Apple Offering Free Battery Replacements for 2016-2017 MacBook Pros That Can't Charge Past 1% - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Offering Free Battery Replacements for 2016-2017 MacBook Pros That Can't Charge Past 1%

Apple today released macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 to address an issue that may prevent the battery from charging in some 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models, and the company has since shared a new support document with more details.

2017 2018 macbook pro yellow feature
Apple says a "very small number of customers" with 2016 and 2017 models of the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro have experienced an issue with the battery not charging past 1%. The battery health status on affected notebooks will indicate "Service Recommended." To identify your Mac model, click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and click on About This Mac. The following models may be impacted by this issue:

- MacBook Pro (13­-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-­inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2016)
- MacBook Pro (15-­inch, 2017)

If your MacBook Pro exhibits this behavior, Apple says to contact the company for a battery replacement, free of charge. Apple says it will examine the notebook prior to service to verify that it is eligible for the free replacement.

If your MacBook Pro has not exhibited this issue, updating to macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 as soon as possible is still highly recommended as a precaution. There is also a macOS Catalina 10.15.7 Supplemental Update that prevents the issue.

macOS Big Sur users can determine if their battery needs service by opening the System Preferences app, clicking Battery, selecting Battery in the sidebar, and clicking Battery Health. On macOS Catalina or earlier, users can hold the Option key and click the battery icon in the menu bar to reveal the battery status menu.

Related Roundup: MacBook Pro
Buyer's Guide: MacBook Pro (Buy Now)
Related Forums: MacBook Pro, macOS Big Sur

Popular Stories

M5 MacBook Pro

RIP, MacBook Ultra

Monday October 19, 2026 9:37 am PDT by
Apple today sent out invites for an experience in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28, and the "Pro and tell" tagline on the invitation likely means that the rumored MacBook models with touch-enabled OLED displays will stick with MacBook Pro branding instead of the once-rumored "MacBook Ultra" name. The long-rumored "iPhone Ultra" ended up being named iPhone Duo, so speculation that Apple...
MacBook Pro Ultra Feature 1

Apple to Launch Touchscreen OLED MacBook Pro and OLED iPad mini on October 27

Thursday October 8, 2026 1:31 pm PDT by
Apple will introduce new OLED touchscreen MacBook Pro models and an OLED iPad mini "on or around" Tuesday, October 27, reports Bloomberg. The launch will also include an M6 14-inch MacBook Pro and an M6 iMac. The October 27 follows Apple's October 13 debut of a new smart home hub, a revamped Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini. Earlier this month, MacRumors reported that Apple would do ...
Black Apple Event Logo

Apple Now Inviting Media to October 28 'Launch Experience'

Thursday October 15, 2026 4:13 am PDT by
Apple has begun inviting selected members of the media to a product launch experience in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 28, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In a post on X, Gurman described the gathering as an "all-day product launch experience" for touchscreen MacBooks, a new iPad mini, and Macs equipped with M6 chips. Gurman previously reported that Apple would introduce the...

Top Rated Comments

JPack Avatar
75 months ago
The issues for the 2016-2017 keep piling on, not that I don't appreciate Apple's support programs.


* Flexgate
* Staingate
* Butterfly keyboard
* SSD failure (non-Touch Bar models)


Now battery failure.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Tim Windsor Avatar
75 months ago
This is exactly what I experienced today on my m1 MacBook Air. It’s now been sent in for battery replacement under the original warranty. Weird that it’s a hardware fix if it’s across so many Macs and seems to be triggered by Big Sur.

Attachment Image
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
75 months ago

A year ago I had to pay $375 to Apple to get this issue fixed. When do I get my $ back?
You'll likely have better results contacting Apple.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LFC2020 Avatar
75 months ago
You learning Samsung, that’s what you call the best customer service in the industry.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
75 months ago
So if you can charge to 2%, you’re out of luck 😂
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
75 months ago

