Your MacBook Pro Could Be Eligible For Apple’s Swollen Battery Replacement Program

If you have a 13-inch MacBook Pro that lacks the Touch Bar and was made between October 2016 and October 2017, Apple is replacing the battery in some of the machines. Apple has determined that on a limited number of instances, a component may fail and lead to the integrated battery expanding. Expanding batteries have in the past been linked to fires, but it seems that isn’t the case here.

Apple is clear that this isn't a safety issue and that it will replace eligible batteries at no cost. Eligibility for the battery replacement program is linked to the serial number of the laptop. Owners of MacBook Pro notebooks built in the date range mentioned before can go to the Apple support page for this issue and a tool is provided to check if the notebook is eligible for a battery replacement.

If your machine is eligible, the replacement process involves one of three options and the service could take 3-5 days to complete. You can opt to use an Apple Authorized Service Provider, make an appointment at an Apple Retail Store, or mail your device to the Apple Repair Center. If you choose to go into an Apple Retail Store, your machine could still be sent to the Apple Repair Center.

Apple warns that the machine will be examined prior to any service to verify it is eligible for the program and in working order. Anyone bringing their device for service should back up their data. This program doesn't extend the standard warranty coverage of the notebook. Apple will cover machines under this program for the first five years after the retail sale of the unit. Apple is also offering users who paid out of pocket to replace the battery on notebooks covered under this program a refund.