MacBook Pro 2018 swelling

[Ron21]

Yes, this proves that keeping laptop on charger is killing battery for sure. It is a device designed to be used mostly on batteries and recharged. Maybe better to invest in Mac mini when you plan keeping it connected 100%?

There is other thread in this forum with guy fighting load cycles for profit of inflating resale value of used MacBook 😂😂.
Actually when considering to buy used, I will stay away from these +3 years old MacBooks with original battery cycles <100 - battery is ruined on those.

That is 100% true, from my experience, a 'high' or 'normal' battery cycle count is better than low when it comes to 2+ year old MacBooks. This typically indicates normal MacBook usage vs running it closed and always plugged in.

Many MacBook that have <50 battery cycle count after several years are more prone to issues based on my first hand experience.

 

[macagain]

Same problem here. 2018 15" Macbook Pro. The authorized reseller quoted me $500 for the battery/case replacement and said warranty is out (the device is 1.5 years old). Anyway I can get Apple to refund this fee?

No, no, no... worst case situation is you pay $199 for a battery replacement as listed at https://support.apple.com/mac/repair/service.

Better way is to have your keyboard replaced due to keys being non-responsive intermittently . The keyboard replacement brings with it the entire top case and battery. This is covered by the apple quality program and is good for 4 years and costs you exactly 0.

If that reseller won't do it, try another one. They just bill it back to apple and doesn't cost them anything.

 

[mguzzi]

We had a 13" 2016 MBP with Touch Bar that had a battery failure and wasn't even a year old.

 

[hollandog]

hollandog wrote:
"Edit: Just chatted with Apple again they can't do anything over the chat. I have to call to initiate the mail-in repair which they don't guarantee if they would cover it or wait for the stores to open..."

Then... just do it.
Have them send you the prepaid shipping box.
Send the MacBook to them.
If they won't do it "for free", I believe the standard charge should be $199 (US).
THAT'S CHEAP for what you get back in return.

Again, don't wait.
You snooze on this... you're gonna lose.

Actually Apple support is quoting me flat rate $800 or so...
Over the phone they suggested me to wait for the stores to open and bring it in.

I mentioned the keyboard sometimes not responding but he wouldn't do it under the keyboard program.

He ran to ask the tech and was told the battery swollen to prevent fire risk. It's either fire risk or swollen battery and the swollen battery is the better out come of both. I guess until someone's 2016+ battery catches fire and get on the news they will try to not do anything.

 

[yukari]

No, no, no... worst case situation is you pay $199 for a battery replacement as listed at https://support.apple.com/mac/repair/service.

Better way is to have your keyboard replaced due to keys being non-responsive intermittently . The keyboard replacement brings with it the entire top case and battery. This is covered by the apple quality program and is good for 4 years and costs you exactly 0.

If that reseller won't do it, try another one. They just bill it back to apple and doesn't cost them anything.

Actually Apple support is quoting me flat rate $800 or so...
Over the phone they suggested me to wait for the stores to open and bring it in.

I mentioned the keyboard sometimes not responding but he wouldn't do it under the keyboard program.

He ran to ask the tech and was told the battery swollen to prevent fire risk. It's either fire risk or swollen battery and the swollen battery is the better out come of both. I guess until someone's 2016+ battery catches fire and get on the news they will try to not do anything.

See my reply on this thread (post #4): https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macbook-and-monitor-issues-clamshell-mode.2240751/
[automerge]1592004387[/automerge]

I assume you meant "discharge", otherwise it would be expensive

I believe Apple no longer recommend this practice and you can keep your MBP connected to power at all times.

There is a tiny microcontroller in the battery itself which should manage the health of the battery.

NO! This is inaccurate information as others and I have observed. It may be true theoretically, but it does not work.

Just brought my MacBookPro 2018-15 to let replace the battery as well. It is covered by a replacement program from apple - puh.
The keyboard was swollen to an extend that the display could not even close properly anymore!
View attachment 881683

That is exactly how I notice my MBP had swollen battery. It was not as bad as your picture, I notice mine had ~3 mm on both of the edges not touching the display.

 

[chaoskaizer]

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
cycle count 58
bought in early 2019

warranty expired, how much does it cost to replace the battery and bottom/front case replacement?

 

[yukari]

View attachment 924493

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
cycle count 58
bought in early 2019

warranty expired, how much does it cost to replace the battery and bottom/front case replacement?

