MacBook Air 2022 (M2) Battery Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

Comments: 12

MacBook Air 2022 (M2) Battery Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the battery in your MacBook Air 2022 (M2).

This repair requires replacement adhesive.

Tools

Parts

Step 1

Before you begin, discharge your battery below 25%, as a charged lithium-ion battery can be dangerous if accidentally punctured.
Power off your MacBook Air and unplug all cables.
Close the display and flip the laptop upside down. Keep the lid closed until you've physically disconnected the battery.

Step 2

Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove the four 6.4 mm screws securing the lower case:
Two screws with a short threaded portion near the hinges
Two screws with a long threaded portion near the front of the MacBook
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

Step 3

Apply a suction handle to the center of the lower case's front edge.
Pull up on the suction handle with strong, steady force to create a small 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 four 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.

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 and firmly pull 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 four snapping clips.
You'll hear and feel a distinct click as each clip snaps into place.

Nice !

Clay Eickemeyer -

Step 8

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the battery connector cover.
Due to screw variances, you may need to use a T4 Torx instead. Keep this in mind whenever you encounter T3 Torx screws during this repair.

Step 10

Use an opening pick to pry up and disconnect the battery connector.

Step 11

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the trackpad cable cover.

Step 12

Use a spudger or your fingers to move the trackpad cable cover out of the way so you can access the press connector underneath.

Step 13

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the trackpad cable press connector.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down in the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Step 14

Peel up and remove the foam pad from the lower display cable cover to reveal a hidden screw.

Step 15

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the fourteen 1.5 mm screws securing the various cable covers.

Step 16

Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the six cable covers.

In step 16 (see here https://i.imgur.com/jbmTEsg.png) there are three screws retaining the inboard LCD connector cover. There is a piece of tape covering the centre screw, and it had me stumped for a minute (I am not vwery smart, am I 😂)

Peter Newman -

Step 17

Remove the four screws securing the upper display cable cover:
Two 2.5 mm P2 Pentalobe screws
Two 2.5 mm T3 Torx screws
During reassembly, the Pentalobe screws must thread into their holes on the plastic securing bracket.

Step 18

Remove the upper display cable cover and plastic securing bracket.
During reassembly, make sure that the upper lip of the metal cable cover slots into the plastic bracket.

Step 19

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect both display cable press connectors.

Step 20

Disconnect the microphone array press connector, directly to the left of the display cable.

Does anybody know what this connects too?
Is it part of the Holy Display Trinity (LCD LVDS, Backlight & Camera) or is this something else?

OmeletteBaguette -

Hi! Thank you for the comment. This is the microphone array connector. The guide has been updated!

Spencer Day -

Step 21

Disconnect the left and right speaker press connectors.

Step 22

Insert the flat end of a spudger between the the interconnect cable and the screw post.
Pry up and disconnect the interconnect cable.

Step 23

Disconnect the MagSafe port press connector.

Step 24

Disconnect both Thunderbolt port press connectors.

Step 25

Use a pair of tweezers to grip the first antenna connector, as close to its base as possible.
Lift straight up to disconnect the cable.
The antenna connectors on the logic board are very fragile. When disconnecting the cables, pull straight up—don’t bend them to the side.
Repeat for the second antenna cable.
To reattach antenna connectors like these, align the connector over its socket and press down with the flat end of a spudger. The connector should snap into place. This can be tricky and may take a few tries.

Step 26

Remove the nine screws securing the logic board:
Three 3.8 mm T5 Torx screws
One 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw
Two 3.4 mm T5 Torx screws
One 3.1 mm T5 Torx screw
Two 2.7 mm T3 Torx screws

Step 27

The logic board and its cover are connected and remove as one assembly.
The cover extends out from the logic board's left edge and bends easily. Don't pull the board up from this side.
Grip the right side of the logic board and slide it towards the trackpad until it clears the overhangs near the speakers.
Remove the logic board.

Step 28

When you reinstall the logic board, verify that no cables get trapped under the board as you lower it into place. Check each of the seven locations carefully:
Right speaker cable
Trackpad cable
Display cables and microphone array cable
Antenna cables
Battery cable
Left speaker cable
USB-C and MagSafe cables

Need to include the microphone array cable from Step 20 ;)

Jeff Suovanen -

Step 29

Reposition the trackpad cable over the bottom edge of the MacBook so it's out of the way of the battery.

Step 30

A small amount of adhesive secures the right side of the battery cable to the frame.
Lift and detach the battery cable from the frame.

Step 31

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the two 4.5 mm screws securing the upper edges of the battery tray.
Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four screws securing the center of the battery tray.

Step 32

The MacBook's battery cells are attached to a metal tray as a complete assembly. This tray is secured to the frame by eight stretch-release adhesive strips:
Four on the bottom left corner
Four on the bottom right corner

Step 33

Use a pair of tweezers to peel up the black pull tab on one of the stretch-release adhesive strips until you can grip it with your fingers.
Pull the strip out from under the battery at a shallow angle. Go very slow and use steady force, giving the strip plenty of time to stretch and unstick itself from under the battery tray.
You may have to re-grip the adhesive closer to the laptop and continue pulling multiple times—the adhesive will stretch a lot.
Pull the adhesive strip until it’s completely freed from underneath the battery tray.
Repeat for the seven remaining adhesive strips.

Step 34

If you removed all the stretch-release adhesive, congratulations! You can skip the next two steps. If any strips broke and the battery is still stuck in place, follow the next two steps to remove the remaining adhesive.
Apply a few drops of high concentration (greater than 90%) isopropyl alcohol between the edge of the frame and the battery where any adhesive strips remain.
Wait one minute for the isopropyl alcohol to soften the adhesive.

Step 35

Make sure your plastic card is underneath the battery tray, and not between the battery and the tray. Don’t attempt to remove the battery cells from the metal tray.
Insert a plastic card underneath the battery's metal tray.
Push the plastic card underneath the metal tray and slide it back and forth to slice the remaining adhesive. You may need to lift the battery cell to reach the adhesive.
If you're struggling to remove the remaining adhesive, apply more isopropyl alcohol and try again.

Step 36

Remove the battery assembly.
During reassembly:
Remove any remaining adhesive strips with tweezers or your fingers.
Clean up the adhesive residue with a few drops of isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free or microfiber cloth.
Before removing any adhesive liners, place the battery in its recess and make sure it fits.
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.
Alternatively, you may use strong double-sided tape such as Tesa Tape to secure the battery.

Conclusion

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before you install it.

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 check out our Answers community for help.

Author

Spencer Day

Member since: 14/09/22

49372 Reputation

7 comments

Is is really necessary to remove the motherboard?

Looking at all the photos, it seems to me like the battery should be clear for removal after disconnecting it and the trackpad cable, leaving the motherboard (and all of its other connectors) in-place. So what am I missing here?

shamino -

Hi! The logic board is removed first because the battery cable runs underneath it and is adhered to the frame.

Spencer Day -

It is not necessary to remove the motherboard. The battery cable runs underneath the logicboard, but is not adhere to it. You can slide it out once the battery is loose.

just1ed -

I lost the screws to my battery cover. Is there any way to replace them? Should i tape the cover on for now? Please help!

dumb yung and broke -

Can someone verify this and see if it does really need to e removed?

"It is not necessary to remove the motherboard. The battery cable runs underneath the logicboard, but is not adhere to it. You can slide it out once the battery is loose."

Ryan Zmuda - 17/10/23

Wrong, the cable is partially stuck underneath the logicboard

J FaDaWay (FaDaWay) -

Where can I buy the battery in a reliable place?

Jose Luis -