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Does Apple still replace the battery on a 2015 MacBook Pro

M

Mac_Andrew

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jun 21, 2021
15
2
Hey everyone, my apologies if this question has been asked before.
I need to service my 13 inch 2015 MacBook Pro. The computer is working fine, although I need to service the battery since its nearly 7 years old. Does Apple still service this machine or should I look for a 3rd party repair? :)
 
Hey, I was able to replace a battery in my 15" MBP 2015 in Germany at an official Apple Service partner in May 22, so the official batteries are still there.

What has negatively surprised me though: The service informed me, Apple does not supply only batteries and therefore a whole unibody case with the keyboard (bottom lid not included) must be replaced all together… Not only I had to pay 150€ for that, I also didn’t even need a new body for the laptop, 5 years later it was still in a great condition. Not to mention that from the environmental side this is totally unfair to do if I try to keep using a long lasting quality device.

Had done it anyways though, maybe you will be able to get a more reasonable option from Apple! ;)
 
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Ilzen&Mac said:
Hey, I was able to replace a battery in my 15" MBP 2015 in Germany at an official Apple Service partner in May 22, so the official batteries are still there.

What has negatively surprised me though: The service informed me, Apple does not supply only batteries and therefore a whole unibody case with the keyboard (bottom lid not included) must be replaced all together… Not only I had to pay 150€ for that, I also didn’t even need a new body for the laptop, 5 years later it was still in a great condition. Not to mention that from the environmental side this is totally unfair to do if I try to keep using a long lasting quality device.

Had done it anyways though, maybe you will be able to get a more reasonable option from Apple! ;)
Click to expand...

Pretty sure that’s standard for getting the battery replaced, they can’t just replace the battery.
 
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kitKAC said:
Pretty sure that’s standard for getting the battery replaced, they can’t just replace the battery.
Click to expand...

I've seen the iFix it tutorials but since the battery is glued to the case I'm not risking it... Ideally I want an original Apple battery not a gimmick that's gonna fail on me after less than a year, or one that will swell and break the top case. :/
 
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OP:

You didn't say where in the world you are.

In the USA, Apple will replace the battery for $199 -- IF they still have replacement batteries for the 2015 in-stock.

Do you have a brick-n-mortar Apple Store anywhere close?
NOT a "3rd-party provider" -- I mean a REAL "Apple Store".

If so, make an appt with the genius bar RIGHT AWAY and take it to them.
Let them have a look at it and see if it qualifies for the $199 replacement.
For that price, you get:
- a new, Apple-labeled battery
- installation
- a short warranty.

You're not going to find a better deal than that.

If you DON'T have an Apple Store near, you might give Apple a call anyway.
They might be willing to send you a prepaid shipping box.
You ship it to them -- they repair it -- then they return it to you.
 
They Will. I just went thru this. $199. I was first told that part of the case would be replaced
and then told it would NOT be... that they'd replace just the battery. This at an Apple Store in California.
Unfortunately for me, I bought that used from MacSales - great place BTW. I refused to buy one of their butterfly keyboards at the time on a newer model
I opted to upgrade the SSD to 1TB..

Apple refused to actually replace the battery because the SSD had been replaced and not by Apple.
I knew of their policy but forgot that the SSD had been replaced.
The SSD had no connection to the battery issue. But they still refused.
 
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Fishrrman said:
OP:

You didn't say where in the world you are.

In the USA, Apple will replace the battery for $199 -- IF they still have replacement batteries for the 2015 in-stock.

Do you have a brick-n-mortar Apple Store anywhere close?
NOT a "3rd-party provider" -- I mean a REAL "Apple Store".

If so, make an appt with the genius bar RIGHT AWAY and take it to them.
Let them have a look at it and see if it qualifies for the $199 replacement.
For that price, you get:
- a new, Apple-labeled battery
- installation
- a short warranty.

You're not going to find a better deal than that.

If you DON'T have an Apple Store near, you might give Apple a call anyway.
They might be willing to send you a prepaid shipping box.
You ship it to them -- they repair it -- then they return it to you.
Click to expand...
Oh sorry I'm based in London, UK :)
 
kdanielps said:
They Will. I just went thru this. $199. I was first told that part of the case would be replaced
and then told it would NOT be... that they'd replace just the battery. This at an Apple Store in California.
Unfortunately for me, I bought that used from MacSales - great place BTW. I refused to buy one of their butterfly keyboards at the time on a newer model
I opted to upgrade the SSD to 1TB..

Apple refused to actually replace the battery because the SSD had been replaced and not by Apple.
I knew of their policy but forgot that the SSD had been replaced.
The SSD had no connection to the battery issue. But they still refused.
Click to expand...
Oh no! I replaced the stock SSD with a Samsung one.... 🤦‍♂️ will I have any problems?
 

