MacBook Air 15" 2024 Battery Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

Comments: 2

MacBook Air 15" 2024 Battery Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 - 45 minutes

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.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Allow your MacBook's battery to drain below 25% before starting this repair—a charged battery may catch fire if damaged.
Unplug all cables and fully power off your MacBook.
Close the display and lay your MacBook upside down. Keep your laptop closed until you've physically disconnected the battery.

Step 2

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Use a P5 pentalobe screwdriver to remove the four 6.4 mm‑long screws securing the lower case.

Step 3

Apply a suction handle to the center of the lower case's front edge.
Pull up on the suction handle to create a gap between the lower case and the frame.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.

Step 4

During the next two steps you'll feel and hear six snapping clips release. If a clip doesn't release, insert your opening pick farther and try again.
Slide the pick to the bottom right corner to release the first clip.
Slide the pick around the corner and up the right edge to release the next two clips.

It is possible to break these off of the lid if you do not understand how they lock. They lock by pressing the lid straight down onto the body, not from the side. If I did it again I would find the clip, and just twist the tool to pull the two halves directly away from each other.

Geoff Baker -

Step 5

Insert the opening pick in the original gap created with the suction handle.
Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner and up the left edge to release the three remaining snapping clips.

Step 6

Four sliding tabs along the back edge of the MacBook firmly secure the lower case. Separating these tabs requires a lot of force—consider using gloves to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the lower case.
Keep the lower case flat to the frame and firmly slide it straight away from the back edge, one corner at a time, to disengage the sliding tabs.
Don't pull up until the cover is completely separated.

Step 7

Remove the lower case.
During reassembly:
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.
When one side is engaged, it may push the other out of alignment. Check both sides as you push, there should be no gap along the back edge.
Once the lower case is flush with the frame, press down firmly along the perimeter to engage the six snapping clips.
You'll hear and feel a distinct click as each clip snaps into place.

Step 8

Use blunt nose tweezers or your fingers to remove the piece of tape covering the battery connector cover.
During reassembly, use the leftover adhesive to secure the tape to the cover.

Step 9

Use a 3IP Torx Plus screwdriver to remove the two 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the battery connector cover.
Remove the cover.

Step 10

Use an opening pick to pry up and disconnect the battery connector.
To reconnect a press connector, align it over the socket and gently press down on one side until it clicks into place, then press down on the other side. It might take a few tries to align the connector.

Step 11

A small piece of black tape hides two trackpad cable cover screws.
Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the tape from the trackpad cable.
During reassembly, use the leftover adhesive to secure the tape to the cover.

Step 12

Light adhesive secures the trackpad cable to its metal cover.
Pull the trackpad cable away from its cover to separate the adhesive securing it.
During reassembly:
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.
If you have a replacement trackpad cable with adhesive pre-installed, remove the liner and press the cable into place.

Step 13

Use a 3IP Torx Plus screwdriver to remove the two 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the trackpad cable cover.
Remove the cover.

Step 14

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the trackpad cable press connector from the logic board.

Step 15

Two small strips of adhesive secure the trackpad cable to the frame.
Heat an iOpener and apply it to the trackpad cable for two minutes to soften the adhesive securing it to the frame.
You can also use a hair dryer—but extreme heat can damage the battery, so proceed with care.

Step 16

Pull the trackpad cable toward the bottom of the MacBook to separate it from the frame.
During reassembly:
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.
If you have a replacement trackpad cable with adhesive pre-installed, remove the liners and press the cable into place.

Step 17

Use a 3IP Torx Plus screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the battery tray:
Four 4.6 mm‑long screws securing the upper edges
Two 2.5 mm‑long screws securing the center

Step 18

The MacBook's battery cells are adhered to a metal tray as a complete assembly.
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.

Step 19

Use the point of a spudger and tweezers to separate and peel up the eight pull tabs.
Don't pull on the tabs yet.

Step 20

It takes time and constant tension to release the adhesive strips. Be patient and don't yank on them.
Don't let the strips touch the bottom edge of the frame—it's sharp and can easily cut them.
Use your fingers to slowly pull each strip out at a low angle, giving the adhesive plenty of time to stretch and detach.
Re-grip the strip closer to the battery as necessary and continue pulling—the adhesive will stretch a lot.
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.

Step 21

If you successfully removed all eight strips of adhesive, congratulations! Skip down two steps. If any of the strips broke and you weren't able to retrieve them, follow the next two steps to separate the remaining adhesive.
Apply a few drops of highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) under the battery tray near the broken adhesive strips.
Wait one minute for the alcohol to soften the adhesive.

Step 22

Make sure your plastic card is underneath the battery tray itself, and not between a battery cell and the tray. Don’t attempt to remove any battery cells from the metal tray.
Insert a plastic card underneath the battery's metal tray where the adhesive strip broke off.
Slide the plastic card completely under the battery tray and lift to separate any remaining adhesive.

Step 23

Lift the battery and pull it towards the bottom of your laptop so the battery cable slides out from under the logic board.
Remove the battery.
During reassembly:
Remove any remaining adhesive from the frame and clean up the residue with a few drops of isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth.
Before removing any adhesive liners, place the battery in its recess and make sure it fits.
When installing a new battery, make sure you slide its cable under the logic board before securing the battery.
If your replacement battery comes with adhesive, remove the plastic liners and firmly press each cell into place.
If your replacement battery doesn't come with adhesive, secure it with stretch-release adhesive or double-sided tape.

Conclusion

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.

Author

Spencer Day

Member since: 14/09/22

95592 Reputation

One comment

2 Questions, please. Is this the same sequence on the 13" A3113? Also, can the battery be changed without removing the trackpad cable. If I remember correctly, mine appeared loose from the battery.

Thanks! Would love to see this in a video version. It is very helpful.

Purple Nurple -