Apple has simplified the battery replacement process for the 14-inch M5 MacBook Pro, allowing self-service repair program users to replace only the battery, without removing other internal components.
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Until now, manually replacing the battery in the M5 MacBook Pro, which is Apple's only MacBook Pro with an M5 processor, required replacing several modules along with the battery itself. However, the new process Apple has introduced only requires removing the bottom case and the battery management module flex cable before accessing the battery.
Apple is now selling individual battery modules through its Self Service Repair. In addition to the cost of the necessary repair tools, a battery replacement costs $209.25, while users can get a $22.50 by returning their old battery.
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Apple has also published a detailed repair guide to guide users and independent repair shops through the process. The guide includes step-by-step instructions for safely removing the back case, discharging the battery, removing the adhesive tapes from the old battery, and installing the new unit.
The change addresses a concern that iFixit raised in its teardown of the M5 MacBook Pro in October, which found that replacing the battery was one of the most difficult aspects of repairing the device. Still, with 14 disassembly steps and 27 assembly steps, it's probably a task most users would rather leave to a professional.
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Apple launched its self-service repair program in 2022, giving customers access to genuine parts, tools, and repair guides for select iPhones, iPads, Macs, Studio Displays, and Beats Pill speakers. The company says the program is “intended for individuals who are experienced with the intricacies of repairing electronics.”