Best customer service? I would imagine making a battery that lasted more than 3-4 years to be a higher priority
customer service and battery durability are two separate things.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Latest Stories
Best Buy Opens Pre-Orders for PROLED XDR MacBook Pro With $100 Bonus Gift Cards
Best Buy Opens Pre-Orders for PROLED XDR MacBook Pro With $100 Bonus Gift Cards
6 hours ago
Here's Everything Apple Announced This Week
Here's Everything Apple Announced This Week
6 hours ago
Here's a Real-World Look at the New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
Here's a Real-World Look at the New MacBook Pro's Glowing Apple Logo
7 hours ago
How Accurate Were Rumors About Apple's OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro?
How Accurate Were Rumors About Apple's OLED Touchscreen MacBook Pro?
7 hours ago
Apple Has 8 New Products Available for Pre-Order
Apple Has 8 New Products Available for Pre-Order
8 hours ago
iPhone Duo: Turn the Hinge Into an App Launcher
iPhone Duo: Turn the Hinge Into an App Launcher
9 hours ago
OLED MacBook Pro vs. Mini-LED MacBook Pro: Size and Weight Compared
OLED MacBook Pro vs. Mini-LED MacBook Pro: Size and Weight Compared
10 hours ago
Best Buy Offering Up to $100 Gift Cards With iPad Mini 8 and M6 MacBook Pro Pre-Orders
Best Buy Offering Up to $100 Gift Cards With iPad Mini 8 and M6 MacBook Pro Pre-Orders
10 hours ago
Adding Touch Didn't Cost the MacBook Pro Any Battery Life
Adding Touch Didn't Cost the MacBook Pro Any Battery Life
10 hours ago
Apple Releases Redesigned Mac Chargers and 'World Travel Adapter Kit'
Apple Releases Redesigned Mac Chargers and 'World Travel Adapter Kit'
11 hours ago
Apple Executives Explain Why the MacBook Pro Finally Has a Touch Screen
Apple Executives Explain Why the MacBook Pro Finally Has a Touch Screen
11 hours ago
New MacBook Pro Features Deeper Bass and Improved Closed-Lid Audio
New MacBook Pro Features Deeper Bass and Improved Closed-Lid Audio
11 hours ago
New MacBook Pro Offers Up to 16TB of Storage, Double Previous Limit
New MacBook Pro Offers Up to 16TB of Storage, Double Previous Limit
11 hours ago
Apple's New Touchscreen MacBook Pro Costs Up to $14,549
Apple's New Touchscreen MacBook Pro Costs Up to $14,549
11 hours ago
Apple Brings Dynamic Island to Mac for the First Time
Apple Brings Dynamic Island to Mac for the First Time
12 hours ago
Mac Studio With M5 Ultra Now Available With 512GB RAM for $22,299
Mac Studio With M5 Ultra Now Available With 512GB RAM for $22,299
12 hours ago
Illuminated Apple Logo Returns to MacBook Pro After 10 Years
Illuminated Apple Logo Returns to MacBook Pro After 10 Years
12 hours ago
Apple Announces OLED MacBook Pro With Touch Display
Apple Announces OLED MacBook Pro With Touch Display
12 hours ago
Apple Store Down Ahead of 'Pro and Tell' Launch Today
Apple Store Down Ahead of 'Pro and Tell' Launch Today
12 hours ago
South Korea Rules Against Apple Over App Store Payment Rules
South Korea Rules Against Apple Over App Store Payment Rules
13 hours ago
iOS 27.2 Adds Selfie-Based Age Verification
iOS 27.2 Adds Selfie-Based Age Verification
14 hours ago
Beats 360 Get First Price Drop Alongside Return of Record Low for AirPods 4
Beats 360 Get First Price Drop Alongside Return of Record Low for AirPods 4
15 hours ago
Apple Raises MacBook Neo's Starting Price to $649 on Education Store
Apple Raises MacBook Neo's Starting Price to $649 on Education Store
15 hours ago
MacBook Studio?
MacBook Studio?
15 hours ago
Apple CEO John Ternus Teases Touchscreen MacBook Pro: 12 Final Rumors
Apple CEO John Ternus Teases Touchscreen MacBook Pro: 12 Final Rumors
16 hours ago
Touchscreen MacBook Pro's New Hinge Linked to iPhone Duo 2
Touchscreen MacBook Pro's New Hinge Linked to iPhone Duo 2
17 hours ago
macOS 27 Assets Hint at Dynamic Island for MacBook Pro
macOS 27 Assets Hint at Dynamic Island for MacBook Pro
18 hours ago
Touchscreen MacBook Pro to Debut Today With These 5 Features
Touchscreen MacBook Pro to Debut Today With These 5 Features
19 hours ago
Apple to Open Pre-Orders for Five New Products Today
Apple to Open Pre-Orders for Five New Products Today
19 hours ago
MacPaw Launches 'Eney' AI Assistant for Mac and iPhone
MacPaw Launches 'Eney' AI Assistant for Mac and iPhone
22 hours ago