Skip to main content

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2012 Battery Replacement

What you need

  1. MacBook Air 11" Mid 2012 Battery Replacement, Lower Case: step 1, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    P5 Pentalobe Screwdriver Retina MacBook Pro and Air
    $5.99
    Buy
    • Shut down and close your computer. Lay it on a soft surface top-side down.

    • Remove the following ten screws:

    • Two 8 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws

    • Eight 2.5 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws

    • The special screwdriver needed to remove the 5-point Pentalobe screws can be found here.

  2. MacBook Air 11" Mid 2012 Battery Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop the lower case off the Air.

  3. MacBook Air 11" Mid 2012 Battery Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 11" Mid 2012 Battery Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both short sides of the battery connector upward to disconnect it from its socket on the logic board.

    • Bend the battery cable slightly away from the logic board so the connector will not accidentally contact its socket.

  4. MacBook Air 11" Mid 2012 Battery Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following five screws securing the battery to the upper case:

    • Two 5.2 mm T5 Torx screws

    • One 6 mm T5 Torx screw

    • Two 2.6 mm T5 Torx screws

  5. MacBook Air 11" Mid 2012 Battery Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • When handling the battery, avoid squeezing or touching the six exposed lithium polymer cells.

    • Lift the battery from its edge nearest the logic board and remove it from the upper case.

    • If you're installing a new battery, you should calibrate it after installation:

    • Charge it to 100%, and then keep charging it for at least 2 more hours. Next, unplug and use it normally to drain the battery. When you see the low battery warning, save your work, and keep your laptop on until it goes to sleep due to low battery. Wait at least 5 hours, then charge your laptop uninterrupted to 100%.

    • If you notice any unusual behavior or problems after installing your new battery, you may need to reset your MacBook's SMC.

Andrew Optimus Goldheart

Member since: 10/17/09

502,109 Reputation

407 Guides authored

Team

iFixit Member of iFixit

Staff

135 Members

16,476 Guides authored

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 10

Past 7 Days: 85

Past 30 Days: 383

All Time: 78,309