MacBook Pro 14" Late 2023 (M3 Pro and M3 Max) Battery Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Comments: 11

MacBook Pro 14" Late 2023 (M3 Pro and M3 Max) Battery Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the battery in your MacBook Pro 14" late 2023 (M3 Pro and M3 Max).

The MacBook Pro uses stretch-release adhesives to secure the battery. Some of the strips are hidden underneath the trackpad, so you’ll need to remove it first to access the strips.

You'll need replacement battery adhesive in order to complete this repair.

Some photos in this guide are from a different model and may contain slight visual discrepancies, but they won't affect the guide procedure.

Tools

Parts

Stretch Release Battery Adhesive

Step 1

Allow your MacBook's battery to drain below 10% before starting this repair. A charged battery may catch fire if damaged during the repair.
Fully shut down your MacBook, close the lid, and flip it over. Keep the lid closed until you've physically disconnected the battery.
Unplug the MagSafe cable and any accessories connected to your MacBook.

Step 2

Completely power off and unplug your MacBook Pro before you start. Close the screen and flip the entire laptop upside-down.
Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove eight screws securing the lower case:
Four 9.3 mm screws
Four 5 mm screws
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your device.

Step 3

Press a suction handle into place near the front edge of the lower case, between the screw holes.
Pull up on the suction handle to create a small gap under the lower case.

Step 4

Insert an opening pick into the gap you just created.
Slide the opening pick around the nearest corner and then halfway up the side of the MacBook Pro.
This releases the first of the hidden clips securing the lower case. You should feel and hear the clip pop free.

Step 5

Repeat the previous step on the other side, using an opening pick to to release the second clip.

Step 6

Sliding clips along the back edge of the MacBook further secure the lower case. Separating these clips may require a lot of force—consider using gloves to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the lower case.
Firmly pull the lower case away from the back edge, one corner at a time, to disengage the sliding clips.
Keep the lower case flat to the MacBook. Don't pull upward until it's completely separated.

Step 7

Remove the lower case.
To reinstall the lower case:
Lay it down and align the sliding clips with the back edge of the MacBook. Press down on the lower case and slide it toward the back edge to engage the clips.
When one side is engaged, it may push the other out of alignment. Check both sides as you push.
Once the back corners of the lower case are secured and flush with the frame, press down along the middle of the lower case to engage the four remaining clips.
You'll hear and feel each clip snap into place.

Step 8

Peel back any tape covering the battery board data cable connector on the logic board.

Not strictly necessary to remove this end of the cable, as the other end is also disconnected later. However, it does get it out of the way.

Patrick -

Step 9

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the battery board data cable.

Step 10

Disconnect the battery board data cable by sliding it out from its socket on the logic board.

Step 11

While your MacBook uses some Torx Plus screws, standard Torx bits work. Make sure to apply constant, downward force to avoid stripping.
Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 2.1 mm‑long 3IP Torx Plus screws securing the trackpad cable bracket to the logic board.

Sorry but this is not correct Apple procedure.

There is power running through the device still whilst you are unscrewing this plate/bracket and disconnecting the trackpad if you do it this way. This is why Apple put the small flex cable next to this, free to reach before touching anything else.

You must disconnect the battery flex cable next to the trackpad connector before you touch anything else.

Thanks

Brendan Roberts -

Is that not what steps 7-9 are doing? You cannot actually access the battery connector until you remove this cable as it's underneath. Which battery flex cable are you referring to?

maccentric -

Step 12

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the trackpad cable bracket.

Step 13

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the trackpad cable's press connector secured to the logic board.
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. Don't press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

Step 14

The trackpad cable is lightly adhered to the frame.
Peel the trackpad cable away from the device, making sure to separate the adhesive.

Step 15

Peel back any tape covering the battery board data cable connector under the large pancake screw.

Step 16

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the battery board data cable.

Step 17

Disconnect the battery board data cable by sliding it out from its socket on the battery board.

Ich hab dieses Datenkabel zerstört. Ist das der Grund warum es nicht mehr lädt?
Welches Kabel bräuchte ich denn? Das hier Item # IF464-018-1?
MacBook Pro 14" (A2442, A2779) and 16" (2021 A2485) Battery Daughter Board Cable

Ray -

Step 18

The battery board data cable is lightly adhered to the device.
Slide blunt nose tweezers under areas with adhesive to separate the cable from the device.
Remove the battery board data cable.

Removing is easy. We cant reinsert the battery data cable connector. It wont push in properly. Any helpful solution???

