How long does Apple support MacBook battery replacements (Vintage vs. Obsolete)

[BeatCrazy]

So I just got a 12,1 MacBook Pro 2015 13" for cheap on eBay. Works great, looks great, and battery health is calculated at 88% with 399 cycles. However, I do know that at the age of this (original) battery, the health can often plummet in a non-linear fashion.

Although I don't mind cracking open Macs/MacBooks, replacing the battery myself on these types of units is just not worth the hassle or $$ savings. I'd rather pay the extra $50 to save myself the time and headache. I think Apple charges a fixed $199 for battery replacement? Assuming the 12,1 goes Vintage this year with the release of macOS 13, does Apple still offer battery replacement? Do they only stop when it goes obsolete? I prefer going with Apple directly vs. third party/after-market.

I'd like to time the battery replacement to allow for Apple to do it, as by the time the future/replacement battery is worn, I'll be ready to recycle the MacBook (hopefully 5+ years from now).

 

[jav6454]

If the battery is in stock, all products are supported for battery swaps regardless of vintage or obsolete status.

 

[BeatCrazy]

If the battery is in stock, all products are supported for battery swaps regardless of vintage or obsolete status.

Interesting. But surely there must be some precedence for stock availability dropping sharply after vintage or obsolete. Although I obviously don't know where batteries fall into that cutoff.

 

[jav6454]

The precedence is if they have it in stock, they'll do the swap.

 

[NoBoMac]

@jav6454 is correct.

Lots of ins and outs, depending on country, but still boils down to availability for batteries after five years from product being dropped from sales.

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

 

[BeatCrazy]

@jav6454 is correct.

Lots of ins and outs, depending on country, but still boils down to availability for batteries after five years from product being dropped from sales.

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

Ouch 5 years! My MBP 12,1 shows a discontinue date of June 5, 2017, so I guess I better make a decision soon.

 

[jav6454]

Ouch 5 years! My MBP 12,1 shows a discontinue date of June 5, 2017, so I guess I better make a decision soon.

You'll likely find one in an Authorized Seller or local Apple Store. However, do note that several batteries share same designs, pin outs and other features with several recent Macs. This means you'll likely find one.

 

[canuckRus]

Good luck. Move soon. Have an rMacBook12" (2017) and can't find battery service Toronto area. No longer an item listed under MacSupport.

 

[BeatCrazy]

Good luck. Move soon. Have an rMacBook (2017) and can't find battery service Toronto area.

Ironically, I also have a 2017 12" MacBook that I took into my local Apple Store for the keyboard replacement program. They ran a diagnostic (standard practice) and noted that my battery health was failing. I already knew this. Interestingly, when you get the top case/keyboard replaced for the 12" MacBook, you don't get the battery as part of it... unlike the 2016-2019 MacBook Pro models.

So, I went ahead and have them order a battery replacement ($199) for my 2017 12" MacBook that they'll install when they replace the keyboard.

 

[canuckRus]

Ironically, I also have a 2017 12" MacBook that I took into my local Apple Store for the keyboard replacement program. They ran a diagnostic (standard practice) and noted that my battery health was failing. I already knew this. Interestingly, when you get the top case/keyboard replaced for the 12" MacBook, you don't get the battery as part of it... unlike the 2016-2019 MacBook Pro models.

So, I went ahead and have them order a battery replacement ($199) for my 2017 12" MacBook that they'll install when they replace the keyboard.

Interesting. I no longer see rMacBooks even listed under MacSupport here. Some US areas offer such though I notice.

MacBook