Battery replacement MacBook Air 15 Early 2024

Before starting, make sure the battery is discharged to below 25% to minimize the risk of fire or injury, as puncturing a charged lithium-ion battery can be hazardous.

• Turn off your MacBook Air completely and disconnect any attached cables.
• Shut the display, then turn the laptop over so the bottom faces upward. Leave the lid closed until you have safely disconnected the battery.

• Place a suction cup at the center of the front edge of the lower case.
• Lift the suction cup upward to create a small opening between the lower case and the frame.
• Slide an opening pick into the created gap.

• Over this step, you’ll notice six clips disengaging with an audible and tactile snap. If a clip remains engaged, push the opening pick further into the gap and try again.
• Move the pick toward the bottom-right corner to release the initial clip.
• Continue sliding the pick around the corner and up along the right edge to detach the next two clips.
• Next, place the pick into the gap created earlier with the suction cup.
• Guide the pick toward the bottom-left corner and then along the left edge to disengage the remaining three clips.

The lower case is secured by four sliding tabs located along the back edge of the MacBook.

Releasing these tabs may require significant force-wearing gloves is recommended to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the case.

• Keep the lower case level and firmly pull it straight back from the rear edge, working one corner at a time to free the sliding tabs.
• Avoid lifting the cover until all tabs are fully disengaged.

• Lift and remove the bottom cover.

When reassembling

• Position the bottom cover in place, aligning the sliding tabs with the screw heads they slide over. Press down and slide the cover toward the rear edge until it stops, indicating the tabs have locked in place.
• As one side engages, the other side may shift out of alignment. Check both sides to ensure there are no gaps along the back edge.
• Once the bottom cover sits flush with the frame, press firmly around the edges to secure the six snapping clips.

You’ll feel and hear a clear click as each clip locks into position.

• Use blunt-tipped tweezers or your fingers to peel away the tape covering the battery connector cover.

When reassembling

• Reuse the existing adhesive to reattach the tape securely over the cover.

• Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to unscrew the two 1.5 mm screws holding the cover in place.

In some cases, screw variations may require a T4 Torx screwdriver instead of a T3. Be mindful of this possibility whenever working with T3 screws during this repair.

• Once the screws are removed, take off the battery connector cover with tweezers.

• Use a pick to carefully lift and disconnect the battery press connector.

When reconnecting

• Position the connector over the socket and gently press down on one side until it snaps into place. Then press down on the opposite side. You may need a few attempts to properly align it.

A small strip of black tape covers two screws on the trackpad cable cover.

• Carefully remove the tape using tweezers.

When reassembling

• Reuse the remaining adhesive to attach the tape back to the cover.

A small amount of adhesive holds the trackpad cable in place on its metal cover.

• Gently pull the trackpad cable to detach it from the adhesive.

When reassembling

• Reapply the leftover adhesive to stick the trackpad cable back to the cover. If it doesn’t stick properly, you can use double-sided tape for extra hold.
• If you have a new trackpad cable with adhesive already applied, peel off the protective liner and press the cable into position.

• Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to unscrew the two 1.5 mm screws holding the trackpad cable cover in place.
• Once the screws are removed, lift off the cover.

• With the pointed end of a spudger, gently lift and detach the trackpad cable press connector from the logic board.

• The trackpad cable is held in place by two small adhesive strips.
• Use an hot plate to heat up the the trackpad cable for about two minutes to loosen the adhesive.

Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer, but be cautious with the heat as it could potentially damage the battery.

• Gently pull the trackpad cable downward to detach it from the frame.

When reassembling

• Use any remaining adhesive to reattach the trackpad cable to the cover. If it doesn't stick properly, double-sided tape can be used instead.
• If you're replacing the cable with one that already has adhesive, simply peel off the liners and press the cable into position.

• Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the six screws holding the battery tray in place:
• Four 4.6 mm screws at the upper edges
• Two 2.5 mm screws in the center

• The battery cells in the MacBook are mounted to a metal tray as one unit.

This metal tray, rather than the individual cells, is attached to the frame using eight stretch-release adhesive strips located along the bottom left and right edges of the device.

