Key Takeaways

  • MacBook batteries typically last a few years before their capacity diminishes, so you may need to replace your battery even if your machine is in good condition.
  • You can check your MacBook's battery status to see if it's time for a replacement, paying attention to the Battery Health and Maximum Capacity indicators.
  • If your MacBook is still under warranty, Apple will replace a faulty or degraded battery for free. If not, you have options such as paying for an Apple battery replacement, going to a third-party repair shop, or replacing the battery yourself.

Even if your MacBook is mostly going strong, a battery replacement might be required after a few years if you want to keep using it for long periods off the charger. Here are your options for a MacBook battery replacement, how much it costs to replace your MacBook's battery, and how to know when it's time to do so.

Do You Need to Replace Your MacBook Battery?

While Apple makes reliable machines, current battery technology means that most cells only last a few years before their capacity seriously diminishes, especially with heavy use. This means that you may need to consider replacing your battery even if your machine is otherwise in pristine shape.

To get an idea, you should check your MacBook's battery status to see if it's time for a replacement. To do this, click the Apple menu at the top-left of your computer and choose System Settings, then select Battery on the left sidebar. Here, select the i icon to the right of the Battery Health row.

MacBook Battery Health Settings Pop-Up Menu

A resulting window will show either Normal or Service recommended for the Battery Condition field. If you see the former, everything is working properly with your battery. Service recommended doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong, but when this appears, your battery is holding less of a charge than it once did.

You'll also see the Maximum Capacity of your battery. 100% means it's performing as well as it did when it was brand-new. A lower percentage, like 80%, reflects how much of the original charge your battery can hold. For example, you might only get eight hours on a full charge, instead of 10.

You'll also see the Optimized Battery Charging option for your Mac here; this has your machine smartly wait to finish charging to 100% to reduce wear on the battery.

Note that Service recommended doesn't indicate potential harm—you can continue using your MacBook as normal regardless of whether you get the battery replaced.

How to Check the Battery Cycles on Your MacBook

For more info, you can also view the exact number of charge and discharge cycles your Mac's battery has gone through. To do this:

  1. Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen.
  2. Hold the Option key and select the System Information item that appears.
  3. Click Power on the left sidebar (under Hardware), then scroll down to the Health Information heading and locate Cycle Count.
Cycle Count in System Information

This number shows how many times your battery has gone from 100 percent to fully drained. It only represents full cycles, though. For example, if your battery dropped to 50 percent, then you charged it back to 100 percent and let it drain to 50 percent again, that would count as one cycle.

The cycle count should give you a good idea of how long your battery has before it will require replacement. Different MacBooks have varying ratings for cycle counts, so you'll need to cross-reference your result with the ratings on Apple's battery cycle support page. Almost every modern MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air is rated for 1,000 battery cycles.

Even if these numbers look healthy, you may have noticed your battery life has become significantly worse of late and decide that it's time for a replacement anyway. Use your judgment to weigh if the cost is worth it to you. Be sure you've followed the tips to improve battery life on your MacBook first, then move on to hardware replacement if those don't help.

Option 1: Replace Your MacBook Battery via Apple Warranty

Benefit: The service comes at no cost under applicable warranties, meaning it should be your first choice.

If your MacBook is still under warranty, Apple will replace a faulty or excessively degraded battery free of charge. In the US, Apple provides a limited one-year warranty. For those in the EU, consumer law extends this coverage to two years. If you purchased AppleCare for your MacBook, this coverage extends to three years.

Those who are still covered should contact Apple right away about any battery issues. You can check your warranty status on Apple's Check Coverage page using your machine's serial number. Find your serial number by clicking the Apple menu at the top-left of the screen and selecting About This Mac.

About This Mac window on macOS Ventura

Apple has also recalled some of its 15-inch MacBook Pro computers sold between September 2015 and February 2017. The company states that batteries in these units may overheat and catch on fire. If you have one of these models, you should get the battery replaced right away for your safety.

​​​​Head to the Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Recall page to enter your computer's serial number and see if you need a replacement. Keep in mind that you can check for recalls on your Apple products anytime.

If you don't have warranty coverage for a battery replacement, we'll look at the next-best MacBook battery replacement options, including their cost.

Option 2: Pay for an Apple MacBook Battery Replacement

Benefit: Your MacBook is guaranteed against defects resulting from the procedure. In addition, your replacement will be a genuine first-party product, and the work shouldn't take more than a day or so.

