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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 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro? Is it even possible?
All 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models have an integrated "95-watt-hour lithium-polymer battery" which is not designed to be replaced by end users. Just because the battery was not designed to be replaced easily does not mean that it is impossible. For these models, it is sadly difficult, though.
Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro)
Unfortunately, as first discovered by iFixit in the site's trademark "teardown" of the initial "Mid-2012" release of the notebook, in addition to making the battery more difficult to access than it needs to be, Apple actually glued the battery in place. All subsequent models also have a glued in battery.
Identification Help
If you're not sure whether or not you have a 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro or another model, these models can be quickly identified collectively as they lack an internal optical drive and do not have "MacBook Pro" printed on the display bezel. Earlier 15-Inch MacBook Pro models have an optical drive, and later models do display "MacBook Pro" on the bottom display bezel.
All 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models share a unique external Model Number -- A1398 -- but this single identifier is not sufficient to identify these notebooks for the purpose of replacing the battery. Accordingly, the external EMC Number and Model Identifier in software are better for unique, long-term identification.
As always, EveryMac.com has carefully hand documented each of these identifiers for your convenience:
Retina MacBook Pro |
Subfamily |
EMC |
Model Identifier |
15-Inch |
Mid-2012 |
||
15-Inch |
Early 2013 |
||
15-Inch (Intg. Graphics) |
Late 2013 |
||
15-Inch (Dual Graphics) |
Late 2013 |
||
15-Inch (Intg. Graphics) |
Mid-2014 |
||
15-Inch (Dual Graphics) |
Mid-2014 |
||
15-Inch (Intg. Graphics) |
Mid-2015 |
||
15-Inch (Dual Graphics) |
Mid-2015 |
Finally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature additionally can uniquely identify all of the Retina Display MacBook Pro models by their serial numbers.
Battery Identification
There are five different 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro lines that collectively use three different batteries:
15" Retina MBP |
Battery Model |
Battery Part No. |
Mid-2012 |
A1417 |
020-7469-A |
Early 2013 |
A1417 |
020-7469-A |
Late 2013 |
A1494 |
020-8150 |
Mid-2014 |
A1494 |
020-8150 |
Mid-2015 |
A1618 |
020-00079 |
If you are buying a battery yourself, be sure to purchase one that is compatible with your specific MacBook Pro. Site sponsor OWC sells one battery replacement kit complete with the needed tools for the Mid-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 has posted complete 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 £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 Difficult & Potentially Dangerous
Unfortunately, Apple's decision to use copious amounts of glue to attach the battery to the upper case means that self-replacement is potentially dangerous. Originally, EveryMac.com speculated that it was unlikely to be cost-effective, as well. Surprisingly, affordable third-party replacement options have become available from site sponsor OWC and others.
As first reported by Treehugger, which received a copy of an Apple internal service document for the "Mid-2012" 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro, Apple informs its own service personnel that "batteries must be replaced with the top case assembly" and that "the battery alone is not a replaceable part." EveryMac.com also has been provided with copies of the internal service documents for subsequent 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro models and although there are internal differences between the specific parts in some models, the overall battery design effectively is the same.
Additionally, Apple warns its own technicians that "batteries should not be separated from the top case assembly for any reason," as attempting to do so could puncture the battery and lead to fire or injury. Do not attempt to pry the battery apart from the top case.
The top case assembly includes the trackpad and related parts and as a result, early estimates were that it likely would cost a third-party "over US$500" to replace the battery. Needless to say, such a price would not be cost-effective. Furthermore, replacing the entire top case assembly requires one to throw away parts that work properly just to replace the battery. Foolishly wasteful.
However, it is possible to dissolve the adhesive and install a new battery without discarding working parts, it is just unnecessarily difficult.
Battery Access Design Evaluation
There has been a fair amount of chatter across the Internet by armchair commentators that a "sealed" and "disposable" notebook design represents "progress," battery replacement is not possible with Apple's "Unibody" notebook design, and glue was a necessary compromise to make the Retina Display MacBook Pro so thin.
Those making such statements must have limited knowledge of Mac history. The original -- and truly groundbreaking -- "Unibody" MacBook and MacBook Pro models released in 2008 have a latch that makes replacing the battery quick and easy.
The still "Unibody" MacBook Pro models released in 2009 no longer sported a latch -- perhaps to make the underside of the notebook sleeker or perhaps to discourage upgrades -- but battery replacement still is straightforward in these models. The 2009 models also are the exact same dimensions as the 2008 models, so obviously Apple made this interior access change for reasons other than reducing the thickness of the notebook.
Nevertheless, a "latch" does occupy some space, and it seems quite feasible that a company could decide to forgo a simple latch-based or otherwise "swappable" battery design in an effort to make a notebook as thin as possible.
However, MacBook Air models are considerably thinner than the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro, and although these models lack a latch, the bottom panel simply is screwed in place (albeit with proprietary screws to discourage access). Even though they are thinner, batteries are not glued in place in the previously introduced MacBook Air series.
Consequently, as the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro is thicker than the MacBook Air models, it is not particularly believable that it was necessary to create a glued in place battery design as a "thinness" requirement for the Retina models, either. Although it seems unlikely at this point, it certainly is hoped that Apple will return to more elegant designs that do not involve adhesive.
Remarkably, site sponsor OWC has gone to the trouble to release a compatible battery for the Mid-2012 and Early 2013 models and another battery that is compatible with the Late 2013, 2014, and 2015 models. These battery upgrade kits include all needed tools, solvent to dissolve the glue, and even gloves.
OWC also has released these helpful videos of the battery replacement process:
Mid-2012/Early 2013 15" Retina MacBook Pro Battery Replacement Video
Late 2013/2014/2015 15" Retina MacBook Pro Battery Replacement Video
As you can see from watching the above videos, replacing the battery in these models is a difficult process that involves working with solvents to dissolve glue. Professional installation is strongly recommended.
Battery Replacement Summary
EveryMac.com originally speculated that it would not be possible to replace the battery yourself at all in the 15-Inch Retina Display MacBook Pro. Thankfully, this speculation was incorrect. It is possible to replace the batteries in these models, it is just needlessly difficult.
The battery in the Retina Display MacBook Pro likely will last most users 2.5 to 3 years (1000 charge cycles), and perhaps some consumers are happy to drop it off at an Apple Store or even will just purchase a new computer when the battery no longer holds a charge. No doubt Apple would be happy to sell you a new Mac more often.
If you're not comfortable being required to turn over your entire notebook computer to someone else simply to replace the battery or dislike the idea of working components being discarded needlessly to replace the battery, at least an independent option is available for those who are highly skilled and experienced working with computer upgrades.
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