• Utilize the pointed tip of a spudger and tweezers to lift the eight pull tabs.
• Avoid pulling on the tabs at this stage.

Removing the adhesive strips requires patience and steady pressure. Avoid pulling them too quickly.

Be careful not to let the strips come into contact with the sharp edge of the frame.

• Slowly pull each strip at a shallow angle, allowing the adhesive to stretch and release without force.
• If needed, adjust your grip closer to the battery to continue pulling. The adhesive will stretch significantly.
• If any part of a strip breaks off, use blunt tweezers to retrieve it from beneath the tray. If you're unable to reach it, proceed to the next tab.

If all eight adhesive strips have been removed successfully, you can skip ahead.

However, if any strips were torn and remain, follow these next steps to detach the remaining adhesive.

• Apply several drops of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (above 90%) near the broken adhesive strips beneath the battery tray.
• Allow the alcohol to sit for about one minute, softening the adhesive.

Ensure the plastic card is placed underneath the battery tray, not between the battery cells and the tray. Avoid attempting to detach any cells from the tray.

• Insert the plastic card beneath the metal tray where the adhesive has come off.
• Slide the plastic card fully under the tray and gently lift to separate any remaining adhesive.

• Lift the battery and gently pull it towards the bottom of the laptop, allowing the battery cable to slide out from underneath the logic board.
• Remove the battery.

During reassembly

• Clear away any remaining adhesive from the frame, then use a microfiber cloth and a few drops of isopropyl alcohol to clean the residue.
• Before removing any adhesive liners, ensure the new battery fits correctly into its compartment.
• When placing a new battery, ensure the cable slides underneath the logic board before securing the new battery.

If the new battery includes adhesive, remove the plastic liners and press each cell firmly into position.

If the new battery lacks adhesive, use stretch-release adhesive or strong double-sided tape to secure it.

• Place the trackpad cable along the bottom edge of the MacBook to keep it clear of the battery.

A bit of adhesive holds the right side of the battery cable to the frame.

• Gently lift and separate the battery cable from the frame.

• Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 4.5 mm screws holding the upper edges of the battery tray.
• Then, use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the center of the battery tray.

The battery cells in the MacBook are mounted on a metal tray, which is a single assembly. This tray is held in place on the frame by eight stretch-release adhesive strips:

• Four on the bottom left corner
• Four on the bottom right corner

• Use tweezers to lift the black pull tab on one of the stretch-release adhesive strips until you're able to grip it with tweezers.
• Gently pull the strip out from beneath the battery at a low angle. Take your time and apply consistent force, allowing the strip to stretch and gradually detach from under the battery tray.

You may need to re-grip the adhesive closer to the laptop and continue pulling in stages, as the adhesive can stretch quite a bit.

• Keep pulling until the adhesive strip is fully removed from underneath the battery tray.
• Repeat the process for the remaining seven adhesive strips.

If you successfully removed all the stretch-release adhesive, great! You can skip the following steps.

However, if any strips broke and the battery is still stuck, proceed with the next steps to remove the remaining adhesive.

• Place a few drops of isopropyl alcohol between the battery and the frame where any adhesive is still present.
• Allow the isopropyl alcohol to sit for one minute to loosen the adhesive.

Ensure the plastic card is positioned under the battery tray, not between the battery and the tray. Avoid attempting to separate the battery cells from the metal tray.

• Slide a plastic card underneath the battery's metal tray.
• Move the plastic card back and forth beneath the tray to cut through the remaining adhesive. You may need to gently lift the battery to access the adhesive.
• If you're having trouble removing the adhesive, apply more isopropyl alcohol and try again.

• Remove the battery assembly.

During reassembly

• Use tweezers to remove any leftover adhesive strips.
• Clean off any adhesive residue with a few drops of isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth.
• Before peeling off any adhesive liners, place the battery into its designated spot and ensure it fits properly.

If your new battery includes adhesive, peel off the plastic liners and press each cell securely into place.

If the new battery does not come with adhesive, use double sided tape to secure it.

• Follow these steps in reverse order to reassemble your MacBook.