Apple Launches Battery Replacement Program for Non-Touch Bar 13-Inch MacBook Pro Models

Apple today announced a new worldwide battery replacement program for some 13-inch MacBook Pro models that do not have a Touch Bar. Affected machines were manufactured between October 2016 and October 2017.

Apple says that a limited number of these units feature a component that can fail and cause the built-in battery to expand. It is not a safety issue, according to the company, and Apple will replace all eligible batteries.

macbookpronotouchbar
Customers who want to see if their machines are eligible for a fresh battery should use the serial number checker on the MacBook Pro Battery Replacement page. You can find your serial number by clicking on the Apple logo in the menu bar and selecting "About This Mac." The serial number is located at the bottom of the information window.

Affected customers who are eligible for a new battery will need to visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider, make an appointment at an Apple retail store, or mail their device into an Apple Repair Center after initiating a repair with Apple Support.

Apple suggests customers who are getting a battery replacement back up their machines ahead of time. Apple also says that if the MacBook Pro in question has damage that will impair the replacement of the battery, it must be addressed prior to the battery replacement process.

Any customer who has already paid for a replacement battery can contact Apple Support about a refund.

The battery replacement program covers affected MacBook Pro models for five years after the first retail sale of the unit.

Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 Lineup Specs Detail Display Upgrade and New High-End Model

Monday July 22, 2024 4:33 am PDT by
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
iPhone SE 4 Vertical Camera Feature

iPhone SE 4 Production Will Reportedly Begin Ramping Up in October

Tuesday July 23, 2024 2:00 pm PDT by
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
Generic iPhone 17 Feature With Full Width Dynamic Island

Kuo: Ultra-Thin iPhone 17 to Feature A19 Chip, Single Rear Camera, Semi-Titanium Frame, and More

Wednesday July 24, 2024 9:06 am PDT by
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

These 5 Features Will Make the iPhone 17 the Biggest Update in Years

Monday July 22, 2024 4:02 pm PDT by
The upcoming iPhone 16 models that we're expecting to see in September are going to be quite similar to the iPhone 15 models, but rumors suggest that Apple is making big changes in 2025. We've been hearing hints of an all-new device in the iPhone lineup, and it may be the most expensive iPhone Apple has offered to date. New 'Slim' Design Rumors have taken to referring to the new iPhone 17...
iOS 18 on iPhone Feature

Everything New in iOS 18 Beta 4

Tuesday July 23, 2024 1:08 pm PDT by
Apple released the fourth beta of iOS 18 today, introducing small changes to a number of features throughout the operating system. There are no big additions in this beta, but Apple is continuing to refine existing settings and design choices. Apple plans to continue updating iOS 18 over the next few months, with the update set to be released this fall. We've rounded up all of the changes...
iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Launch Early Next Year With OLED Display, 48MP Camera, and More

Monday July 22, 2024 7:22 am PDT by
The fourth-generation iPhone SE will offer a series of major upgrades over the current model, the leaker known as "Ice Universe" claims. The information was listed in a post on Weibo, which also detailed the specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup. As previously rumored, the fourth-generation iPhone SE is expected to feature Face ID and USB-C, marking a major upgrade from current and previous ...
iPhone 17 Plus Feature Purple

iPhone 17 Rumored to Feature Mechanical Aperture

Tuesday July 23, 2024 9:32 am PDT by
Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information. The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android...

Top Rated Comments

FocusAndEarnIt Avatar
82 months ago
How about the keyboards?
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
benface Avatar
82 months ago
Damnit, I got really excited for a second when I started reading the title "Apple Launches..." and the image of a MacBook Pro in the article.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Webster's Mac Avatar
82 months ago
('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/04/20/apple-macbook-pro-replacement-program/')


Apple today announced a new worldwide battery replacement program ('https://www.apple.com/support/13inch-macbookpro-battery-replacement/') for some 13-inch MacBook Pro models that do not have a Touch Bar. Affected machines were manufactured between October 2016 and October 2017.

Apple says that a limited number of these units feature a component that can fail and cause the built-in battery to expand. It is not a safety issue, according to the company, and Apple will replace all eligible batteries.



Customers who want to see if their machines are eligible for a fresh battery should use the serial number checker on the MacBook Pro Battery Replacement page ('https://www.apple.com/support/13inch-macbookpro-battery-replacement/'). You can find your serial number by clicking on the Apple logo in the menu bar and selecting "About This Mac." The serial number is located at the bottom of the information window.

Affected customers who are eligible for a new battery will need to visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider, make an appointment at an Apple retail store, or mail their device into an Apple Repair Center after initiating a repair with Apple Support.

Apple suggests customers who are getting a battery replacement back up their machines ahead of time. Apple also says that if the MacBook Pro in question has damage that will impair the replacement of the battery, it must be addressed prior to the battery replacement process.

Any customer who has already paid for a replacement battery can contact Apple Support ('https://getsupport.apple.com/') about a refund.

The battery replacement program covers affected MacBook Pro models for five years after the first retail sale of the unit.

Article Link: Apple Launches Battery Replacement Program for Non-Touch Bar 13-Inch MacBook Pro Models ('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/04/20/apple-macbook-pro-replacement-program/')
They should come out with a Macbook Pro replacement program where they give you one that can actually be serviced/upgraded, support 32gb ram, and not have a meh keyboard.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FocusAndEarnIt Avatar
82 months ago
I’ve never been sure just how many keyboards on the 2016/2017 MBP had a real issue. The keyboard was redesigned at some point, and many actual users report no issue.

Then there are a few who complain about the keyboards being rendered useless with a “speck of dust.” Always that same wording, over and over... a speck of dust.

I don’t doubt for a second there are some number of keyboards out there that have/had a real issue. But given how this complaint has been harped on and amplified by those who hate the latest model due to ports/thinness/cost/touch bar/etc., I do wonder about the true frequency of actual problems.

It can’t be every unit, since there are plenty of reports that a new keyboard solved the problem, and there are millions who have never had the issue.

What I am sure of is that Apple hasn’t had to replace keyboards multiple times on 10+ million MBP. If that had been the case, we’d be hearing about it from a lot more than the fraction of a percent who complain about it on the internets. And there would already be multiple class action lawsuits filed, I’m sure.
I'm on my third keyboard on the 2016 touchbar 15" MBP. The geniuses at the Apple Store near Philadelphia said they see it all the time. It's a real issue, and not fabricated by online Apple fanboys as one might think. There's a real issue: the new key mechanism has proven unable to withstand normal wear and tear of people who use their Macs in demanding workflows and production environments (ie use for about 8-10 hours on a normal work day). It's fine for the first couple or even 6 months, then they start rapidly failing.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dilbert99 Avatar
82 months ago
what a croc, an expanding battery is a safety issue
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sundog925 Avatar
82 months ago
how about quit rushing things to manufacture every.single.year and take the time MAKE QUALITY GREAT AGAIN.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)