Skip to Content

Apple Launches Battery Replacement Program for Non-Touch Bar 13-Inch MacBook Pro Models

Apple today announced a new worldwide battery replacement program for some 13-inch MacBook Pro models that do not have a Touch Bar. Affected machines were manufactured between October 2016 and October 2017.

Apple says that a limited number of these units feature a component that can fail and cause the built-in battery to expand. It is not a safety issue, according to the company, and Apple will replace all eligible batteries.

macbookpronotouchbar
Customers who want to see if their machines are eligible for a fresh battery should use the serial number checker on the MacBook Pro Battery Replacement page. You can find your serial number by clicking on the Apple logo in the menu bar and selecting "About This Mac." The serial number is located at the bottom of the information window.

Affected customers who are eligible for a new battery will need to visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider, make an appointment at an Apple retail store, or mail their device into an Apple Repair Center after initiating a repair with Apple Support.

Apple suggests customers who are getting a battery replacement back up their machines ahead of time. Apple also says that if the MacBook Pro in question has damage that will impair the replacement of the battery, it must be addressed prior to the battery replacement process.

Any customer who has already paid for a replacement battery can contact Apple Support about a refund.

The battery replacement program covers affected MacBook Pro models for five years after the first retail sale of the unit.

Related Forum: MacBook Pro

Popular Stories

MacBook Neo Feature Pastel 1

First MacBook Neo Benchmarks Are In: Here's How It Compares to the M1 MacBook Air

Thursday March 5, 2026 4:07 pm PST by
Benchmarks for the new MacBook Neo surfaced today, and unsurprisingly, CPU performance is almost identical to the iPhone 16 Pro. The MacBook Neo uses the same 6-core A18 Pro chip that was first introduced in the iPhone 16 Pro, but it has one fewer GPU core. The MacBook Neo earned a single-core score of 3461 and a multi-core score of 8668, along with a Metal score of 31286. Here's how the...
MacBook Neo Feature Pastel 1

Apple Announces $599 'MacBook Neo' With A18 Pro Chip

Wednesday March 4, 2026 6:15 am PST by
Apple today announced the "MacBook Neo," an all-new kind of low-cost Mac featuring the A18 Pro chip for $599. The MacBook Neo is the first Mac to be powered by an iPhone chip; the A18 Pro debuted in 2024's iPhone 16 Pro models. Apple says it is up to 50% faster for everyday tasks than the bestselling PC with the latest shipping Intel Core Ultra 5, up to 3x faster for on-device AI workloads,...
Multicolored Low Cost A18 Pro MacBook Feature

Apple Accidentally Leaks 'MacBook Neo'

Tuesday March 3, 2026 7:00 am PST by
Apple appears to have prematurely revealed the name of its rumored lower-cost MacBook model, which is expected to be announced this Wednesday. A regulatory document for a "MacBook Neo" (Model A3404) has appeared on Apple's website. Unfortunately, there are no further details or images available yet. While the PDF file does not contain the "MacBook Neo" name, it briefly appeared in a link...

Top Rated Comments

FocusAndEarnIt Avatar
103 months ago
How about the keyboards?
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
103 months ago
Damnit, I got really excited for a second when I started reading the title "Apple Launches..." and the image of a MacBook Pro in the article.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
103 months ago
Apple today announced a new worldwide battery replacement program ('https://www.apple.com/support/13inch-macbookpro-battery-replacement/') for some 13-inch MacBook Pro models that do not have a Touch Bar. Affected machines were manufactured between October 2016 and October 2017.

Apple says that a limited number of these units feature a component that can fail and cause the built-in battery to expand. It is not a safety issue, according to the company, and Apple will replace all eligible batteries.



Customers who want to see if their machines are eligible for a fresh battery should use the serial number checker on the MacBook Pro Battery Replacement page ('https://www.apple.com/support/13inch-macbookpro-battery-replacement/'). You can find your serial number by clicking on the Apple logo in the menu bar and selecting "About This Mac." The serial number is located at the bottom of the information window.

Affected customers who are eligible for a new battery will need to visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider, make an appointment at an Apple retail store, or mail their device into an Apple Repair Center after initiating a repair with Apple Support.

Apple suggests customers who are getting a battery replacement back up their machines ahead of time. Apple also says that if the MacBook Pro in question has damage that will impair the replacement of the battery, it must be addressed prior to the battery replacement process.

Any customer who has already paid for a replacement battery can contact Apple Support ('https://getsupport.apple.com/') about a refund.

The battery replacement program covers affected MacBook Pro models for five years after the first retail sale of the unit.

Article Link: Apple Launches Battery Replacement Program for Non-Touch Bar 13-Inch MacBook Pro Models ('https://www.macrumors.com/2018/04/20/apple-macbook-pro-replacement-program/')
They should come out with a Macbook Pro replacement program where they give you one that can actually be serviced/upgraded, support 32gb ram, and not have a meh keyboard.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
FocusAndEarnIt Avatar
103 months ago
I’ve never been sure just how many keyboards on the 2016/2017 MBP had a real issue. The keyboard was redesigned at some point, and many actual users report no issue.

Then there are a few who complain about the keyboards being rendered useless with a “speck of dust.” Always that same wording, over and over... a speck of dust.

I don’t doubt for a second there are some number of keyboards out there that have/had a real issue. But given how this complaint has been harped on and amplified by those who hate the latest model due to ports/thinness/cost/touch bar/etc., I do wonder about the true frequency of actual problems.

It can’t be every unit, since there are plenty of reports that a new keyboard solved the problem, and there are millions who have never had the issue.

What I am sure of is that Apple hasn’t had to replace keyboards multiple times on 10+ million MBP. If that had been the case, we’d be hearing about it from a lot more than the fraction of a percent who complain about it on the internets. And there would already be multiple class action lawsuits filed, I’m sure.
I'm on my third keyboard on the 2016 touchbar 15" MBP. The geniuses at the Apple Store near Philadelphia said they see it all the time. It's a real issue, and not fabricated by online Apple fanboys as one might think. There's a real issue: the new key mechanism has proven unable to withstand normal wear and tear of people who use their Macs in demanding workflows and production environments (ie use for about 8-10 hours on a normal work day). It's fine for the first couple or even 6 months, then they start rapidly failing.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
103 months ago
what a croc, an expanding battery is a safety issue
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
103 months ago
how about quit rushing things to manufacture every.single.year and take the time MAKE QUALITY GREAT AGAIN.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)