Introduction
Use this guide to remove and replace the glued-in battery from your 12-inch MacBook with Retina Display. This is best done with the help of an iFixit battery replacement kit; the liquid adhesive remover in your kit will dissolve the adhesive securing the battery, allowing you to remove it with ease.
iFixit adhesive remover is flammable. Perform this procedure in a well-ventilated area. Do not smoke or work near an open flame during this procedure.
For your safety, drain your MacBook Pro's battery before you begin this procedure. A charged lithium-ion battery can create a dangerous and uncontrollable fire if accidentally punctured.
The MacBook's battery contacts are located under the logic board, and this guide recommends removing the logic board completely for battery replacement. While it's possible to remove the logic board screws and simply tip the board up slightly to remove the battery, it's very difficult to install a new battery correctly with the logic board still in place.
Note: The solvent used to dissolve the battery adhesive can damage and/or discolor certain plastics. Take care where you apply the solvent.
To avoid logic board damage, when your MacBook repair is complete but before powering it on, connect it to low-voltage power using a 5-Watt iPhone charger and a USB-C to USB-A cable. These accessories are not included with your MacBook, so make sure you have them ready before you begin.
What you need
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Tool used on this step:Magnetic Project Mat$19.95
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Remove the following eight screws securing the lower case:
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Two 1.8 mm P5 Pentalobe screws
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Four 2.9 mm P5 Pentalobe screws
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Two 6.1 mm P5 Pentalobe screws
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Wedge your fingers between the upper case and the lower case, starting from the rear of the MacBook between the hinges.
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Keeping a firm grip, lift steadily until the lower case separates slightly from the upper case.
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While holding the lower case in place, carefully flip the MacBook over so the Apple logo faces up.
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Lift the upper case and display together from the front edge and raise it to about a 45Ëš angle.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to press and hold the small gold 'battery disconnect' button.
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If the power LED is lit up, continue holding the button until the LED goes dark, and then release. This may take up to 10 seconds.
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If the LED does not light, release the button after 5-10 seconds. Press and hold it again for 5-10 seconds, and release. Finally, press and hold it a third time for 5-10 seconds, and release.
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Disconnect the trackpad ribbon cable from the trackpad by pulling it gently through its slot in the frame.
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Carefully turn the MacBook over, so that the lower case lays flat.
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Raise the upper case/display assembly to about a 90° angle, and prop it up against something sturdy so you don't have to hold it.
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Add a piece of tape near the track pad to secure the upper case and prevent accidental movement.
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Tool used on this step:Battery Blocker$3.99
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As an added precaution, you may physically disconnect the battery by inserting a battery isolation pick between the logic board and the battery connector.
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Remove the two screws securing the USB-C port cable bracket:
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1.1 mm Tri-point Y00 screw
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3.5 mm T5 Torx screw
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Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the USB-C port cable bracket by prying it straight up from the logic board.
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Disconnect the audio jack board ribbon cable by pulling it straight back out of the ZIF connector.
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If so, use the flat end of a spudger to hold down the retaining flap while peeling the tape away with the tweezers.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to flip open the retaining flap on the display cable connector.
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Try to keep it clear of the tape, or it may re-adhere and make cable removal difficult.
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Carefully pull straight back on the two pieces of tape you just peeled up to disconnect the two ribbon cables.
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Insert one arm of your angled tweezers under the metal neck of the first antenna connector and pry up to disconnect it.
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Use a spudger to disconnect the left speaker cable connector by prying it straight up from the logic board.
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Disconnect the trackpad cable from the logic board by gently pulling it straight out of its connector.
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Flip up the front edge of the logic board.
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Lift and detach the EMI tape securing the logic board to the lower case.
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Lift the back edge of the lower case assembly and prop it up at an angle using a book or foam block.
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Wear eye protection when handling and applying the adhesive remover. (Eye protection is included in your kit.)
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Do not wear contact lenses without eye protection.
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Protective gloves are also included in your kit. If you are concerned about skin irritation, put your gloves on now.
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Pull off the black rubber stopper from your bottle of adhesive remover.
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Use scissors to cut off the sealed tip of the applicator.
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The adhesive securing the battery cells to the lower case is located in the areas marked in red.
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Apply a few drops of adhesive remover along the top edge of the front right battery cell.
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Wait 2-3 minutes for the liquid adhesive remover to penetrate underneath the battery cell before you proceed to the next step.
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After 2-3 minutes, slide one corner of a plastic card underneath the battery cell.
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Slide the card farther underneath the battery cell to separate it from the adhesive securing it to the case.
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Lift the battery cell from the right edge to fully separate it from the adhesive, but don't try to remove it.
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Leave the plastic card underneath the battery cell to prevent it from re-adhering as you proceed to the next step.
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Repeat the previous three steps to separate the front left battery cell.
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Leave the plastic card underneath the battery cell to prevent it from re-adhering as you proceed to the next step.
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Repeat the previous steps to separate the large battery cell on the left side of the MacBook.
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Repeat the previous steps to separate the large battery cell on the right side of the MacBook.
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Lay the lower case assembly down flat, and apply adhesive remover to the two middle battery cells—at each side, and along the front edge (opposite the logic board area).
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Apply some additional adhesive remover down the middle between the two battery cells.
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Wait 2-3 minutes for the adhesive remover to penetrate before you proceed.
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Insert your plastic card under the front edge one of the battery cells and separate it carefully.
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Remove the battery by lifting it away from the speaker and logic board area.
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Peel off larger pieces of adhesive using tweezers or gloved fingers.
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Scrape away any remaining adhesive with a plastic tool, and clean the underlying areas with adhesive remover or isopropyl alcohol. Wipe in one direction, not back and forth, until all the adhesive residue is gone.
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Tool used on this step:Tesa 61395 Tape$10.99
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Test your new battery's fit and alignment carefully before installing it.
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Your replacement battery may come affixed to a thick plastic top liner to help keep the individual cells in position as you install it. Don't remove this liner until after the battery is installed.
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If your battery came with adhesive pre-installed on the bottom, peel away the bottom plastic liners to expose the adhesive. If your battery did not come with adhesive, apply a thin double-sided adhesive tape such as Tesa 61395 to the lower case in the areas marked in red.
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Carefully position the battery and set it into place. Press and hold each cell firmly for 5-10 seconds to secure it to the lower case. Afterward, peel off the plastic top liner along with any foam padding.
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