Introduction

Use this guide to replace the battery in your MacBook Pro 16" 2021.

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.

For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your MacBook. This reduces the risk of fire if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.

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

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    • Completely power off and unplug your MacBook Pro before you start. Close the display and flip the entire laptop upside-down.

    • Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove eight screws securing the lower case:

    • Four 9.1 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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

    Terrifying, don't be afraid, give it a good pull, the description above is exactly right.

    Scott -

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    • Pull firmly to slide the lower case towards the front edge of the MacBook (away from the hinge area) to separate the last of the clips securing the lower case.

    • Pull first at one corner, then the other.

    • Pull to the side—not up.

    • This may require a lot of force.

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    • Remove the lower case.

    • To reinstall the lower case:

    • Set it in place and align the sliding clips near the display hinge. Press down and slide the cover toward the hinge. It should stop sliding as the clips engage.

    • When the sliding clips are fully engaged and the lower case looks correctly aligned, press down firmly on the lower case to engage the four hidden clips underneath. You should feel and hear them snap into place.

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

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

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

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    • Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 2.1 mm‑long screws securing the trackpad cable bracket to the logic board.

    Das sind T4 Schrauben bei mir

    Ralf Schäfer -

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

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    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the trackpad cable's press connector from 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. Do not press down on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.

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    • The trackpad cable is lightly adhered to the frame.

    • Peel the trackpad cable away from the device, making sure to separate the adhesive.

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

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

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

    This is SO small - I used a very fine guitar pick to get it to release, none of my tools were small enough.

    Scott -

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    • 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.

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    • Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 3.9 mm pancake screw securing the battery power connector.

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    • Use a spudger to lift the battery power connector, disconnecting the battery.

    • Lift the connector high enough to keep it separated from its socket while you work. If it accidentally makes contact, it could damage your MacBook Pro.

    is it possible to buy/replace this battery power connector? I broke mine on the logic board side and they are impossible to find. Ofc apple want $900 because the laptop is "modified" after replacing the keyboard :|

    Thenon -

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    • Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 13 screws securing the trackpad assembly:

    • Ten 5 mm screws

    • Three 5.8 mm screws

    • These screws all look similar—be careful not to mix them up.

    • 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.

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    • Swing the display open slightly, but keep the MacBook upside-down. The trackpad assembly should separate and lay flat on the display.

    • As you remove the trackpad assembly, be very careful not to lose the nine 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.

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    • Remove the trackpad assembly.

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    • Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the two screws securing the battery board:

    • One 4.4 mm screw

    • One 3.8 mm screw

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    • 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.

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

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    • 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—but do not pry under the battery.

    • Repeat the process for all 14 stretch release adhesive strips.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • Slide the battery out of the frame to remove it.

Conclusion

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

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

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.

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 MacBook Pro 16" 2021 Answers community for help.

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

117875 Reputation

11 comments

This is what I search for! Such a great guide!

Sehun Park -

Where can I purchase a new battery for my MacBook Pro 16" 2021 laptop?

Mr. T -

Hi there!

Unfortunately, we are not currently selling MacBook Pro 16" 2021 batteries. We are hoping to sell them sometime soon. You may want to consider checking with other retailers or online sources for the specific battery you need.

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl -

Has anyone figured out where we can purchase new replacement batteries for this computer (MacBook Pro 16" 2021 Model # MK193LL/A)?

David -

Why does step 22 talk about installing a new trackpad? That part left me confused.

Tad Garza -

Hi Ted!

Great question...and I don't have a great answer in return. So, I have changed the step accordingly!

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl -

Where can I buy a new battery for my MacBook Pro m1 16 2021?

main Use -

Months of searching..finally have an answer to my own question having found a battery on my own.

This one fits my Macbook Pro M1 2021 16" model.
https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Replaceme...

David -

Hello, I have received shaking after completing all the steps. Is there an adhesive applyer?

MathematicalError -

Where are the replacement adhesive pull strips? It's odd they are not part of the iFixit kit.

Bruce Abbott -

Der Austausch der Battery brachte mir überraschend nichts, bei eingeschaltetem Bildschirm (ohne Tätigkeit) entladete sich die Batterie in kürzester Zeit. Zufällig sah ich aber beim Verkäufer, dass die meisten Käufer auch ein neues Ladegerät mitbestellten: nun habe ich ein Zweifel, ob man nicht etwa genauso ein neues Ladegerät braucht, um die Batterie "richtig" aufzuladen? Finde ich auch seltsam, dass hier im iFixit darüber nichts gesagt wird.........2)meine Frage ist auch, ob man eine Neu- "Kalibrierung" nach der Installation machen muss?

3.) bei der Neuinstallation der SSD NVMe Speicher wird das Volumen erst gar nicht erkannt, "Time Machine" mit Backup ist leer......wo könnte ich eine Anleitung für die Installation bekommen? MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015)

Prozessor 1,6 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5

Speicher 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Pi Kl -