That looks really bad. I would take it in for repair asap. I don't know how much it will cost. My guess is $500-$800 range?

After seeing all the problems with 2016-2018 MBP keyboards, I actually bought AppleCare+ (thank god!). I had to have the top case (not the bottom one like yours) and swollen battery replaced a week ago. This was after 1-1/2 years after I bought mine.

Now with any MBP, I always recommend people buy AppleCare+. Other Apple products, I don't recommend, but for some reason I see more problems with MBP's.

 

[chaoskaizer]

That looks really bad. I would take it in for repair asap. I don't know how much it will cost. My guess is $500-$800 range?

After seeing all the problems with 2016-2018 MBP keyboards, I actually bought AppleCare+ (thank god!). I had to have the top case (not the bottom one like yours) and swollen battery replaced a week ago. This was after 1-1/2 years after I bought mine.

Now with any MBP, I always recommend people buy AppleCare+. Other Apple products, I don't recommend, but for some reason I see more problems with MBP's.

noted thank you @yukari .

I didnt notice much about the battery sweelling badly because I placed it on a desk stand w/ my secondary monitor, it doesn hum or make any loud noise, just this morning mac *kernel_task hogging 90% of the cpu (temperature). That’s when i realise the battery gone ape ****.

 

[lobo1978]

View attachment 924493

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
cycle count 58
bought in early 2019

warranty expired, how much does it cost to replace the battery and bottom/front case replacement?

That’s look bad. Cycle count only proves it was used mostly on power not battery.

Just curious have you considered Mac mini (desktop) instead of MacBook (laptop). Might be cheaper than replacing battery and backplate every 2 years or so.

 

[yukari]

I noticed when you have it plugged in most of the time, the battery seems to deteriorate much faster. Now I only have it charged to 55% when I have it plugged in and use an external monitor.

I charge to 80-90% when traveling. The only time I charge it to 100% is when I know I will be away from a power source and need my MBP for an extended period (i.e., more than 5-8 hours).

 

[lobo1978]

I noticed when you have it plugged in most of the time, the battery seems to deteriorate much faster. Now I only have it charged to 55% when I have it plugged in and use an external monitor.

I charge to 80-90% when traveling. The only time I charge it to 100% is when I know I will be away from a power source and need my MBP for an extended period (i.e., more than 5-8 hours).

Seems like a good practice. Knowing how battery chemistry works should make it last longer

 

[jerryk]

View attachment 924493

MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018)
cycle count 58
bought in early 2019

warranty expired, how much does it cost to replace the battery and bottom/front case replacement?

$199 for battery replacement service which includes battery, keyboard, trackpad, and Aluminum top case. After they get that done, they probably can flex the bottom enough to make it sit flat. If they can't I am not sure what they charge for a new one. Hopefully not too much

 

[chaoskaizer]

I have another mac retina 13" with docked setup on dual 34" monitor that connected endlessly to power source without issue for the past 5 years. So Im quite suprise that the macbook pro touch 15 (2018) got this problem.

my mac retina

my retina13 setup

power unit at the floor, with power filter/conditioner then to stabiliser-UPS, the dock retina 13 under the desk

 

[SCP]

MBP 2017 15", dropped off today at Apple store to be shipped off to Apple repair facility for swollen battery. It's really frustrating given that my previous MBP had swollen battery, when the XS came out I gave my X to my FiL, and within a year he had to have a swollen battery replaced, same scenario after I have my 5S to my dad when the 6 came out, a short time after, had to take that in for swollen battery. Absolutely ridiculous that four Apple devices I've purchased have suffered from battery swelling. You would think that at some point Apple would get a clue to make things like batteries and storage devices completely removable and not embedded given their history of failure. Also ridiculous that the design means that I have to ship my MBP off for repair and be without it for 1-2 weeks, especially since I'll be traveling and have to migrate everything over to a Windows laptop to bridge the gap...

 

[canhaz]

My Macbook Pro 13" 2018 TB (purchased Jan 2019) lid wouldn't close. Turns out it was the battery swelling that caused the issue. It's passed the 1 year warranty so Apple said it will cost $299 (+tax) to fix it. (it's under AppleCare+)

I was a bit shocked. Though defects would get fixed for free. Guess not!?

 

[yukari]

that's technically not a defect. If you have AppleCare+, it should be free to fix.

