Introduction
Use this guide to replace a worn-out, malfunctioning, or dead battery in your MacBook Air 15" 2024.
If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.
What you need
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Unplug all cables and fully power off your MacBook.
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Close the display and lay your MacBook upside down. Keep your laptop closed until you've physically disconnected the battery.
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Use a P5 pentalobe screwdriver to remove the four 6.4 mm‑long screws securing the lower case.
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Apply a suction handle to the center of the lower case's front edge.
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Pull up on the suction handle to create a gap between the lower case and the frame.
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Insert an opening pick into the gap.
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Slide the pick to the bottom right corner to release the first clip.
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Slide the pick around the corner and up the right edge to release the next two clips.
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Keep the lower case flat and firmly pull it straight away from the back edge, one corner at a time, to disengage the sliding tabs.
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Remove the lower case.
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Set the lower case in place and align the sliding tabs with the screw heads they slide over. Press down and slide the lower case toward the back edge to engage the tabs—it'll stop sliding as the tabs engage.
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Once the lower case is flush with the frame, press down firmly along the perimeter to engage the six snapping clips.
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Use blunt nose tweezers or your fingers to remove the piece of tape covering the battery connector cover.
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Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the battery connector cover.
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Remove the cover.
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Use an opening pick to pry up and disconnect the battery connector.
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Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the tape from the trackpad cable.
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Pull the trackpad cable away from its cover to separate the adhesive securing it.
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Use the leftover adhesive to secure the trackpad cable to the cover. If the cable doesn't stick, use double-sided tape to secure it.
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If you have a replacement trackpad cable with adhesive pre-installed, remove the liner and press the cable into place.
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Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the trackpad cable cover.
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Remove the cover.
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Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the trackpad cable press connector from the logic board.
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Heat an iOpener and apply it to the trackpad cable for two minutes to soften the adhesive securing it to the frame.
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Pull the trackpad cable toward the bottom of the MacBook to separate it from the frame.
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Use the leftover adhesive to secure the trackpad cable to the cover. If the cable doesn't stick, use double-sided tape to secure it.
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If you have a replacement trackpad cable with adhesive pre-installed, remove the liners and press the cable into place.
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Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the battery tray:
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Four 4.6 mm‑long screws securing the upper edges
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Two 2.5 mm‑long screws securing the center
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The metal battery tray—not the actual cells—is secured to the frame by eight stretch-release adhesive strips on the bottom left and right edges of the MacBook.
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Use the point of a spudger and tweezers to separate and peel up the eight pull tabs.
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Use your fingers to slowly pull each strip out at a low angle, giving the adhesive plenty of time to stretch and detach.
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If a strip or its pull tab breaks off, use blunt nose tweezers to try to retrieve it from under the tray. If you can't reach it, move onto the next tab.
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Apply a few drops of highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) under the battery tray near the broken adhesive strips.
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Wait one minute for the alcohol to soften the adhesive.
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Insert a plastic card underneath the battery's metal tray where the adhesive strip broke off.
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Slide the plastic card completely under the battery tray and lift to separate any remaining adhesive.
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Lift the battery and pull it towards the bottom of your laptop so the battery cable slides out from under the logic board.
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Remove the battery.
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Remove any remaining adhesive from the frame and clean up the residue with a few drops of isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth.
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Before removing any adhesive liners, place the battery in its recess and make sure it fits.
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If your replacement battery comes with adhesive, remove the plastic liners and firmly press each cell into place.
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If your replacement battery doesn't come with adhesive, secure it with stretch-release adhesive or double-sided tape.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
For optimal performance, calibrate your newly installed battery after completing this guide.
If you notice any unusual behavior or problems after installing your new battery, you may need to reset your MacBook's SMC.
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
For optimal performance, calibrate your newly installed battery after completing this guide.
If you notice any unusual behavior or problems after installing your new battery, you may need to reset your MacBook's SMC.
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.
