Do you own a MacBook Pro 2016 or 2017?
If yes, then do you know that Apple has launched a MacBook Pro battery replacement program for some of the laptops that faced a battery charging issue?
Let me give you a brief overview of the issue and everything related to the battery replacement program.
MacBook Pro Battery Charging Issue
So here’s the deal. A number of 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro users are unable to charge their MacBooks more than 1%. When they check the battery health status, it also shows a “Service Recommended” notification. This is an indication that there is some kind of issue with the battery only, and nothing is wrong with the MacBook itself.
However, there are a large number of users whose battery health status shows “Normal.” This means that your MacBook Pro’s battery is doing just fine and is not affected by the “not charging beyond 1% issue.”
So, if your MacBook Pro’s battery is stuck at 1% no matter what you do, you are definitely eligible for the MacBook Pro free battery replacement program.
After all, when you spend so much to get your hands on a MacBook Pro, you expect it to run smoothly without any bugs!
So, let me tell you a bit more about this program.
MacBook Pro Battery Replacement Program and macOS Big Sur 11.2.1
Earlier this year, in February, to be exact, Apple announced the release of macOS Big Sur 11.2.1.
But what has that got to do with the MacBook Pro battery charging issue?
Well, this system update has a lot to do with the MacBook Pro battery charging bug!
For starters, it addresses the battery charging issue present in the 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models. Here I’d like to clarify, that it won’t “fix” the issue in the MacBooks that are already affected by this bug; however, this update will make sure that the problem doesn’t arise in other MacBook models, including the 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pros.
But, the launch of macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 was not the only thing that Apple announced!
While macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 may prevent the battery charging issue in the future, what about the ones who are already facing the issue?
Good news for them! Apple also announced the launch of a MacBook Pro battery replacement program specifically for the 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro users.
So, is your MacBook Pro eligible for the battery replacement program or not? Let’s find out!
How to Check Eligibility Criteria for the MacBook Pro Battery Replacement Program?
If your MacBook Pro’s charging isn’t going more than 1%, you can get your battery replaced for free!
However, just to be on the safe side, and just to make sure whether the issue really is battery related, you can follow these simple steps:
- Check your MacBook Pro battery health
- Check your MacBook Pro model number
1. Check Battery Health
Here are the steps to see whether your MacBook Pro’s battery is functioning normally, or needs to be replaced:
Step 1
On your MacBook Pro, click on the Apple logo at the top-left of the menu bar and go to “System Preferences > Battery.”
Step 2
Next, from the sidebar, click on “Battery” again and select “Battery Health” from the lower-right corner.
Step 3
You will see either of the two notifications:
- Normal, which indicates that the battery is working fine.
- Service Recommended, which means that the battery needs to be replaced.
But, the free battery replacement program is only for the 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pros. The MacBook Pro battery replacement cost for models other than these is $199.
So, will you get a new battery for free or will you have to pay for it? Here’s how to find out.
2. Check Model Number
To see whether your MacBook Pro is listed amongst the devices that are eligible for a free battery replacement, follow these simple steps:
Step 1
Click on the Apple logo at the top-left of the menu bar and click “About this Mac.”
Step 2
Now check the description of your MacBook Pro. If it is one of the models listed below, then you can get your battery replaced free of cost.
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
In short:
If you own a MacBook Pro in 2013 or 2015, or models later than 2017, and you’re facing a battery issue, you can contact Apple Support to replace your battery for a small fee. But, if you have MacBook Pro models 2016 or 2017, you’re eligible for the free MacBook Pro battery replacement program.
However, even if you’re not facing any battery issues with your MacBook Pro, I’m sure you must be wondering how long does a regular battery last?
How Long Does MacBook Pro Battery Last Before Replacement?
According to Apple, a regular MacBook Pro battery lasts through 1000 cycles.
A cycle is when you use up all of your MacBook Pro’s battery and then recharge it. Now, you can either drain the battery in one go or over several hours or days. In any case, once it reaches 0 and then is charged to a full 100%, it is counted as a cycle.
So, how do you check how many cycles your MacBook Pro has been through?
How to Check Battery Cycle Count on MacBook Pro?
Determining the battery cycle count on MacBook Pro is pretty simple. All you have to do is:
Step 1
Press the “key” on your keyboard and click the Apple logo at the top-left corner of the screen.
Step 2
Now, click on “System Information > Hardware > Power.”
Step 3
The battery information will be displayed on the right of the side panel, where you can see the cycle count under the “Health Information” section.
Summing Up
Whether you have a MacBook Pro 2016/2017 model or other than that, it is essential to keep a check on its battery health.
However, the 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro users had an unfortunate experience with the battery not charging more than 1%. Luckily, Apple took charge of the situation and launched a MacBook Pro battery replacement program for the affectees.
So, if you’re facing the same issue, contact Apple Support, and get your battery replaced for free, ASAP!
