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Featured Guide

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

7

Time Required

                          10 - 15 minutes

Sections

3

  • Lower Case
  • 2 steps
  • Battery Connector
  • 2 steps
  • Battery
  • 3 steps

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1

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  • BackMacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2012

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Lower Case
  • Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:
  • Three 13.5 mm (14.1 mm) Phillips screws.
  • Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.
  • When removing these screws, note how they come out at a slight angle. They must be reinstalled the same way.

Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:

Three 13.5 mm (14.1 mm) Phillips screws.

Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.

When removing these screws, note how they come out at a slight angle. They must be reinstalled the same way.

1024

Step 2

  • Using both hands, lift the lower case near the vent to pop it off two clips securing it to the upper case.
  • Remove the lower case and set it aside.

Using both hands, lift the lower case near the vent to pop it off two clips securing it to the upper case.

Remove the lower case and set it aside.

Step 3

              Battery Connector
  • For certain repairs (e.g. hard drive), disconnecting the battery connector is not necessary but is recommended as it prevents any accidental shorting of electronics on the motherboard. If you do not disconnect the battery connector, please be careful as parts of the motherboard might be electrified.
  • 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.

For certain repairs (e.g. hard drive), disconnecting the battery connector is not necessary but is recommended as it prevents any accidental shorting of electronics on the motherboard. If you do not disconnect the battery connector, please be careful as parts of the motherboard might be electrified.

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.

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 two 7.4 mm Tri-point screws securing the battery to the upper case.

Remove the two 7.4 mm Tri-point screws securing the battery to the upper case.

Step 6

  • Carefully peel the battery warning label rounded end (the one without glue) off the upper case between the battery and the optical drive to reveal an additional Tri-point screw.
  • Remove the last 7.4 mm Y0 Tri-point screw securing the battery to the upper case.
  • Do not remove the label from the battery.

Carefully peel the battery warning label rounded end (the one without glue) off the upper case between the battery and the optical drive to reveal an additional Tri-point screw.

Remove the last 7.4 mm Y0 Tri-point screw securing the battery to the upper case.

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.

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

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

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

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

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                    Andrew Optimus Goldheart

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sabat - Apr 24, 2016

Reply

MAJOR WARNING: this will probably NOT WORK. Sure, you can replace the battery easily enough. But there are MANY reports of Mac OS X not recognizing the new battery, no matter what you do. In my case I’ve had to put the old, swollen battery back. When I try to use the new one, it installs and connects perfectly, but Mac OS X spends all its time trying to find the battery. The laptop is practically useless because the system resources are consumed with trying to find the battery that it cannot see. Word to the wise—think 3 times before you try this.

Derek Sava - Mar 7, 2017

Christoph Murauer - Apr 30, 2016

Reply

Works as it should. No problems with the new battery. The only thing which is different is, that in my MacBook Pro mid 2012 are Phillipps #000 and Y0 Tri Wing screws instead the above listet.

reyromero - Oct 17, 2016

Reply

After replacing the battery with one from here a few weeks ago, it now says condition: replace now. battery wont last as it’s supposed

juanluks - Jan 9, 2017

Reply

Will it work without a battery installed?