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MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Battery Replacement

What you need

  1. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Battery Replacement, Lower Case: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:

    • Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

    • Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.

  2. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Battery Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Battery Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • Wedge your fingers between the lower case and the vent, and lift upward to release the two clips holding the lower case to the upper case.

    • During reassembly, carefully align the lower case and then press it firmly until both clips engage.

    • Remove the lower case.

  3. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Battery Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Battery Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Whenever working near the logic board, it is always wise to first disconnect the battery to avoid short circuits.

    • Grab the plastic tab attached to the battery connector and pull it toward the front edge of the device.

    • Pull the tab parallel to the face of the logic board.

  4. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Battery Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the three 6.5 mm Tri-point screws securing the battery to the upper case.

  5. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Battery Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Battery Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Use a plastic opening tool or another soft thin-edged tool to carefully lift up a corner of the "Warning: Do not remove the battery" sticker off the right speaker/subwoofer enclosure.

    • Peel the sticker off the right speaker/subwoofer enclosure.

    • It is not necessary to completely peel the sticker off the battery.

  6. MacBook Pro 17" Unibody Battery Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • Lift the battery by its attached pull tab 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.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

205 other people completed this guide.

33 Comments

There is a little rubber post under the battery, black with an orange inside guide. Where is that from?

Drago - Reply

Maybe good to know: as this type of MacBook Pro is already ageing, mine showed some bulging in the battery. As I don't use my MacBook Pro anymore as a real laptop, for me, it doesn't matter anymore to replace the battery. But for safety reasons, I removed the bulging battery, and the MacBook Pro is still running fine!

Dirk Blom - Reply

Hello, i've tryed to do it but without the battry my macbook didn't turned on... do you have any tip? Did you have to configure anything inside? My mac is a Macbook pro 17'' 6,1 mid 2010

kirapereira -

@kirapereira, it should work. I took my bulging battery out and made no configuration changes. Just make sure you keep the MBP plugged into a working electrical outlet at all times and keep it plugged in while you are using it. If the magsafe connector gets dislodged for any reason the computer will shutdown immediately, no warnings or questions asked.

lordquake -

I just changed my A1297 model Late 2011 MacBook Pro 17" battery using a NewerTech battery kit (includes the two tools you need) that I sourced off OWC (OtherWorldComputing aka MacSales website) and using their installation video (while checking it against install guides on EverythingMac and the iFixit websites) The replacement went without a hitch and the battery is charging now The only thing I had to do was reset the clock after boot up I will report problems here, if any But if not, then Finito!

Alan Fiermonte - Reply

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