MBP Mid 2015 - Battery Cell Swelling

[ArmCortexA8]

Hi all

My trusty old Macbook Pro 16" Mid 2015 has been working perfectly with no internal hardware issues, however noticed battery run-time was dropping even when not in use. I had a quick look under the base plate and discovered all battery cells were swelling - keep in mind this battery was last replaced in 2019. Apple confirmed battery swelling and have authorised Apple to replace new genuine battery and top case replacement including labour for the replacement cost of AU$409.

Now considering the Macbook Pro itself is approaching 8 years old and has no other hardware faults, the repair cost is a bargain to me, especially since the whole top case is replaced (not just the battery itself). Oddly enough the OS indicates the battery condition is normal, however Apple's testing has confirmed the current battery is not providing enough power to the connection ports, so the battery has to be replaced.

UPDATE: Paid a grand total of AU$409 at he Apple store for a brand new top case / battery / trackpad / keyboard and it looks and works as good as new. I was told originally the repair would take two weeks, however it was complete in two days. An equivalent to the MBP configuration I have would set me back around AU$7,000 as this is the 16" model, not the smaller model. So $AU409 is an absolute bargain for the new battery and top case let alone transferring all the guts from one to another.

 

[Fishrrman]

You don't want to keep using it with a swollen battery -- that's a fire or explosion hazard.

So... looks like you have a decision to make.
You could...
- Have the battery replaced by Apple (when I say "by Apple" I mean at an actual Apple Store -- NOT by a "3rd-party provider", who might use a non-Apple battery)
or
- Have a 3rd-party repair shop replace it
or
- Replace it yourself (but again, you'll have to use a 3rd-party battery, Apple probably won't sell you one -- although their repair policies might have changed)
or
- Look for a replacement Mac.

Decision time...
(MacBook Pros have come a long way since 2015... and I owned a MBP 13" from that year)

 

[paardenkapper]

I'm surprised Apple is even offering the repair and hasn't marked the 2015 MBP as vintage.
If you're ready to pay Apple $400 go ahead.

Just keep in mind that after 10 years the soldered RAM and SSD might get faulty as well. Maybe it's time to upgrade?

 

[sotosoul]

I'm still rocking a MBP 15" late 2013. I've changed the battery two times, once in 2019 at Apple after intense swelling, cost about €500. Then again, around 2023 only this time I bought a 3rd party battery and replaced it myself, which wasn't too bad — I used the ifixit guide. However, the 3rd party battery was faulty (now has 60% capacity after only 120 cycles -- but remains stable at 60%) and is now up for replacement once again.

My point is, it's likely your computer has still some life in it. If you agree that it's still usable, don't go to Apple, it's simply not worth it. Buy a battery and replace it yourself. Even if you get a reduced capacity cell, it should be good enough for such a laptop.

 

[Aoligei]

I just replaced the battery on the 15" late 2013 MacBook Pro with third party battery. I am using my 2013 MacBook Pro as desktop replacement and not main machine, I don't feel spending lots of money for repairs.

It isn't too hard actually, you will need 99% isopropyl alcohol and some preying tools. Use a syringe to inject alcohol underneath the battery, wait for couple minutes. Use a dental floss and get underneath the battery, pull the floss from top to bottom to loss the adhesive more. Then just use preying tool to prey the battery. If you use enough alcohol and give enough time, you shouldn't have problem take out battery.

 

[jlc1978]

Not a bad price if the machine meets your needs vs buying a replacement, IMHO; especially since you get an Apple battery and new top case.

 

[organicCPU]

- Have the battery replaced by Apple (when I say "by Apple" I mean at an actual Apple Store -- NOT by a "3rd-party provider", who might use a non-Apple battery)

My MBP 2015 15" needed two battery replacements because of a swollen battery, so far. First time was 2019 and second 2023. The authorized Apple Service Provider told me, that there will probably be no more exchange possible, because they always exchange the whole top case including the battery and Apple doesn't provide that part anymore in the forthcoming future.
However, there are (non Apple certified) third party repair shops, that can exchange just the battery.

