Macbook Pro 13 Unibody Mid 2012 Battery Replacement Repair Guide

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Featured Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

7

Time Required

                          5 - 15 minutes            

Sections

3

• Lower Case
• 2 steps
• Battery Connection
• 2 steps
• Battery
• 3 steps

Flags

1

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• BackMacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2012

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Introduction

What you need

Video Overview

Step 1

              Lower Case               

• Remove the following ten screws:
• Three 14.4 mm Phillips #00 screws
• Three 3.5 mm Phillips #00 screws
• Four 3.5 mm shouldered Phillips #00 screws
• When replacing the small screws, align them perpendicular to the slight curvature of the case (they don’t go straight down).

Remove the following ten screws:

Three 14.4 mm Phillips #00 screws

Three 3.5 mm Phillips #00 screws

Four 3.5 mm shouldered Phillips #00 screws

When replacing the small screws, align them perpendicular to the slight curvature of the case (they don’t go straight down).

1024

Step 2

• Use your fingers to pry the lower case away from the body of the MacBook near the vent.
• Remove the lower case.

Use your fingers to pry the lower case away from the body of the MacBook near the vent.

Remove the lower case.

Step 3

              Battery Connection               

• Use the edge of a spudger to pry the battery connector upwards from its socket on the logic board.
• It is useful to pry upward on both short sides of the connector to “walk” it out of its socket. Be careful with the corners of the connectors, they can be easily broken off.

Use the edge of a spudger to pry the battery connector upwards from its socket on the logic board.

It is useful to pry upward on both short sides of the connector to “walk” it out of its socket. Be careful with the corners of the connectors, they can be easily broken off.

Step 4

• Bend the battery cable slightly away from its socket on the logic board so it does not accidentally connect itself while you work.

Bend the battery cable slightly away from its socket on the logic board so it does not accidentally connect itself while you work.

Step 5

              Battery               

• Remove the following two screws:
• One 5.6 mm Tri-point screw
• One 13 mm Tri-point screw

Remove the following two screws:

One 5.6 mm Tri-point screw

One 13 mm Tri-point screw

Step 6

• Carefully peel the battery warning label off the upper case between the battery and the optical drive.
• Do not remove the label from the battery.

Carefully peel the battery warning label off the upper case between the battery and the optical drive.

Do not remove the label from the battery.

Step 7

• Use the attached plastic pull tab to remove the battery from the upper case.
• If you’re installing a new battery, you should calibrate it after installation:
• Charge it to 100%, and then keep charging it for at least 2 more hours. Next, unplug and use it normally to drain the battery. When you see the low battery warning, save your work, and keep your laptop on until it goes to sleep due to low battery. Wait at least 5 hours, then charge your laptop uninterrupted to 100%.
• If you notice any unusual behavior or problems after installing your new battery, you may need to reset your MacBook’s SMC.

Use the attached plastic pull tab to remove the battery from the upper case.

If you’re installing a new battery, you should calibrate it after installation:

Charge it to 100%, and then keep charging it for at least 2 more hours. Next, unplug and use it normally to drain the battery. When you see the low battery warning, save your work, and keep your laptop on until it goes to sleep due to low battery. Wait at least 5 hours, then charge your laptop uninterrupted to 100%.

If you notice any unusual behavior or problems after installing your new battery, you may need to reset your MacBook’s SMC.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

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brucebridges - Oct 10, 2016

Reply

I thought these batteries couldn’t be replaced.

John Lang - Feb 14, 2017

These batteries are built to the same spec as OEM (Apple)

They are just not “user friendly” to replace like most devices are, the price we pay for pretty devices.

This guide is excellent and now I know I need 1 more tool before I do this myself. I need that tri-wing screwdriver.

Anrothan - Jan 19, 2017

Reply

Anyone know of any batteries with a larger capacity that could fit this?

coffee - Feb 20, 2017

It seems that there are no true larger capacity batteries for this Macbook. Ones that claim higher capacity are usually of dubious quality.

unlvkatherine - Mar 20, 2017

Reply

Clear, well written instructions, thank you! (But yes, a line about take off shoes and socks and ground yourself is helpful. )