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Retina Display MacBook Pro Q&A
Revision Published January 19, 2021
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How do you replace the battery in the 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro? Is it more or less difficult than the 15-Inch Retina Display models? Is it possible?
All 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models have an integrated lithium-polymer battery. Specifically, the 13-Inch "Late 2012" and "Early 2013" models have an integrated 74-watt-hour battery, the "Late 2013" and "Mid-2014" models have an integrated 71.8-watt-hour battery, and the "Early 2015" models have an integrated 74.9-watt-hour battery.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro, A1502)
Identification Help
Multiple 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro notebooks share the A1425 and A1502 Model Numbers but have different batteries. Consequently, the best way to identify them uniquely enough for the purpose of replacing the battery is either by external EMC Number or by the Model Identifier in software (assuming that it will boot).
As always, EveryMac.com has diligently hand documented these details for your convenience:
MacBook Pro |
Subfamily |
EMC |
Model Identifier |
13-Inch (Late 2012) |
Late 2012 |
||
13-Inch (Early 2013) |
Early 2013 |
||
13-Inch (Late 2013) |
Late 2013 |
||
13-Inch (Mid-2014) |
Mid-2014 |
||
13-Inch (Early 2015) |
Early 2015 |
Of course, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature additionally can uniquely identify each of the 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models by their serial numbers as well as other identifiers.
Battery Identification
There are five different 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro lines that collectively use three different batteries:
13" Retina MBP |
Battery Model |
Battery Part No. |
Late 2012 |
A1437 |
020-7851-A |
Early 2013 |
A1437 |
020-7851-A |
Late 2013 |
A1493 |
020-8148 |
Mid-2014 |
A1493 |
020-8148 |
Mid-2015 |
A1582 |
020-00009 |
If you are purchasing a battery yourself, be sure to buy one that is compatible with your particular MacBook Pro. Site sponsor OWC sells one battery replacement kit complete with the needed tools for the Late 2012 and Early 2013 models and another one for the Late 2013, 2014, and 2015 models.
Official Replacement Option
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$199, in Canada it costs C$239 (originally C$209), in the UK it costs £169 (originally £159), and in Australia it costs A$279 (originally A$229) 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.
Self-Replacement Possible
Apple has not designed the battery in these systems to be replaced by end users. Although the repair process certainly is not easy, it also is not quite as difficult and wasteful as it is for the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models.
As first discovered by iFixit in the site's typical teardowns of the 13-Inch MacBook Pro "Late 2012/Early 2013" and "Late 2013" models, Apple sadly has glued the battery in place, but it was possible for these technical experts to pry the batteries away from the top case assembly without puncturing the battery. Note that prying the battery is dangerous and is not recommended. It is safer to use a solvent to dissolve the glue.
For the "Late 2012" and "Early 2013" models, it does not appear that it is necessary to throw away the entire top case, trackpad, and other parts just to replace the battery, either. However, the "Late 2013" and "Mid-2014" models are at least somewhat worse, "burying the [trackpad] alive," even if they forgo the "earlier revision's contact board shenanigans" for a more standard connector. Likewise, the "Early 2015" battery still is attached with "gunk" and the central cells are even "tougher to remove than in years gone by."
It still is a needlessly difficult and dangerous procedure to replace the battery in the 13-Inch "Retina Display" MacBook Pro models, but it can be quite possible for a careful and technically minded individual with professional experience upgrading notebook computers.
Site sponsor OWC has released compatible battery upgrade kits -- complete with all needed tools and solvent -- for the Late 2012 and Early 2013 models and Late 2013, 2014, and 2015 models.
OWC also has produced these useful videos of the battery replacement process:
Late 2012/Early 2013 13" Retina MacBook Pro Battery Replacement Video
Late 2013/2014/2015 13" Retina MacBook Pro Battery Replacement Video
As as the above videos make clear, it is a complicated process and involves working with solvents to dissolve glue to replace the battery in these models. However, at least it is quicker than it is for the 15-Inch Retina MacBook Pro. Professional installation is strongly recommended.
Battery Replacement Summary
Essentially, it is possible, but difficult and potentially dangerous, to replace the battery in the 13-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models. However, for professionals and those highly skilled with notebook upgrades, it is quite possible.
Although it once seemed unlikely, Apple thankfully has returned to notebook designs with batteries that are easier to replace courtesy of "pull-to-remove" adhesive. Even later Apple notebooks have batteries that are not as easy to replace as they were prior to 2012, but they still are a major improvement over the "Retina Display" MacBook Pro lineup.
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