MacBook Air battery replacement in Apple Store - what is typical turnaround like?

[jafico1]

Hi folks,

Battery on my M1 MacBook Air (2020) just dipped below 80% after 5 years, so I'm looking at replacement options. I'm in the UK and have two choices: local Apple Authorised Service Provider in my city (about a week turnaround from their central repair facility, based on past experience), or drive an hour to an Apple Store. Does anyone know if Apple Stores can do MacBook battery replacements same day, like they do with iPhones? Mail-in doesn’t seem to be an option.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[kitKAC]

I don’t think any MacBook repairs are done in store. I had my 2018 MacBook Pro battery replaced in 2021, and it was sent off to Poland to be replaced (I’m in the UK).

 

[GMShadow]

They will likely send it off to the depot. It *should* be a few days but it's been years since I've had a Mac battery replaced.

 

[cjsuk]

This has gone downhill recently unfortunately. When the batteries were separate modules they'd do it at the Apple Store in a couple of hours. Unfortunately they are taped to the top case now so they tend to send it off which will take 3-5 days.

Really your only option is to keep a spare machine around if you need to bridge the gap (I can survive on my iPad for that length of time worst case).

Personally I will just replace it myself with third party battery if it comes to it in a few years on my M4. I tend to sell my kit after 3 years though so it's someone else's problem!

Anyway book an appointment at the Apple Store and do it from the apple support app and pick the bit of hardware you are going in about and talk to them. You don't have to accept the repair and can just go elsewhere.