Apple offers replacements for swollen 13-inch MacBook Pro batteries

Apple on Friday activated a new hardware replacement program targeting an issue that causes the internal battery of certain non-Touch Bar 13-inch MacBook Pro models to expand.

According to documentation provided by Apple, the new replacement program covers 13-inch MacBook Pro without Touch Bar models impacted by what appears to be a battery manufacturing flaw. The company is offering free battery replacements to customers with eligible hardware.

Apple narrowed the component flaw down to a batch of MacBook Pro units produced between October 2016 and October 2017, and subsequently sold throughout the world. The exact nature of the problem is left unmentioned, though battery expansion woes are nothing new for manufacturers companies relying on lithium-ion technology.

The program covers affected MacBook Pro models for five years after initial retail sale, suggesting the program will run into 2022. Apple says hardware warranties remain unaffected by the policy update.

A number of MacBook users have reported similar issues on Apple's Support Communities forum, with some complaints referencing 17-inch MacBook Pro models last sold in 2009.

Users who believe their 13-inch MacBook Pro suffers from the described swelling issue can check eligibility by plugging in their device serial number on Apple's dedicated replacement webpage. This information can be found by navigating to Apple (logo) > About This Mac or on the underside of the computer near its regulatory markings.

Eligible MacBook Pro units can be taken to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple retail store for replacement services. Alternatively, customers can mail their device to the Apple Repair Center. Those who have already paid for a battery replacement, and believe their machine falls within Apple's eligibility guidelines, are urged to contact customer service for reimbursement.

16 Comments

roundaboutnow 752 comments · 13 Years

About 6 years ago

Last year, I had a swollen battery on an older (early 2011) 13" MBP. I know it would not be eligible (and I have since traded it in anyway), but I wanted to mention this just as FYI:

My old 13" did not hold a charge, and I knew battery was getting old, but it was mostly being used on charger at a desk, so I was not worried about the battery issue initially.

The symptom that I ran into was that the trackpad stopped working--it wouldn't click anymore. I thought it might be a bad trackpad (hinge or something), but when I opened it up, I saw the swollen battery, which was pressing against the trackpad, preventing it from clicking. A new (3rd party) battery fixed it (and was actually fairly easy to do), but that was the sign that it was time to get a new one...

Ended up getting a non-touch bar 13", so its good to know about this warranty program, so I can keep an eye this one!

retrogusto 1138 comments · 16 Years

About 6 years ago

I had to replace a swollen MBP battery several years ago (with the same trackpad problem described above), and at the time the guy in the Apple store told me it was my fault for leaving the laptop plugged in after the battery was fully charged. I pointed out to him that all of the laptops in the store were also plugged in with charged batteries, but he stuck to his story. The replacement eventually swelled too, but fortunately these batteries were easily removable, so I just took it out and gave up on batteries for that one.

macxpress 5910 comments · 16 Years

About 6 years ago

retrogusto said:

I had to replace a swollen MBP battery several years ago (with the same trackpad problem described above), and at the time the guy in the Apple store told me it was my fault for leaving the laptop plugged in after the battery was fully charged. I pointed out to him that all of the laptops in the store were also plugged in with charged batteries, but he stuck to his story. The replacement eventually swelled too, but fortunately these batteries were easily removable, so I just took it out and gave up on batteries for that one.

Hahaha...I guess the guy has never heard of a "trickle charge" to keep the battery charged while plugged in. I hope he doesn't work there anymore.

ihatescreennames 1971 comments · 19 Years

About 6 years ago

retrogusto said:

I had to replace a swollen MBP battery several years ago (with the same trackpad problem described above), and at the time the guy in the Apple store told me it was my fault for leaving the laptop plugged in after the battery was fully charged. I pointed out to him that all of the laptops in the store were also plugged in with charged batteries, but he stuck to his story. The replacement eventually swelled too, but fortunately these batteries were easily removable, so I just took it out and gave up on batteries for that one.

Leaving the MBP plugged in to power continuously can wear the battery out in a fairly short time (I mean that in the sense of someone who uses their MBP as if it were a desktop computer so it just sits there for a couple of years, plugged in). That won’t necessarily cause the battery to swell but can result in a battery that just won’t hold a charge. However, over-charging is one reason why batteries swell so perhaps the guy at the Apple Store was just confusing the two.

Side note: if you have a MBP that has a swollen battery AND that battery caused additional damage, like breaking the trackpad and/or the top case it isn’t uncommon (though not guaranteed) for Apple to replace the trackpad and top case at no charge when you pay to replace the battery.

seanismorris 1624 comments · 8 Years

About 6 years ago

ihatescreennames said:

retrogusto said:

I had to replace a swollen MBP battery several years ago (with the same trackpad problem described above), and at the time the guy in the Apple store told me it was my fault for leaving the laptop plugged in after the battery was fully charged. I pointed out to him that all of the laptops in the store were also plugged in with charged batteries, but he stuck to his story. The replacement eventually swelled too, but fortunately these batteries were easily removable, so I just took it out and gave up on batteries for that one.

Leaving the MBP plugged in to power continuously can wear the battery out in a fairly short time (I mean that in the sense of someone who uses their MBP as if it were a desktop computer so it just sits there for a couple of years, plugged in). That won’t necessarily cause the battery to swell but can result in a battery that just won’t hold a charge. However, over-charging is one reason why batteries swell so perhaps the guy at the Apple Store was just confusing the two.

Side note: if you have a MBP that has a swollen battery AND that battery caused additional damage, like breaking the trackpad and/or the top case it isn’t uncommon (though not guaranteed) for Apple to replace the trackpad and top case at no charge when you pay to replace the battery.

Most likely the “guy” was misinformed. He was thinking about the older type of batteries.

With Li Ion batteries you leave them plugged in. Batteries have a limited number of “cycles” unplugging uses those cycles, and that reduces the batteries longevity.

If there’s a flaw in the battery it’s going to swell regardless.

If you had a removable battery, your best bet is to disconnect the battery after charging it 50%. Unfortunately that’s not possible for “modern” MacBooks. Then when you need the machine portable, plug the battery back in, charge it, and away you go.

That’s also true if you’re storing electronic devices for long periods. Charge them to 50% first.

The information is available on Apple’s website.