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Learn about your options for getting service and parts for Apple devices that are past their warranty period.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

Interesting that this support article doesn't cover the 2015 MacBook Pro 15. It does cover the 13 as vintage though. The 2014s are obsolete.

Best thing to do would be to call a local store and talk to a person and ask them, and also ask them if they have the battery in stock.
 
pshufd said:

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Learn about your options for getting service and parts for Apple devices that are past their warranty period.
support.apple.com support.apple.com

Interesting that this support article doesn't cover the 2015 MacBook Pro 15. It does cover the 13 as vintage though. The 2014s are obsolete.

Best thing to do would be to call a local store and talk to a person and ask them, and also ask them if they have the battery in stock.
Click to expand...
Vintage is 5 years since last distributed by Apple, obsolete is 7 years since last distributed by Apple. The 15" 2015 MBP was sold by Apple up to mid 2018, which is less than 5 years ago.

In any case, battery replacement is 10 years since distributed for sale (provided parts are available):

Screen Shot 2022-12-24 at 9.19.41 PM.png
 
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kdanielps said:
They Will. I just went thru this. $199. I was first told that part of the case would be replaced
and then told it would NOT be... that they'd replace just the battery. This at an Apple Store in California.
Unfortunately for me, I bought that used from MacSales - great place BTW. I refused to buy one of their butterfly keyboards at the time on a newer model
I opted to upgrade the SSD to 1TB..

Apple refused to actually replace the battery because the SSD had been replaced and not by Apple.
I knew of their policy but forgot that the SSD had been replaced.
The SSD had no connection to the battery issue. But they still refused.
Click to expand...
Is this their policy - if you replace the SSD they won't service the battery?

daughter took laptop in for new battery and they said "other damage" and seem unwilling to replace just battery.
 
It's my understanding that if the battery is saying 'needs service' at least, then even if top case is part of the replacement, you should only be charged for the battery if the case is in acceptable condition.
 
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iMacDragon said:
It's my understanding that if the battery is saying 'needs service' at least, then even if top case is part of the replacement, you should only be charged for the battery if the case is in acceptable condition.
Click to expand...

...and they won't do it if you'd simply like it done?
(battery at 82% -- but hoping to get a fresh one before they raise the prices by $50 soon)
 
turbineseaplane said:
...and they won't do it if you'd simply like it done?
(battery at 82% -- but hoping to get a fresh one before they raise the prices by $50 soon)
Click to expand...
I think they can refuse to do it for the battery replacement only price if they deem it not necessary, but I think that comes to case by case basis.

Though that may just be devices that need a whole device swap like watches, but I have a recollection it could apply in general.
 
Last edited:
harleymhs said:
I had one replaced a few months ago from my local Apple Store. It was $425.00 ! Came with New Battery, New Track Pad & New Keyboard. They said thats the only way it comes.. Was worth it for me.
Click to expand...
Was this a battery saying needs service, or just a request to have it replaced in general?
 
harleymhs said:
I had one replaced a few months ago from my local Apple Store. It was $425.00 ! Came with New Battery, New Track Pad & New Keyboard. They said thats the only way it comes.. Was worth it for me.
Click to expand...

Oof

I love my 2015, but I'd honestly pass on most anything for it past that $199 battery replacement at this point.
 
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turbineseaplane said:
Oof

I love my 2015, but I'd honestly pass on most anything for it past that $199 battery replacement at this point.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't blame you, I actually replaced the battery myself with a third party one for about 80 euros in my old 2015, just to have an 'ok' battery in it. Honestly wasn't that bad to do, just have to be slow and careful.

But this was replacing a swollen battery, so it couldn't be shipped to apple for repair officially.
 
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Anyone remember what the advertised battery life was for the 2015's when new?

I sort of forget what should be expected

Mine has gone from 100% to 36% in 1:45 and I'm just browsing and using Apple Music on the couch

Trying to hang on for that rumored MBA 15" (I really hope that's a real thing)
 
turbineseaplane said:
Anyone remember what the advertised battery life was for the 2015's when new?

I sort of forget what should be expected

Mine has gone from 100% to 36% in 1:45 and I'm just browsing and using Apple Music on the couch
Click to expand...
Whatever it was I never got it, but check coconut battery to see how it compares currently to design capacity.
 
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iMacDragon said:
Whatever it was I never got it, but check coconut battery to see how it compares currently to design capacity.
Click to expand...

I was wrong earlier -- Coconut says 87% of design capacity
Sheesh -- Sucky

If I could pop an NVMe of my choice into an M1 or M2 MBA, I'd probably be on one already..
Hard to stomach up around 2 grand just to get 16gb/2TB, especially to get a screen size downgrade

(such a massive rip on upgrade pricing)
 
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