Apple is making it significantly easier to replace the battery on the M5 MacBook Pro. Instead of removing or replacing multiple internal components, users can now swap out the battery directly.
Apple has updated its Self Service Repair program and official repair guides to reflect this change.
M5 MacBook Pro battery replacement becomes easier
When the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 debuted in October this year, iFixit’s teardown revealed some noticeable internal changes. Battery removal was easier, and it no longer required removing the trackpad or other major internal components.
Yet, Apple’s official self-service repair guide required users to remove the entire top case, keyboard, and other components. This made battery self-replacement unnecessarily complex for most users. Thankfully, that’s changing now, with Apple updating its repair guide to reflect this.
Going forward, replacing the battery of the 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 chip will no longer require removing other components. Instead, users now only need to remove the back cover, disconnect the battery, peel off the adhesive strips, and then pull the battery out.
You can find Apple’s detailed instructions, complete with handy GIFs and the required tools, on this support page. The updated replacement instructions are significantly easier than before.
While it’s still not something most users should attempt without experience, anyone with basic technical know-how could realistically carry out a battery replacement on their own.
Beyond self-repair enthusiasts, the updated guide will also benefit third-party repair shops that rely on Apple’s official documentation.
Battery replacement gets cheaper, too
Apple now even sells the replacement battery through its Self Service Repair Store for $209.25. And if you send in the old cell, you will get a $22.50 credit.
This approach is significantly cheaper. With previous MacBook Pros, Apple required users to replace the entire top case, including the keyboard and battery, which often cost $500 or more.
The upcoming M5 Pro and Max MacBook Pros and future MacBooks will also likely adopt a similar battery replacement process.
Rajesh has been closely following and writing about the latest happenings in the world of mobile for nearly a decade now. While he prefers Android, he does not deny the superiority of Apple’s products and ecosystem.
