Difficulty

Easy

Steps

7

Time Required

                          5 - 10 minutes

Sections

2

  • Lower Case
  • 2 steps
  • Battery
  • 5 steps

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0

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Lower Case
  • Remove the eight 4 mm Phillips screws securing the lower case to the MacBook.

Remove the eight 4 mm Phillips screws securing the lower case to the MacBook.

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Step 2

  • The lower case is constructed of rubber-coated aluminum. Do not excessively bend the aluminum during removal, as any permanent deformation will cause tolerance issues after reassembly.
  • Slightly lift the lower case near the vent opening.
  • Continue running your fingers between the lower and upper cases until the upper case pops off its retaining clips.
  • The location of these three clips is shown in the third picture.

The lower case is constructed of rubber-coated aluminum. Do not excessively bend the aluminum during removal, as any permanent deformation will cause tolerance issues after reassembly.

Slightly lift the lower case near the vent opening.

Continue running your fingers between the lower and upper cases until the upper case pops off its retaining clips.

The location of these three clips is shown in the third picture.

Step 3

              Battery
  • Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the battery connector up out of its socket on the logic board.
  • It may be easier to use your fingernails to lift up on both sides of the connector.

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the battery connector up out of its socket on the logic board.

It may be easier to use your fingernails to lift up on both sides of the connector.

Step 4

  • Remove two 5 mm Tri-point screws securing the battery to the upper case.

Remove two 5 mm Tri-point screws securing the battery to the upper case.

Step 5

  • Use the tip of a spudger to carefully peel back the finger of the warning label to reveal a hidden Tri-point screw.
  • Remove the 5 mm Tri-point screw securing the battery to the upper case.

Use the tip of a spudger to carefully peel back the finger of the warning label to reveal a hidden Tri-point screw.

Remove the 5 mm Tri-point screw securing the battery to the upper case.

Step 6

  • Remove three 3.1 mm Phillips screws securing the battery near the edge of the upper case.
  • When reinstalling the battery, be sure to install these three screws before proceeding to fasten the Tri-point screws.

Remove three 3.1 mm Phillips screws securing the battery near the edge of the upper case.

When reinstalling the battery, be sure to install these three screws before proceeding to fasten the Tri-point screws.

Step 7

  • Use the battery’s plastic pull tab to lift and 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 battery’s plastic pull tab to lift and 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.

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                    Walter Galan

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aknewhope - Sep 24, 2010

Reply

what size is the tri-wing screwdriver used in this guide(0,1,2,3,4,5?)

Peterdk - Jun 11, 2013

I bought a tri wing y1 from Wera, but it was way to big…. I guess I’ll buy the ifixit bit set, but otherwise I would try y0.

–edit– Looking at the photo’s here of the tri-wing screws, it more looks like my macbook has different screws. Mine are black and as large as the other normal screws.

Looks like the 2010 version has y0 somehow.

Sebastian Koch - Feb 17, 2012

Reply

I just replaced the battery on my late 2009 mac and thanks to this and all the other detailed guides it was actually quite simple (save for those cursed tri-wings). Don’t feed apple with money you can spend on better things. A battery-removel isn’t one of them.

tech - Apr 2, 2013

Reply

For those that have questions about the size of the bit, every article starts with “Tools”. The tri-wing is size Y1 as the guide says. 5mm is the length of the screw itself, not the size of the bit.

Just replaced a battery myself. The replacement battery (from an ebay seller) is supposed to be genuine, but was missing the “Warning, do not remove the battery” sticker and the “Do not throw in the trash” sticker, and the main sticker was glossy with air bubbles. Not sure if fake or not. But have been working great this first night.

This guide was spot on. Followed every step, and used the iFixit kit when doing the repair.

bobleigh - Apr 15, 2013

Reply

I just replaced the battery, using a battery and tools from iFixit, and the guide was perfect. Many thanks!