MacBook Pro 16" Late 2023 Battery Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

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MacBook Pro 16" Late 2023 Battery Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the battery in your MacBook Pro 16" late 2023 (M3 Pro/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 of the previous model MacBook Pro and may contain slight visual discrepancies, but they won't affect the procedure.

Tools

Parts

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 9.2 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:
Set it in place and align the sliding clips near the screen 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.

Step 8

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

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

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

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 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.

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.

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.

Step 19

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 4 mm pancake 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.

Step 21

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.

Step 22

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.

Step 23

Remove the trackpad assembly.

Step 24

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the two screws securing the battery board:
One 4.5 mm screw
One 3.8 mm screw

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.

Step 26

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

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—but do not pry under the battery.
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.

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 toward the bottom of the MacBook and 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.