 

[Madhatter32]

You don't want to keep using it with a swollen battery -- that's a fire or explosion hazard.

So... looks like you have a decision to make.
You could...
- Have the battery replaced by Apple (when I say "by Apple" I mean at an actual Apple Store -- NOT by a "3rd-party provider", who might use a non-Apple battery)
or
- Have a 3rd-party repair shop replace it
or
- Replace it yourself (but again, you'll have to use a 3rd-party battery, Apple probably won't sell you one -- although their repair policies might have changed)
or
- Look for a replacement Mac.

Decision time...
(MacBook Pros have come a long way since 2015... and I owned a MBP 13" from that year)

I agree that battery replacement is necessary but there's a minuscule fire or explosion risk in reality. The biggest risk is that the swollen battery will cause damage to other components in the laptop and data loss.

 

[Nixir]

If the MacBook does everything for you replacing the battery is absolutely worth it! My old 2015 mbp15 has also gone through a battery replacement after about 5 years, it came back looking brand new since Apple replaces the top case and cleans the machine inside out.

I've only upgraded to an M series mbp a couple of year ago after Apple stopped Xcode update for the old one

The old mbp is now servicing all of my parents' computing needs, while connected to a 32 inch 4K monitor. And for what they use it for (browsing with Firefox and very minimal office usage) it feels absolutely no different than my M2 Max.

 

[ArmCortexA8]

You don't want to keep using it with a swollen battery -- that's a fire or explosion hazard.

So... looks like you have a decision to make.
You could...
- Have the battery replaced by Apple (when I say "by Apple" I mean at an actual Apple Store -- NOT by a "3rd-party provider", who might use a non-Apple battery)
or
- Have a 3rd-party repair shop replace it
or
- Replace it yourself (but again, you'll have to use a 3rd-party battery, Apple probably won't sell you one -- although their repair policies might have changed)
or
- Look for a replacement Mac.

Decision time...
(MacBook Pros have come a long way since 2015... and I owned a MBP 13" from that year)

I knew hence why I stopped using it as soon as i saw the issue by removing the bottom plate - I simply re-attached the bottom plate and booked it it. The Apple store completed the whole top case replacement in just on two days.

 

[ArmCortexA8]

I'm surprised Apple is even offering the repair and hasn't marked the 2015 MBP as vintage.
If you're ready to pay Apple $400 go ahead.

Just keep in mind that after 10 years the soldered RAM and SSD might get faulty as well. Maybe it's time to upgrade?

I was suprised too but after it was inspected at the Apple store they advised the parts are available and a new top case / battery / track pad / keyboard all for only AU$409 is an absolute bargain in my mind considering the labour alone and the age of the Macbook Pro - im still in shock it was so cheap. So far the RAM / SSD have no issues and a similarly spec'd Macbook Pro would cost me around AU$7,000.

 

[ArmCortexA8]

I'm still rocking a MBP 15" late 2013. I've changed the battery two times, once in 2019 at Apple after intense swelling, cost about €500. Then again, around 2023 only this time I bought a 3rd party battery and replaced it myself, which wasn't too bad — I used the ifixit guide. However, the 3rd party battery was faulty (now has 60% capacity after only 120 cycles -- but remains stable at 60%) and is now up for replacement once again.

My point is, it's likely your computer has still some life in it. If you agree that it's still usable, don't go to Apple, it's simply not worth it. Buy a battery and replace it yourself. Even if you get a reduced capacity cell, it should be good enough for such a laptop.

Got the repair done at the Apple store - whole new top case in including battery / trackpad / keyboard / all repaired under two days for AU$409. A similarly spec'd machine would set me back around AU$7,000.

 

[ArmCortexA8]

I just replaced the battery on the 15" late 2013 MacBook Pro with third party battery. I am using my 2013 MacBook Pro as desktop replacement and not main machine, I don't feel spending lots of money for repairs.