 

[Christopher Kim]

My Macbook Pro 13" 2018 TB (purchased Jan 2019) lid wouldn't close. Turns out it was the battery swelling that caused the issue. It's passed the 1 year warranty so Apple said it will cost $299 (+tax) to fix it. (it's under AppleCare+)

I was a bit shocked. Though defects would get fixed for free. Guess not!?

Agree with @yukari, you should push further. Especially if you have AppleCare+ on it, definitely would've thought this would be covered for free.

 

[Appledoesnotlisten]

I have another mac retina 13" with docked setup on dual 34" monitor that connected endlessly to power source without issue for the past 5 years. So Im quite suprise that the macbook pro touch 15 (2018) got this problem.

my mac retina
View attachment 924726
my retina13 setup
View attachment 924724


power unit at the floor, with power filter/conditioner then to stabiliser-UPS, the dock retina 13 under the desk
View attachment 924725

Man, terrific setup.
Is there any website or a FB group where people discuss such setups? I want something along these lines and am looking for some ideas.
Thanks!

 

[canhaz]

So this is really confusing. It says accidental damage incurs a $299 fee. Did I accidentally damage my machine by simply using it??

I don't get it.

 

[matram]

Does you battery retain less than 80% of its capacity? Maybe Apple thinks that it is misuse from your part that caused an early failure?

Have you asked for an explanation?

 

[canhaz]

Does you battery retain less than 80% of its capacity? Maybe Apple thinks that it is misuse from your part that caused an early failure?

Have you asked for an explanation?

Thank you. Called the Authorized 3rd party Apple Repair center back. Apple stores are not doing repairs in my area because COVID.

Turns out, they were meaning to call and let me know it was a free repair after all. I guess some confusion occurred when checking it in, cos the initial problem was cited as "Lid is bent/doesn't close".

I could see how that could be seen to be caused by accidental damage, eg sitting on the machine. However, in my case it was caused by battery swelling.

 

[canhaz]

that's technically not a defect.

Out of curiosity, what makes you say it's not a defect. Could there a more appropriate word to use?

Is battery swelling an expected feature of the product? Has Apple provided terms and conditions that it must not be used plugged in all the time?

I understand for example that a Tesla guy let his car (also lithium ion) go unplugged for 6 months and it fried the battery. Tesla stuck to their guns because it was mentioned in the manual this was a risk of damage scenario.

 

[yukari]

Out of curiosity, what makes you say it's not a defect. Could there a more appropriate word to use?

Is battery swelling an expected feature of the product? Has Apple provided terms and conditions that it must not be used plugged in all the time?

I understand for example that a Tesla guy let his car (also lithium ion) go unplugged for 6 months and it fried the battery. Tesla stuck to their guns because it was mentioned in the manual this was a risk of damage scenario.

It is known that when battery is always plugged-in and constantly being kept at 100%, gases will form and the battery will swell. So it is part of having the battery constantly at 100% charge, which isn't a defect but is a known problem.

I had my battery swollen (2018 MBP 15") by having it being charged 100% more often than not, and the top lid wasn't closing tightly due to swollen battery. I talked to Apple customer service and had my batter and the top case of the bottom panel (i.e., keyboard panel) replaced under AppleCare + at no charge.

I don't know why they wouldn't replace yours free of charge under AppleCare+ as it is NOT an accidental damage.

 

[Gatnus]

I'm bringing my 2018 MacBook Pro in tomorrow for the same issue. It spends 99.5% of the time closed and plugged in to an external monitor / bluetooth keyboard. I noticed that when I pulled it off it's stand that it wobbled on the desk. I'm also noticing that the laptop no longer closes all the way. Hoping for a quick repair and glad I have an extended warranty, so still covered.

 

[Appledoesnotlisten]

It is known that when battery is always plugged-in and constantly being kept at 100%, gases will form and the battery will swell. So it is part of having the battery constantly at 100% charge, which isn't a defect but is a known problem.

I had my battery swollen (2018 MBP 15") by having it being charged 100% more often than not, and the top lid wasn't closing tightly due to swollen battery. I talked to Apple customer service and had my batter and the top case of the bottom panel (i.e., keyboard panel) replaced under AppleCare + at no charge.

I don't know why they wouldn't replace yours free of charge under AppleCare+ as it is NOT an accidental damage.

Thanks man.
I am keeping one of the 2017 machines plugged-in about 100% of the time. It's a very convenient setup and my external monitors forget where they were if I unplug.

Is there a way to find out if my battery is likely to swell?
And would it be enough if I disconnect, say, once a week and discharge to 50%?