Apple recommends you use first-party or third-party authorized service centers to replace your MacBook battery. This is generally the most expensive option, but it's also the safest. The procedure is less likely to go wrong, and Apple provides a 90-day guarantee for any work performed.

Assuming the service isn't covered by warranty or consumer law, how much does a MacBook battery replacement cost? A typical MacBook battery replacement is $159 for a MacBook Air or $249 for a MacBook Pro. If you need to ship your device, that costs extra.

MacBook Air Battery Replacement Cost from Apple

If your MacBook is especially old, you may be better off putting that money toward a replacement instead. Look out for common signs that it's time to replace your Mac and don't pour money into an ancient machine.

To start your MacBook battery replacement with Apple, head to Apple's Mac Service and Repair website and click Start a service request. If there are no Apple stores nearby, the website will suggest authorized third parties who can perform the work instead. These technicians undergo the same training as Apple's, and provide the same guarantees.

Option 3: Replace Your MacBook Battery at a Computer Repair Shop

Benefits: You'll probably save some money, at the cost of not having an Apple-certified technician perform the repairs. Third parties may also use cheaper parts to reduce cost, meaning they're more likely to break early.

If you want to save some money, you could always pay a third-party computer repair company to replace your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro battery for you. Many repair shops will source and replace your battery, even if they're not affiliated with Apple. However, the exact cost of replacing your MacBook's battery in this way will vary based on who you approach.

MacBook logic board closeup
Image credit: David O'Brien/Flickr

Going this route forgoes Apple's guarantees, and you may find that the company uses third-party parts in an attempt to save money. These parts aren't necessarily inferior, but using non-Apple parts might result in lower performance or other issues in the future. Check out computer repair shops in your area for quotes on a MacBook battery replacement cost, then compare them to what Apple offers.

Depending on your MacBook model, your local repair shop may refuse service if the battery is glued in place—which is the case with all modern MacBook models. Unless you have a very old machine, Apple's official repair might be your only worthwhile option.

Option 4: Replace Your MacBook Battery Yourself

Benefits: By taking matters into your own hands, you'll save a lot of money—at the cost of your own time and the risk of something going wrong.

The cheapest option is ordering your own MacBook replacement battery and swapping it yourself. This means you'll only pay the cost of the parts (plus the time it takes you to perform the work). In addition to the new battery, you'll need a set of tools to open up your Mac, an anti-static wristband, and a method to safely dispose of your old battery.

The best option for this approach is using Apple's official self-repair kits. On Apple's self service repair store page, you can order genuine parts and access the instructions for the process. Enter your MacBook model or serial number and repair type to see what you can order. For my 2020 M1 MacBook Air, the battery itself costs about $140, but that doesn't include other parts you'll also need.

If you don't want to use Apple's official repair kits, another well-respected vendor in this space is iFixit. In addition to parts kits, it also provides text and video guides on everything from simple fixes to complex teardowns. For example, at the time of writing, you'll find a kit to replace a 16-inch MacBook Pro from 2019 for $139.99.

iFixit MacBook Battery Kit

Wherever you buy the parts from, you should only purchase from a that has a strong reputation for providing quality parts. You don't want to spend the time replacing your battery only to have it fail shortly after.

Be aware that replacing the battery in modern MacBook models is not a simple affair. Due to the glued-in batteries, the process takes some serious work. Attempt this at your own risk; it will require hours and disconnecting dozens of parts. If you're not sure what you're doing, the risks of something going wrong are high.

However, if you're happy to take the risk and follow how-to guides to the letter, you'll learn a lot about the inner workings of your computer. You might even enjoy the process!

Don't Forget to Recycle Batteries Responsibly

WEEE/Recycle

If you opt for a DIY MacBook battery replacement, make sure you recycle the spent battery responsibly.

Lithium batteries need to be recycled properly to prevent harm to yourself, others, and the environment. Check with your local waste management authorities how best to recycle your old laptop battery—don't just throw it in the trash or in with your regular recycling.

Most local governments will have dropoff points or collection schemes that emphasize safety and sustainability. If you choose to let Apple service your laptop, it will take care of the battery and recycle it for you (but unfortunately doesn't offer a drop-off service).

Is It Worth Replacing Your MacBook Battery?

Now that you know how to replace a MacBook's battery, you might wonder whether you actually should replace it. If your Mac is running well aside from the battery, paying a few hundred dollars for a replacement to get several more years of life from it is a lot cheaper than buying a new machine.

However, if your MacBook is old, it's probably not worth replacing the internal battery. You're better off putting that money towards a new Mac.