Battery replacement MacBook Pro 14 Late 2023 (M3)

Let your MacBook's battery discharge to under 10% before beginning this repair. A charged battery poses a fire risk if accidentally damaged.

Completely power off your MacBook, close the lid, and turn it upside down. Ensure the lid remains closed until you have disconnected the battery physically.

Disconnect the MagSafe charger and remove any attached accessories from your MacBook.

During this repair, carefully organize the screws and ensure each one is returned to its original location.

Use a PL4 pentalobe screwdriver to remove the eight screws securing the bottom cover:

- Four 9.2 mm screws along the rear edge near the screen hinge.

- Four 5 mm screws along the front edge near the trackpad.

The lower case is held in place by sliding clips along the back edge of the MacBook. To release these clips, shift the lower case away from the hinge area.

Insert the flat end of a spudger between the lower case and the hinge on the right side of the screen.

Use the spudger to push the lower case away from the hinge.

Repeat the process on the left hinge.

Once the sliding clips along the back edge are disengaged, four additional clips keep the lower case attached to the frame:

- Two clips are positioned near the frame cutouts

- Two clips are located near the center of the lower case

As you separate the lower case from the frame, you'll notice and feel a clear "pop" as each of these clips is released.

Be cautious not to insert your spudger more than 1 cm (slightly under half an inch) near the front of the speaker openings to prevent speaker damage.

Position the flat end of your spudger at the front of the cutout on the right side of the frame.

Glide the spudger toward the rear of the cutout and gently lift to release the two clips on the right side.

Repeat this process at the left-side speaker opening to free the two clips on the left side.

Lift and remove the lower case.

To reattach the lower case:

Position it over the MacBook, aligning the sliding clips with the back edge. Push down gently and slide it toward the back to lock the clips into place.

As you secure one side, the other side may shift. Verify both sides remain aligned as you proceed.

Once the back corners are properly seated and flush with the frame, press along the center of the lower case to snap the remaining four clips into position.

You’ll hear and feel a distinct click as each clip secures.

Although your MacBook Pro 14 employs some Torx Plus screws, standard Torx screwdrivers can be used. Apply steady, downward pressure to prevent stripping the screws.

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to take out the two 2.1 mm-long 3IP Torx Plus screws that hold the trackpad connector cover in place.

Detach and set aside the trackpad connector cover with tweezers.

Using the flat end of a spudger, gently lift and disconnect the trackpad press connector from the logic board.

When reconnecting press connectors:

Ensure proper alignment. Gently press down on one side until it clicks into position, then do the same on the opposite side. Avoid applying excessive force, as misalignment can damage the pins and cause irreversible harm.

The trackpad cable is lightly adhered to the battery board.

Carefully lift the trackpad cable away from the battery board and drape it over the front edge of the MacBook.

Take care to avoid bending or damaging the cable during this process.

The battery data cable is attached to both the battery board and logic board. In the upcoming steps, you’ll be disconnecting it, loosening the adhesive, and removing it.

Heat a plate and apply it to the battery data cable for 30 seconds to help loosen the adhesive.

If you don’t want to use a plate, a hair dryer can also be used to gently warm the cable.

Be cautious not to overheat the battery, as it could present a fire risk.

Use tweezers to carefully lift the tape that covers the ZIF connector for the battery data cable on the battery board.

Gently use the tip of your spudger to lift the locking flap on the battery data cable's ZIF connector located on the battery board.

With the help of tweezers, carefully pull the connector straight out from its socket to disconnect it from the battery board.

Use tweezers to carefully lift the tape that is covering the connector on the logic board.

Insert the tip of your spudger beneath the small locking flap on the logic board's battery data ZIF connector and gently lift it open.

Use tweezers to carefully grasp the end of the cable and pull it directly out of the socket to detach it from the logic board.

The cable is gently attached to both the battery board and the logic board.

Insert the edge of an opening pick between the top part of the battery data cable and the logic board to break the adhesive bond.

Next, slide the opening pickbetween the lower part of the cable and the large silver screw to detach the remaining adhesive.

Disconnect and remove the battery data cable from its connection.

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the 3.9 mm long 5IP Torx Plus screw that holds the main battery connector in place.

Use the flat edge of your spudger to carefully lift the main battery connector off the battery board, ensuring the battery is disconnected.

Lift the connector just enough to prevent accidental contact during the repair, but no more than 45 degrees to avoid damaging it.