It isn't too hard actually, you will need 99% isopropyl alcohol and some preying tools. Use a syringe to inject alcohol underneath the battery, wait for couple minutes. Use a dental floss and get underneath the battery, pull the floss from top to bottom to loss the adhesive more. Then just use preying tool to prey the battery. If you use enough alcohol and give enough time, you shouldn't have problem take out battery.

I would never ever do a repair myself - the difficulty getting genuine OEM parts (I refuse to purchase 3rd party) plus the labour and time which I am not being paid for, would be financial suicide. For AU$409 Apple repaired with genuine parts and if anything goes wrong, Apple is liable not me.

 

[ArmCortexA8]

Not a bad price if the machine meets your needs vs buying a replacement, IMHO; especially since you get an Apple battery and new top case.

The Apple store did the whole repair in under two days - new top case including new battery / keyboard / trackpad and having to transfer all the hardware to the new case itself, means the repair cost of AU$409 is a bargain. A similarly spec'd Macbook Pro now would cost me around AU$7000.

 

[ArmCortexA8]

My MBP 2015 15" needed two battery replacements because of a swollen battery, so far. First time was 2019 and second 2023. The authorized Apple Service Provider told me, that there will probably be no more exchange possible, because they always exchange the whole top case including the battery and Apple doesn't provide that part anymore in the forthcoming future.
However, there are (non Apple certified) third party repair shops, that can exchange just the battery.

The Apple store did the repair in just under 2 days from drop off of the Macbook Pro - whole new top case / new batter / new trackpad / new keyboard plus transferring the hardware to the new shell - absolute bargain for AU$409. I never use third party repairers and never will - most AASP's in Australia have shut down so I go to the Apple Store which is not far from me.

 

[ArmCortexA8]

I agree that battery replacement is necessary but there's a minuscule fire or explosion risk in reality. The biggest risk is that the swollen battery will cause damage to other components in the laptop and data loss.

As soon as I noticed the bulge after I removed the bottom plate I turned it off and put it aside until I dropped it off at the Apple store locally - repair was completed in two days (was originally told 2 weeks). Looks brand new and all for only AU$409 whereas a similarly spec'd Macbook Pro would cost me around AU$7,000.

 

[ArmCortexA8]

If the MacBook does everything for you replacing the battery is absolutely worth it! My old 2015 mbp15 has also gone through a battery replacement after about 5 years, it came back looking brand new since Apple replaces the top case and cleans the machine inside out.

I've only upgraded to an M series mbp a couple of year ago after Apple stopped Xcode update for the old one

The old mbp is now servicing all of my parents' computing needs, while connected to a 32 inch 4K monitor. And for what they use it for (browsing with Firefox and very minimal office usage) it feels absolutely no different than my M2 Max.

Agreed, this MBP is used for general use - nothing intensive - love the 16" size despite the hardware being older and not being able to run the latest OS from Apple, however considering its over 8 years old and still works as new is a testament to Apple's design / quality - you would not get this from a Windows laptop especially if asking for a repair after 8 years.

 

[Mega ST]

Don't use or charge it with a swollen battery and store it at some firesafe place. Hopefully some repair store can recover your data. You might need a new computer.

 

[jlc1978]

The Apple store did the whole repair in under two days - new top case including new battery / keyboard / trackpad and having to transfer all the hardware to the new case itself, means the repair cost of AU$409 is a bargain. A similarly spec'd Macbook Pro now would cost me around AU$7000.

Glad it worked out for you.

 

[Aoligei]

I would never ever do a repair myself - the difficulty getting genuine OEM parts (I refuse to purchase 3rd party) plus the labour and time which I am not being paid for, would be financial suicide. For AU$409 Apple repaired with genuine parts and if anything goes wrong, Apple is liable not me.

Sure.

I have been replacing battery on MacBook Pros, iPhones, Google Pixel phones and never has once battery explode on me.

I have late 2013 MacBook Pro which the system does not recognize battery at all. I have three choice: either go with third party parts (as Apple does not even service this laptop anymore), running it as desktop while CPU is limited to 0.8GHz, or trash the laptop. I think the choice is apparent.

