Mac mini (2024) CMOS Battery Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl
  • Comments: 15
Mac mini (2024) CMOS Battery Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

11

Time Required

10 - 20 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the CMOS battery in your Mac mini (2024).

This CMOS battery is a standard 3V BR1632 coin cell battery.

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    • Fully shut down your Mac mini and unplug all cables from it.

    • Flip over your Mac mini and place it on a clean, flat surface to avoid scratching the chassis.

    Den Mac vorm ausschalten noch vom Account trennen. Sonst kann es zu Schwierigkeiten bei der Neuanmeldung kommen.

    MacGyverModeOn -

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    • Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the bottom cover and the chassis.

    • Pry up the bottom cover to create a gap.

    • Keep the Jimmy inserted under the bottom cover.

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    • Insert an opening pick into the gap created by the Jimmy.

    • Remove the Jimmy.

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    • Slide the opening pick along the bottom cover until you feel it snag on a clip.

    • There are four clips total—one at each corner of the bottom cover.

    • Twist the pick to lift the clip out of its slot.

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    • Continue sliding and prying with the pick along the perimeter of the bottom cover to release the remaining clips.

    • Don't insert the pick more than an inch when sliding near the power button, as you risk damaging the cable.

    • During reassembly, press along the perimeter of the bottom until you hear and feel all four clips click back into place.

    "Don't insert the pick more than an inch near the power button" is incorrect wording.

    I think you mean "Don't insert the pick less than an inch from the power button".

    David -

    Hi David!

    For that warning, it's about not inserting the pick too deep under the bottom cover that you risk hitting the cable as you work around the perimeter. The wording is confusing though, so I'll change it!

    Alex Diaz-Kokaisl -

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    • Don't remove the bottom cover yet, as it's still connected to the Mac mini with a cable.

    • Lift the edge of the bottom cover opposite the power button and flip it over to expose the power button cable.

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    • Grip the power button cable close to the head and pull it away from its socket to disconnect it.

    It's not necessary to remove the power connector and remove the bottom cover (the next step), just flip it over gently to take out the 3 screws underneath (in Step 9).

    James -

    Skip this step, really fragile connector

    Ravire -

    it tore open immediately. DO NOT TRY THIS.

    Chad Prestridge -

    Nicht notwenig man kann den Bodenteil einfach "überlegen"

    Christian Studer -

    Change these instructions, I also damaged my connector.
    This one is different from other connectors, pull up, not along the length of the cable.

    Or even better just move it aside or use the 4 Torx to remove it.

    James -

    How did you fix the connector afterwards? I‘ve the same problem. I broke the connector…

    Christof -

    Please change these instructions I just ripped the cable out before reading the comments

    Sully -

    And one more connector just died!

    Johannss -

    Sorry, what do you do if the connector pulls apart? Utterly evil design. This step needs a rewrite and a serious warning on it!!!!!

    Adam P -

    Achtung, den Connector auf keinen Fall lösen. Bei mir ging dieser kaputt - hoffe, ich kann ihn noch reparieren!

    Christof -

    another wrecked connector come on fix it change this step

    Donald Gillis -

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    • Remove the bottom cover.

    The power button is better to be completely unscrewed then to pull at the connector as it shattered in a 8th of a second.

    Chad Prestridge -

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    • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

    • While the Mac mini uses Torx Plus screws, standard Torx bits work. Make sure to apply constant, downward force to prevent stripping.

    • Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove the two 2.1 mm‑long screws securing the CMOS battery screws.

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    • Lift the CMOS battery and its housing off the inner plate and remove it.

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    • Use the flat end of a spudger, or your fingernail, to lift the CMOS battery out of its housing.

    • During reassembly, place the flat, shinier side of the battery into the section of the housing with the plus sign.

Conclusion

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

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 Mac mini (2024) Answers Community for help.

Author

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

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