MacBook Air (13-inch, M5) Battery

Before You Begin

Warning

Read Battery Safety and follow workspace and battery handling guidelines before you begin.

Note: A replacement battery includes battery adhesive, which can also be ordered separately.

• A replacement battery includes battery adhesive, which can be ordered separately.

Removal

Note: If you’ve already completed the removal steps, skip to reassembly.

1. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP 44 mm half-moon bit to remove the two 3IP screws (923-12573) from the trackpad connector cowling.

   

2. Lift the end of the trackpad flex cable off the connector. Leave the cowling attached to the flex cable.

   

3. Use the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver and 4IP 25 mm bit to remove the two 4IP screws (923-12553) (1) from the battery tray.

4. Use the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver and 3IP 25 mm bit to remove the two 3IP screws (923-12549) (2) from the battery tray.

   

5. Use the ESD-safe tweezers to grasp the first battery adhesive tab (1). Gently peel the adhesive tab away from the top case. Then use the ESD-safe tweezers to grasp the second battery adhesive tab (2). Gently peel the adhesive tab away from the top case. Pull both battery adhesive tabs to peel them away from the battery tray and top case (3).

   

   • Important: While grasping the two battery adhesive tabs, pull the adhesive strip past the edge of the top case at a slight upward angle until you’ve removed the entire adhesive strip (4). Pull the adhesive strip slowly. Don’t let the adhesive strip touch the edge of the top case while removing it. Don’t overstretch the adhesive strip. Reposition your grip closer to the battery if needed.

     

6. Repeat step 5 to remove the remaining three battery adhesive strips (2–4). Then continue to step 7.

   

   • Warning

     • If a tab or adhesive strip breaks off and you can still see it, remove any other remaining adhesive strips. Then attempt to retrieve the broken strip with ESD-safe tweezers.

     • If you can’t see a tab, or an adhesive strip breaks off and can't be retrieved, don't forcibly pry the battery. Stop the repair and refer to Battery Safety. A replacement top case and battery are needed to complete the repair.

7. Hold the battery cover by the edges and lift it off the top case.

   

8. Use the black stick to gently release the adhesive between the trackpad flex cable and top case in the areas shown (1, 2). Then move the trackpad flex cable away from the top case.

   • Caution: Don’t fold or crease the flex cable.

     

9. Gently lift the battery and support it from underneath.

   • Caution: Don't touch the middle of the battery (shown in red). Handle the battery by the battery tray only.

     

10. Grasp the battery flex cable and slide it out from under the logic board (1) as you lift the battery out of the top case (2).

    • Warning: Don't remove the battery from the battery tray.

    • Caution: Don't touch the middle of the battery (shown in red). Handle the battery by the battery tray only.

      

Reassembly

1. Use ethanol wipes or IPA wipes to clean any battery adhesive residue from the top case.

2. Fold the tabs on each battery adhesive 90 degrees at the perforated line as shown. Then remove the adhesive backing.

   

3. Align the battery adhesive over the corner of the top case as shown.

   

4. Press the battery adhesive strips onto the top case.

   

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to adhere the second battery adhesive onto the other corner of the top case. Then continue to step 6.

6. Supporting the battery from underneath, gently slide the battery flex cable under the logic board (1) as you lower battery into the top case (2). Ensure that the flex cable is aligned with the battery connector on the logic board.

   • Warning: Don't remove the battery from the battery tray.

   • Caution

     • Don't touch the middle of the battery (shown in red).

     • Handle the battery by the battery tray only.

       

7. Position the battery flex cable alignment tool pins next to the screw holes as shown (1). Then lay the tool flat as you insert the alignment pins into the screw holes (2). Press the end of the battery flex cable to the connector (3).

   

8. Place the battery cover on the battery.

9. Use the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver and 4IP bit to partially reinstall the two 4IP screws (923-12553) into the top corners of the battery tray.

   • Caution: To avoid damaging the battery tray in steps 11 through 13, don't turn the screws more than two clockwise rotations.

     

10. Remove the battery cover from the battery and set it aside.

11. Slightly tilt up the battery tray (1) and support it from underneath.

    • Caution: Don't tilt up the battery more than 1 inch to avoid bending the tray where the two screws are partially installed (2).

      

12. Under one side of the battery tray, use ESD-safe tweezers to grasp the folded tab on the battery adhesive release liner. Then peel the top release liner off the battery adhesive strips. Repeat this step on the other side.

    

13. Lower the battery into the top case.

14. Place the battery cover on the battery.

15. Set the torque value of the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver to 16 Ncm. Then use the adjustable torque driver and 3IP 25 mm bit to reinstall the two 3IP screws (923-12549) (1) into the battery tray.

    

16. Keep the 10–34 Ncm adjustable torque driver value at 16 Ncm. Then use the adjustable torque driver and 4IP bit to fully reinstall the two 4IP screws (923-12553) (2) into the battery tray.

    

17. Remove the battery flex cable alignment tool.

18. Lift the end of the battery flex cable off the connector.

    • Caution: To avoid damaging parts, wait 1 minute for the logic board to discharge before proceeding.

      

19. Press the end of the trackpad flex cable to the connector.

    

20. Gently press the trackpad flex cable in the two areas shown to adhere it to the top case.

    

21. Position the trackpad connector cowling over the connector. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP 44 mm half-moon bit to reinstall the two 3IP screws (923-12573) into the trackpad connector cowling.

    

22. Remove the battery cover from the battery and set it aside.

23. Open the display. Then place the computer in the support frame with the display hanging over the edge of the table.

    

24. Align the holes on the battery press plate over the alignment pins on the support frame. Lower the press plate onto the battery.

    • Caution

      • Before lowering the press plate, ensure that the trackpad flex cable lies flat against the battery.

      • Position the press plate on the battery so the soft pads rest on the battery.

        

25. Place the support frame in the iPhone display press. Ensure that the support frame is aligned with the back of the iPhone display press. Then pull down the lever until it locks.

    

26. Wait until the iPhone display press beeps and the timer shows 0. Pull down the lever slightly (1) and pull out the release knob (2). Then lift the lever (3).

    

27. Remove the support frame from the iPhone display press. Place the support frame near the edge of the table so the display hangs over the edge. Then lift the press plate off the battery.

28. Remove the computer from the support frame. Close the display and place the computer display side down.

29. If there are release liners on the battery adhesive tabs, use ESD-safe tweezers to remove the release liners.

    

30. Use the flat end of the black stick to press the battery adhesive tabs onto the top case.

31. Place the battery cover on the battery. Then press the holes in the battery cover onto the screws in the top case until you feel a click.

    

Reinstall the following part to complete reassembly:

• Bottom case