Paul Smith -

Step 19

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 3.8 mm 5IP Torx Plus wide-head screw securing the battery power connector.

Step 20

Use the flat end of your spudger to lift the battery connector away from the battery board, disconnecting the battery.
Lift the connector high enough that it doesn't accidentally make contact during the repair, but no more than 45 degrees to prevent damaging its hinge.
For added safety, place a barrier, such as a piece of a playing card, between the connector and board.

I would place a piece of card stock (business card) taped to the battery cells so the contact can’t be made.

Dan -

Step 21

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the ten 5.7 mm 5IP Torx Plus screws securing the trackpad assembly:
Adding a little blue threadlocker to the screw threads during reassembly can help prevent the screws from working themselves loose over time.
Install the screws loosely at first, and then check the trackpad alignment before tightening them down.

Step 22

Swing the screen open slightly, but keep the MacBook upside-down. The trackpad should separate and lay flat on the display.
As you remove the trackpad, be very careful not to lose the six small metal washers resting on the screw posts. (They will fly off and get lost with very little provocation.)
Carefully feed the trackpad's ribbon cable through its slot in the frame.

Step 23

Remove the trackpad.
During reassembly, make sure that each of the nine washers are present before you install the trackpad.

Step 24

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 4 mm 5IP Torx Plus screw securing the battery board.

Step 25

There are 14 total stretch release adhesive strips that secure the battery to the frame:
There are eight adhesive strips that are accessed from the bottom of the device.
There are six more adhesive strips accessed from the trackpad's location on the frame.

The center 2 on the top start off wide but have a narrow part at the end (I thought I broke one at first).

maccentric -

Step 26

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to grasp the black pull-tab on one of the adhesive strips.

The black pull tab is glued to the battery, you'll need to pull it away from the battery before you start trying to pull out the strip (I used a spudger, there's less glue towards the center of them so start there and work outward). You'll need tweezers at first to pull out enough to get purchase by your fingers, which are less prone to tearing the strip. If it breaks, there's probably no chance of retrieving it, it'll be out of reach. Go slowly, maybe apply heat to the palm rest side (I had 3 break on one side before I did this, only one on the other after I did it). Hopefully you'll get enough out to be able to lift an edge up an slide a credit card (I use a plastic putty knife) or something in there to cut through the rest (and not have to deal with solvents).

maccentric - 18/03/24

Step 27

Pull the strip out slowly and steadily at a low angle. Give it plenty of time to stretch and un-stick from under the battery.
If the adhesive strip breaks off, try to retrieve it using your fingers or blunt tweezers and continue pulling.
Repeat the process for all 14 stretch release adhesive strips.

Step 28

Follow the next two steps if you weren't able to pull all the stretch-release adhesives.
Take care not to puncture or bend the battery with your tool—a punctured or bent battery may leak dangerous chemicals or cause a fire. In case you're struggling to pull up the battery, apply more isopropyl alcohol and try again.
Apply a few drops of high concentration (over 90%) isopropyl alcohol to the gaps surrounding the affected area of the battery.
Be careful not to get an isopropyl alcohol near the speakers, as that will loosen them from the frame.
Wait between one to two minutes for the adhesive to loosen.

If the speakers come loose with the alcohol, can it be reattached again? Will they work the same?

Rackoo -

Hi Rackoo,

The speakers are strongly adhered to the frame. If, however, they do come loose, you can always reattach them with double-sided tape of your choosing. This shouldn't be a major concern as long as you prop up your laptop so that the IPA flows away from the speakers and under the stuck battery cells.

Good luck!

Clay Eickemeyer -

Step 29

Insert a plastic card between the battery and the frame.
Pry up with the card while slicing the adhesive to separate the battery from the frame.

Step 30

Slide the battery out of the frame to remove it.
If any adhesive remains, clean it with a few drops of isopropyl alcohol and wipe it with a lint-free or microfiber cloth.
Before removing any adhesive liners from your new battery, place it in its recess to make sure it fits. Then, remove the adhesive liners and firmly press each cell into place.
If your battery doesn't come with adhesive, secure it with new stretch-release adhesive.
Alternatively, you may use strong double-sided tape such as Tesa Tape to secure the battery.

Conclusion

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

For optimal performance, calibrate your newly installed battery after completing this guide.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our MacBook Pro 14" Late 2023 (M3 Pro and M3 Max) Answers community for help.

Author

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

117881 Reputation

One comment

Where can I buy the battery ?

Daniel Mendivelso -