Intel-based Apple Portables: How to swap a removable battery when a power adapter is not connected

To replace the battery in your Intel-based Apple portable, first put the computer into sleep mode or power down the computer.
Note: Your portable must have a user-removable battery. Do not attempt this procedure with MacBook Air, MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) and later, or MacBook Pro (Early 2009) and later computers, which have batteries that should be replaced only by an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

Put your computer to sleep

1. Choose Sleep from the Apple () menu in the upper-left of the display, or simply close the lid on the portable computer. Be sure to wait for the white sleep light on the front of the computer to start pulsing before you proceed to the next step.
   Note: As the computer goes to sleep, it will save the contents of the RAM (Random Access Memory) to the computer's hard disk. 
2. Remove the battery; the sleep light will turn off and the computer will enter Safe Sleep mode.
3. Insert the new battery.
4. Open the lid on the computer and press the power button. The computer should start up and, using safe sleep, your system will resume where it left off when you put it to sleep.
   Note: For more information about safe sleep, see Apple Portables: Progress bar appears after waking from sleep.

Shut down the computer

1. Power the computer off by choosing Shut Down from the Apple () menu in the upper-left of the display. 
2. While the computer is powered off, remove the installed battery and insert the replacement battery.

How to remove and install a removable battery

Refer to these articles for specific steps to remove and reinstall batteries in your Intel-Based Apple Portable with removable batteries:

• MacBook: How to remove or install the battery
• MacBook Pro: How to remove or install the battery