To me, the money that I saved from replacing repair by myself is the labor and time. The battery I brought from Amazon, costed me $92AU plus $4.5 isopropyl alcohol. The whole battery replacement took me an hour. I consider $300AU saved is my hourly wage for myself. Tell me which job offers $300AU an hour.

 

[Aoligei]

The Apple store did the repair in just under 2 days from drop off of the Macbook Pro - whole new top case / new batter / new trackpad / new keyboard plus transferring the hardware to the new shell - absolute bargain for AU$409. I never use third party repairers and never will - most AASP's in Australia have shut down so I go to the Apple Store which is not far from me.

I would consider new top case/ new trackpad/ new keyboard is waste of money when old part still works as it intended.

The resell value for 2015 MacBook Pro is way less than what Apple charges, it makes zero sense to spend AU$409 for a battery replacement.

 

[Aoligei]

Agreed, this MBP is used for general use - nothing intensive - love the 16" size despite the hardware being older and not being able to run the latest OS from Apple, however considering its over 8 years old and still works as new is a testament to Apple's design / quality - you would not get this from a Windows laptop especially if asking for a repair after 8 years.

I have an Lenovo laptop which I purchased back in 2011 with first generation Intel Core i5 processor, it still runs Windows 10 and parts are standard off-the-shelf parts.

My ThinkPad which connected with my TV is also from this era.

You give too much credit to Apple.

 

[jlc1978]

I would consider new top case/ new trackpad/ new keyboard is waste of money when old part still works as it intended.

Maybe, but that is what Apple does in a repair.

The resell value for 2015 MacBook Pro is way less than what Apple charges, it makes zero sense to spend AU$409 for a battery replacement.

The value depends on the individual use case.

If it's just a backup then maybe a cheap 3rd party battery is fine becasue if it fails it's no big deal.

If the device is mission critical, having Apple do itto ensure all the parts are original and teh repair is done right, then it is money well spent; and cheaper than buying a new one since the existing one meets the user's needs. Spend 400 vs say 3000 is a good tradeoff in that scenario, especially since it's not to sell the machine but to continue with it in use.

Value for cost is a very individual decision.

 

[Aoligei]

Maybe, but that is what Apple does in a repair.

The value depends on the individual use case.

If it's just a backup then maybe a cheap 3rd party battery is fine becasue if it fails it's no big deal.

If the device is mission critical, having Apple do itto ensure all the parts are original and teh repair is done right, then it is money well spent; and cheaper than buying a new one since the existing one meets the user's needs. Spend 400 vs say 3000 is a good tradeoff in that scenario, especially since it's not to sell the machine but to continue with it in use.

Value for cost is a very individual decision.

It is battery, not some high-tech that requires precision to get things done right.

The risk of explosion on a battery is very low and even first party battery have chance to explode. We are talking about replacing battery on a decade old laptop, even if it is mission critical, it is not worth $400 for a new battery replacement.

Spending $400 to replace a battery on a decade old laptop, where you can probably buy a 2018 or 2019 MacBook Pro with better performance is not a smart choice. Heck an M1 MacBook Air can be brought around $600ish.

 

[jlc1978]

It is battery, not some high-tech that requires precision to get things done right.

The risk of explosion on a battery is very low and even first party battery have chance to explode.

Where did I say anything about explosion? It’s a question of known vs questionable quality.

We are talking about replacing battery on a decade old laptop, even if it is mission critical, it is not worth $400 for a new battery replacement.

To you. Others have a different view of the value.

Spending $400 to replace a battery on a decade old laptop, where you can probably buy a 2018 or 2019 MacBook Pro with better performance is not a smart choice.

Not if you don’t need the extra performance; and thus there is no reason to spend a $200 or more over battery replacement. It’s the OP’s money and the OP’s choice is what is the right choice.

Heck an M1 MacBook Air can be brought around $600ish.

Not with a 16 inch screen.