For extra protection, you can place a non-conductive object, like a piece of a paper, between the connector and the board.

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the ten 5.8 mm-long 5IP Torx Plus screws holding the trackpad in place.

When reassembling:

You might need to open your MacBook to verify proper alignment while tightening the screws. Ensure the trackpad is positioned so its edges don't make contact with the frame.

Carefully lift the MacBook's body away from the screen, ensuring the trackpad cable is guided smoothly through its cutout.

The trackpad will stay attached to the screen.

When reassembling:

Ensure all screw holes are properly aligned with the frame before lowering the body onto the trackpad.

Ensure you keep track of the six small metal washers attached to the trackpad’s screw posts. These washers are essential for the trackpad to sit evenly within the frame.

Lay the MacBook Pro 14 flat so the body rests against the screen.

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to take out the 4.1 mm-long 5IP Torx Plus screw holding the battery board in place.

Ensure the battery connector is properly seated within the frame to avoid damage when flipping the device.

Place a soft cloth on your workspace for protection.

Carefully flip your MacBook onto the cloth and open the screen slightly to access the trackpad area.

The battery in your MacBook is held in place by 14 stretch-release adhesive strips.

The next five steps will guide you through removing these strips to release the battery.

Six of these strips can be reached through the trackpad opening.

The other eight strips are located along the edges of the outer battery cells.

Use blunt nose tweezers to grab the black pull tab of an adhesive strip through its designated cutout in the frame.

Firmly hold the entire length of the pull tab and pull it slowly, steadily, and at a low angle to remove it from beneath the battery cell. Twist your tweezers to wind the adhesive strip around it as you pull.

Allow the strip to stretch gradually. Avoid letting it drag over the frame while pulling.

If using your fingers, regrip the strip often to maintain even tension and prevent it from snapping.

Repeat this process for the other five adhesive strips accessible from the trackpad opening.

If a strip breaks: atempt to retrieve it from under the battery. If it remains stuck, move on to the next step to remove the remaining strips, and refer to alternate methods for removing the stubborn battery cells later.

Handle your MacBook Pro 14 carefully, as the center battery cells may have loosened. While they won't fall out, ensure they don't place strain on any cables or components.

Close the screen and flip your MacBook so that the battery side faces upward.

Each of the four outer battery cells has two pull tabs located along their outer edges.

Avoid using sharp or metal tools near the battery, as these could cause damage or puncture it.

With an opening pick, carefully lift the edge of one adhesive strip's pull tab.

Use blunt-tip tweezers to grab the pull tab and gently detach it from the edge of the battery cell.

Firmly hold the entire pull tab and gently pull it out at a low angle, keeping the motion slow and steady to avoid snapping. As you pull, twist your tool to wrap the adhesive around it for better control.

Allow the adhesive strip sufficient time to stretch, and ensure it doesn’t drag across the speaker area to prevent damage.

If using your fingers, adjust your grip frequently to maintain even tension and minimize the risk of tearing the strip.

Repeat the process for the remaining seven adhesive strips.

If a strip breaks and cannot be retrieved from under the battery, proceed to the next step for an alternative method to detach the battery.

If all 14 adhesive strips have been removed, the battery can now be taken out. If not, follow the next three steps to dissolve the remaining adhesive using isopropyl alcohol and an opening pick.

Open the screen and place a paper towel or soft cloth between the screen and the trackpad area to shield the display from any leftover isopropyl alcohol.

Lift the side of your MacBook Pro 14 where the remaining adhesive strips are located.

Using a pipette or syringe, place several drops of high-concentration isopropyl alcohol (above 90%) along the outer edges of the battery cells that are stuck.

Allow one minute for the isopropyl alcohol to seep under the battery cells and loosen the adhesive.

Avoid damaging or distorting the battery cells. If they resist, add a few more drops of isopropyl alcohol and give it another try.

Place the flat side of an opening pick between the battery cell and the speaker area.

Gently and carefully pry the battery cell upwards.

If the adhesive is particularly strong, maintain pressure for up to a one minute to allow it to loosen.

Follow the same method for any other cells that remain stuck.

For replacing with a new battery:

Remove any leftover adhesive strips from the frame.

Use isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free or microfiber cloth to clean the frame.

If your new battery has pre-applied adhesive, peel off the liners and press each cell firmly into position.

If your battery does not come with adhesive, apply a few strips of thin double-sided tape to each cell and press them securely into place.

Follow these steps in reverse order to reassemble your MacBook Pro 14.