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.
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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.
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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.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)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.
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...[doublepost=1508273307][/doublepost]The Apple store in Tampa international plaza first informed me that they were unaware of the issue and refused to replace based on the issue. They claim to know nothing about the Nov date for no charge replacements. I have a mid2012 16g x 1TB, purchased other laptops, iPhones, ipads and iPods from the original classic iPod. I've been told they can't do anything for me and to not go by what MacRumors reports. I'm looking forward to knowing where MacRumors is getting their info.
I just heard back from the store who now says that the part is not available and if I wait til Nov 15th (as reported by MacRumors), there will be no charge.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.
Happy 15th of November! Batteries and top cases should be in stock today. Has anyone dropped off their Macbook for repair today?
I have an appointment tomorrow, will update after.