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Apple Silicon MacBook Air Q&A
Update Published March 13, 2024
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Is it possible to replace the battery in the Apple Silicon MacBook Air? How?
All Apple Silicon MacBook Air models have integrated lithium polymer batteries.
The M1-powered models have an integrated 49.9 watt-hour battery, the 13" M2 and M3-powered models have an integrated 52.6 watt-hour battery, and the 15" M2 and M3-powered models have an integrated 66.5 watt-hour battery.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Original Apple Silicon MacBook Air)
Identification Help
If you're not sure whether you have a Apple Silicon MacBook Air or another model, different notebooks can be pinpointed by several different identifiers -- the Model Number, EMC Number, and Model Identifier.
At the moment, the Model Number and EMC Number are sufficient to collectively identify the Apple Silicon MacBook Air models. However, because these identifiers are more likely to be shared by subsequent models -- and these later models may use different batteries -- the best way to uniquely identify models in the long-term typically has been by Model Identifier in software:
| MacBook Air | Model No. | EMC No. | Model ID |
| M1, 2020 | A2337 | 3598 | MacBookAir10,1 |
| M2, 2022 13" | A2681 | 4074 | Mac14,2 |
| M2, 2023 15" | A2941 | 8301 | Mac14,15 |
| M3, 2024 13" | A3113 | 8611 | Mac15,12 |
| M3, 2024 15" | A3114 | 8612 | Mac15,13 |
EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature also can uniquely identify each of the Apple Silicon MacBook Air models by other identifiers, as well.
Battery Design
The battery in all Apple Silicon MacBook Air models is not easily "swappable" without opening the case. However, as first reported by an iFixit teardown, the battery in M1-powered models is very similar to the battery in the Retina MacBook Air and it likewise is designed to be removable via "pull-to-remove" adhesive strips.
Apple Silicon MacBook Air M1 Battery
Photo Credit: iFixit (MacBook Air M1 Battery)
Subsequent iFixit teardowns of the 13" and 15" M2 and M3-powered models also demonstrate that these models require significantly more disassembly to access the batteries than the original M1-powered model, but the batteries themselves are attached with "pull-to-remove" adhesive strips, as well.
Apple Silicon MacBook Air M2 13" Battery
Photo Credit: iFixit (MacBook Air M2 13" Battery)
Apple Silicon MacBook Air M2 15" Battery
Photo Credit: iFixit (MacBook Air M2 15" Battery)
Apple Silicon MacBook Air M3 13" Battery
Photo Credit: iFixit (MacBook Air M3 13" Battery)
Apple intends for the battery only to be replaced by a professional in all of these models, but screws and adhesive strips are a welcomed contrast from the awful glued in batteries in the earlier Retina MacBook, 13" Retina MacBook Pro, and 15" Retina MacBook Pro models.
Official Replacement Options
Formally, when the battery no longer holds a sufficient charge it is necessary to provide Apple with the entire notebook to have the battery replaced.
Apple provides official details on the company website -- and the price varies in different countries -- but in the US it costs US$129, in Canada it costs C$169, in the UK it costs £129, and in Australia it costs A$189 to have the battery replaced.
Those who live near an Apple Store can have the battery replaced the same day with an appointment or opt for service by mail which takes 3-4 days.
Unofficial Replacement Options
Although Apple intends for the Apple Silicon MacBook Air batteries only to be replaced professionally, the fact that each is well designed and can be replaced straightforwardly means that self-replacement is feasible for those with experience, as well.
Site sponsor OWC offers this convenient step-by-step video that covers the process for the original Apple Silicon MacBook Air:
By reviewing the video, you can decide whether or not you feel comfortable tackling the challenge yourself or if you would prefer to hire a pro.
Battery Replacement Summary
Ultimately, because the battery in the Apple Silicon MacBook Air models is designed to be replaced, albeit by a professional, self-replacement is quite feasible for the technically skilled.
Site sponsor OWC sells replacement batteries for the original Apple Silicon MacBook Air.
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