MacBook Battery Replacement: Costs and Considerations

Fix the MacBook you already have – and save money and the planet in the process.

• If your MacBook battery is dead, no worries, you can fix it with the information provided on this page.
• If you're unsure if your battery needs replacing, start with troubleshooting.
• If you're on the fence about doing the repair yourself, or wondering if it's even worth it, jump to the FAQ section and get more information (and motivation).

Find your MacBook model below and follow a step-by-step battery replacement guide. (Each guide will also link the corresponding fix kit with all the parts and tools needed to complete the guide.)

Yes, you can replace your MacBook battery yourself. iFixit provides free step-by-step repair guides for every MacBook and sells DIY Battery Fix Kits for MacBooks ranging from the 2010 MacBook Air 13", to the 2022 MacBook Pro 13" (M2). These kits include all the necessary tools and parts to replace your battery.

Battery replacements for most MacBook Pros released after 2011 are not simple. In 2012, Apple introduced its MacBook Pro Retina, a non-upgradable machine with a glued down battery. Battery replacements for these Pros through the 2020 models require a lot of caution and patience—but they're definitely doable with the right tools, instructions, and adhesive removal techniques.

Luckily, starting in 2021, MacBook Pro batteries are now held to the case with stretch-release adhesive pull tabs, something a regular person can remove without special tools or chemicals. The rest of the repair and disassembly process involves handling screws, connectors, clips, components, and cables, and is generally straightforward.

MacBook Air battery replacements are a lot easier compared to their Pro counterparts. Models released before 2018 featured batteries that could be replaced by removing the case, disconnecting the battery, and removing some screws.

Starting with the 2018 MacBook Air, the battery is now held by adhesive pull tabs. Still, repairs for MacBook Airs are straightforward and generally require the fixer to handle screws, connectors, cables, clips, and other internal components.

Using an iFixit kit to replace your MacBook Pro's battery can result in significant savings compared to Apple's out-of-warranty repair costs. iFixit's MacBook Pro Battery Fix Kits cost between $110 and $130, which is more than $100 cheaper than having Apple fix it.

^ Apple's shared estimates as of February 2025.

Replacing your MacBook Air's battery with an iFixit Fix Kit can save you $30 to $90 compared to Apple's out-of-warranty repair costs, depending on your model. iFixit's MacBook Air battery replacement kits average around $100, while kits for newer models like the 2020 M1 cost around $130.

^ Apple's shared estimates as of February 2025.

While the time investment can vary based on the MacBook model and your DIY experience, repairing your MacBook battery yourself is feasible. MacBook Pro repairs generally require more time and patience compared to MacBook Air repairs. Battery replacements should take you anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. If you get stuck, iFixit's community of fixers can help.

• How to Tell If Your MacBook Needs a New Battery
• Apple Finally Promises to Enable Third-Party Parts (Mostly)
• Apple’s Self-Repair Program Manages to Make MacBooks Seem Less Repairable
• Apple Just Made the First Retina MacBook Pro Obsolete. We Still Got You.
• WSJ Illustrates Need for Right to Repair with Two Busted MacBooks