Introduction
Pre-req for unplugging the battery without removing it.
What you need
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Gently lift each side of the battery connector to pry the connector out of its socket on the logic board.
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Bend the connector back toward the battery, ensuring that the battery connector doesn't accidentally make contact with the logic board.
@lawrencetaylor On any electronics repair, you need to disconnect all sources of power before you start. It’s a basic safety precaution and also removes the risk of accidentally shorting a connection somewhere (which can potentially kill your MacBook).
I chanced it, didnt disconnect the battery and all is well even after giving the insides a good vacuuming before changing the SSD.
Picture doesn’t match the computer. Hard to tell which connector to disconnect
Hi James, are you sure you have the correct guide for your machine? Try using our MacBook Identification tool.
I used the identification tool and can confirm what James is seeing. The picture doesn’t match for this step. There is no piece with visible holes punched in it.
There is an extra piece of plastic on the connector, you might want to peel that off too. It’s not in the pictures.
Ellie B -
There is a battery cover with two T5 screws that must be removed before prying on the connector.
Hi Dennis,
Thanks for bringing this up! I’ll work on verifying this and adjust the guide as needed.
I need dis board hw much
After separating the battery connector, I took the addd precaution of placing a folded post-it between the connector bank and the socket.
You can also use a plastic tool to hold back the battery connector. My connector was under the plastic tab and had no screws. You may need to check the build version as there are a number of A1398 versions.
When you install the new battery, it may look like the holes in the connector need to be slid on to the connector toward the rear of the mac. I tried bending the cable to make it work. This could damage the cables. You really need only push directly downward on the connector, as you pulled up on it to remove it initially. It will pop into place with a little pressure, just make sure it's lined up properly.
I had to use quite a lot of pressure to make the connector on my new battery pop all the way down. I thought it was down already when it was only half way, as I was afraid to use too much force. Maybe it varies between different battery brands, but just make sure that the connector should go all the way down and not have a gap between the two parts.
If you don't know what the/a logic board is, you probably shouldn't be opening devices.
Art Hackett. Not useful. This guide is for laypeople. Nobody is supposed to know much of anything. That's the point of the guide and the existence of iFixit. You could have used that time to explain what the logic board is for people who are already here anyway.
Anyway onward and upward. If you don't know what a logic board is and you're here. https://www.google.com/search?q=macbook+...
There, now you're an expert like Art. -
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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2 Comments
So. replacing the battery on this model is quite a lot easier than on previous 15" Retina Macs?
Aha, ”battery *connector* replacement". Sorry...
You only need to remove the tape to the edge of the flap. This is enough to be able to pry the battery connector up.
Aaron Freidus - Reply
+1 to above comment
Andrew Saunders - Reply
Note that the photo is taken from the hinge side - the other way to the photo in step 3
Toby Thurston - Reply
I chanced it, didnt disconnect the battery and all is well even after giving the insides a good vacuuming before changing the SSD.
Dermot O Logical - Reply
It is just the top layer of tape that you want to lift, you need to seperate it from the bottom layer.
Kelv - Reply
You don’t actually need to remove the tape or even peel it off at all. Just pull up the battery connector up with the tape still attached.
AJ Lorenzo - Reply
pay attention that the macbook in this picture is presented the “wrong side”: if you accidentally remove the tape covering the trackpad cable and thereby also take the trackpad cable out of the zif-socket, your keyboard and trackpad won’t work anymore. putting the trackpad cable back into the (tiny) socket will fix the issue though.
sam - Reply