly steps, it's probably still a job most users would rather leave to a professional.

Apple launched its self-service repair program in 2022, giving customers access to genuine parts, tools, and repair manuals for select iPhones, iPads, Macs, Studio Displays, and Beats Pill speakers. The company says the program is "intended for individuals who are experienced with the complexities of repairing electronic devices."

Article Link: M5 MacBook Pro Gets Easier Battery Replacement Process

 

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

Repairability is always a win, for me as a user and consumer.

But the days when I myself tinkered inside laptops are long gone, I'm too old for that s*** </Lethal Weapon>

 

[jdavid_rp]

I didn't expect a battery to cost that much, but I like that is actually cheaper than let apple replace it ($249)

 

[ksec]

So the M5 MBP isn't just a SoC upgrade. But some design changes too.

 

[repoman016]

As someone who has replaced a battery in a 2019 MBP, this is a welcomed change. Best method was to turn canned air upside down and freeze the adhesive.

What that being said $200 for a battery is insane. Might as well put that $200 towards a new machine with how fast technology is advancing

 

[Plutonius]

I tried changing the battery in my old Macbook Pro (Intel) and found it to be very difficult and fraught with risk.

I removed the old swollen battery but ended up damaging both the laptop and the connector on the new battery.

I have no problem paying the money to Apple to change a battery but Apple refuses to service anything in the laptop including the battery when the laptop gets older (mine was about 6 years old).

I think that this battery change was 100% necessary if the owner can't count on Apple to change the battery.

 

[cjsuk]

Yeah now what about the M1, M2, M3 and M4?

 

[Corefile]

I remember trying to change the battery in my MBA with a hairdryer. I was halfway through heating the glue when my daughter came in and took her hairdryer back as she needed to go on a date. They got married so no hairdryer anymore and the battery is still in the original box.

 

[iBluetooth]

Yeah now what about the M1, M2, M3 and M4?

Design changes are not backwards compatible!

 

[iBluetooth]

This is great and I hope that future laptops will implement this!

 

[cjsuk]

Design changes are not backwards compatible!

It doesn't need a design change. You can get third party batteries shipped. Why not Apple?

 

[woolypants]

This is good news because I've been finding the quality of Apple's laptop batteries has been downhill recently. I've owned MacBooks since the very first ones (and an iBookG4 before that). I've used each for a long time, so got used to doing battery replacements.

My MacBook Pro M1 Max came with a poor battery. It has never shown more than 90% manufacturer capacity within Coconut Battery. And now, around three years after purchase, I'm having to replace it because the battery life has dropped to around 1-2 hours and it will no longer charge over USB-C (only magsafe). It still shows as around 81% of manufacturer capacity, but this is clearly incorrect given the short discharge time. (Yes, I have attempted battery calibration via rundown to 0 and charge to 100.)

I'd be interested to hear the stories of others here.

 

[CarAnalogy]

Repairability is always a win, for me as a user and consumer.

But the days when I myself tinkered inside laptops are long gone, I'm too old for that s*** </Lethal Weapon>

Same. All this stuff is too tiny now. If it’s not a module designed to be swapped out, everything requires this kind of surgery these days.

 

[dead.cell]

Good to hear! Now to just wait for that 16" MBP...

 

[macfacts]

remember to thank the EU for this.

 

[arkitect]

I know, I know… not a snowball's chance in hell, but I would have loved RAM upgrades as well or even instead of.

But for now, this is progress.

 

[titanium alloy]

oh wow… very welcome change

 

[Matam]

Having done this for a friend on the Macbook 12, seems like a welcome move. In a way, looking at the picture, if they could replace those 4 battery module by 4 swappable ones, would be terrific, as the expansion bays in powerbooks back then. (one can dream...)

 

[platinumaqua]

I remember when Apple came out and said the new chassis 2021 MBP will get separate battery replacements “soon,” and that has never happened.

Gluing the battery cells to the chassis remains one of the more baffling decisions to me. Why can’t the batteries be glued to a thin plastic backplate that get screwed to the chassis for easier removal? That’s how it was/is done in the first unibody integrated battery Macs and many new Windows laptops today.

 

[kernel_panic]

As someone who's replaced several MBP batteries over the last 5-6 years, this is a VERY welcome change. The number of screws and components to remove on those older laptops was not fun. And the battery adhesive was always a huge pain no matter which removal method I tried.

 

[platinumaqua]

This is great and I hope that future laptops will implement this!

M2 chassis MacBook Airs has has similarly replaceable batteries so it was simply a matter of time before the pros get it.

 

[zilchfox]

As an Apple service technician, I am super happy to see this. I’ll always welcome my job being easier to do.

 

[johntherazz]

$210 just for a battery? Sheesh. I can normally just about justify Apple’s inflated prices by saying ‘you get what you pay for’ but that’s ’wheels on a Mac Pro’ money

 

[wyliej]

Finally! They should have never had glued-in batteries from the start. Now do SSDs next.

 

[iBluetooth]

It doesn't need a design change. You can get third party batteries shipped. Why not Apple?

You can already get 3rd party batteries but they are difficult to replace and warranty is void, although Apple fixed my battery mess, without asking questions and for free after my ****up.