MacBook Pro Battery Replacement Cost

Last Updated on December 27, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

All rechargeable batteries have a limited lifespan and may eventually need to be repaired or recycled. Your battery life varies depending on how you use your device and the settings you choose for it.

If you need to charge your battery more and more often, it’s probably time to take it to a service center. For products with built-in polymer lithium-ion batteries, the batteries should be serviced by Apple or an authorized service provider.

How much does it cost to replace a MacBook Pro battery?

Your battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity after 1000 full charge cycles. The 1-year warranty includes replacement insurance for a defective battery. Apple offers a battery replacement service for all MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro notebooks with built-in batteries. Prices and conditions may vary.

The cost to replace a MacBook Pro battery would be anywhere between $65 and $210, depending on whether you choose a local store or an Apple Store. However, the most reliable option will always be an Apple store.

Also, this cost will be affected by factors such as the MacBook model you own, the condition of the battery, the service center, and the warranty. In the table below you will find the average costs of different types of MacBook battery replacements.

Besides these different types of battery replacement, there is another important factor that affects the cost and this is the model of the MacBook Pro, as you can see in the table below:

Note: These price estimates are available only in the Apple stores and at the local computer repair stores; the prices will depend on the type of battery used by the technicians.

In case you don’t have any warranty on your MacBook Pro model, you should consider the costs presented in the table below:

How to check if you must change your MacBook Pro battery or not?

The first thing you have to do before changing the MacBook Pro battery is to check its condition. The device will offer a clear image of the battery and will let you take the right decision regarding the replacement. In order to know if your MacBook’s battery has to be replaced, follow the next steps:

• Press on the options key;
• Go with the cursor at the right top corner of the MacBook Pro screen and click on the battery percentage icon in the menu bar;
• this will show the battery status, as well as pointers like service, replace, replace soon, or normal.

How to check your MacBook battery condition?

Whether you bought a refurbished MacBook or tried to get everything out of your aging MacBook, it’s a good idea to check the overall health of your battery. MacOS includes a tool that tells you your potential capacity and whether you should replace it.

You might also like our articles about the cost of an iMac, a water-damaged laptop reparation, or the price of a hard drive.

To view the battery health report, click the battery icon in the menu bar and select Battery Preferences. Then make sure the Battery tab on the left side of the window is selected and click Battery Status. A window will appear with the current status and maximum capacity. If you have questions or want to learn more about what the status means, click Learn More to open an Apple support page specific to your MacBook processor (Intel or Apple Silicon).

For those who want more information about their MacBook’s battery history, you can check the number of charge cycles the battery has gone through. Click on the Apple Icon in the upper left corner and then hold down the Choose button on the keyboard, and click on System Information. The System Information application will open, where you can then enter the file power section and then look for health information. There you can see the health, capacity level, and the number of battery cycles. For reference, see Apple’s chart of expected battery cycles. Most newer MacBook batteries have an expected lifespan of 1,000 charge cycles, after which Apple suggests you replace the battery.

Here are the possible battery condition statuses and what is suggest in each particular situation.

Ways to replace a MacBook Pro battery

As we already mentioned in the beginning, the MacBook Pro battery replacement cost depends mainly on the replacement service you choose. You can choose between four different ways to replace your MacBook Pro battery. Though, the most recommended and fastest way to do it is in an Apple store.

1. Replacing the battery on your own by fulfilling the replacement requirements alone;
2. Replacing the MacBook battery with the help of Apple’s one-year warranty service;
3. For saving a few dollars, you can replace the battery in a local computer repair shop;
4. Take the battery to the nearest Apple Store to replace it.

Types of batteries used in a MacBook Pro

The MacBook Pro models use two types of batteries, non-removable and removable.

The newer models, which were released in mid-2009, use non-removable batteries glued to the frame.

The MacBook Pro models, which appear before mid-2009, use removable batteries. These types of batteries don’t have Retina displays.

FAQs

It is worth replacing my MacBook Pro battery?

Definitely, it is a lot cheaper to replace a MacBook Pro battery instead of purchasing a brand-new MacBook Pro. However, if the MacBook is old enough to replace, or if you are concerned about how well it would work after replacing the battery, you should buy a new MacBook Pro.

For a lengthier lifespan, a MacBook Pro battery needs proper servicing and calibrating. You have to replace it when is running out of life and there are available other replaceable signs.

However, on an older MacBook model, you may find other problems with the processor, touch bar, or screen. So, you will not solve all of these problems only by replacing the battery and in this case, you should consider purchasing a new MacBook.

How long does a MacBook Pro battery last?

The lifespan of a MacBook pro battery is around four to five years. Throughout the years the performance of the battery will change. If a brand-new MacBook Pro battery will run for six to seven hours, for a used one the time will be reduced to even one hour.

How to increase the lifespan of a MacBook Pro battery?

The main reason battery calibration is important in the MacBook is to extend battery life. The battery will thus use all its available capacity to store the electrical voltage. Another undeniable reason is that after calibration, the battery indicator will be much more accurate.

So how does it calibrate?

1. Charge the battery to 100%

Even after charging the battery to 100%, we recommend leaving the charger connected for at least 2 more hours.

2. Discharge the battery to 0%

Discharge the battery as much as possible. Your MacBook will notify you that it will shut down soon. But ignore the message and let it go black completely. Leave the battery discharged for at least 20 minutes.

3. Recharge the battery back to 100%

Connect the charger and charge the battery to 100% again.

4. Battery calibration is complete.

What happens during battery calibration?

During this process, the full capacity of the battery is used. This allows the MacBook to better determine battery capacity and wear knowing its limits from full charge to full discharge.

How often should the MacBook battery be calibrated?

It is recommended to perform the battery calibration process once a month or at least once every six months. Also, the cases in which this procedure should be performed are when replacing the battery in the MacBook or when the device is new.