How bad is an inflated Macbook battery?

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Level 1

4 points

How bad is an inflated Macbook battery?

The screws have been starting to fall off the bottom panel and I’ve been noticing this for a few months, but only recently has it really been pushing. I decided to take a look, and it seems like there were rubber bubbles pushing on the panel. Eventually I found out those were probably the batteries.

Since then, I’ve unplugged the charger, shut it down and it’s currently living under a bucket in my basement just in case anything happens.

How bad actually is an inflated battery? Everything I’ve seen only just tells me that I should replace it. I don’t really want to do this because it’s out of warranty, and I’ll be getting a new pc in a few months anyways. Until then, I don’t NEED to use it, and it’s only purpose left would be to transfer all my data to the new computer. According to the Apple website, a replacement should set me back around $259, which is not money I want to spend if I don’t have to. So now my question is, do I really have to replace it if I won’t be using it all that much?

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.14

Posted on Jun 13, 2020 6:48 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 13, 2020 7:30 PM in response to brandonphlo

Stop. Using. This.

How bad? What can happen? Other than increasing damage to the MacBook due to the swelling, and the risk of fire and of personal injury inherent here with the continued use of a failing lithium ion battery, and all of which you’re already aware of?

Battery failures—though rare—are usually impressive when they do deflagrate. And beyond the fire, the fumes generated are quite poisonous.

Understanding how Lithium-ion batteries fail

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Answer 2

Jun 14, 2020 8:08 AM in response to brandonphlo

brandonphlo wrote:

According to the Apple website, a replacement should set me back around $259, which is not money I want to spend if I don’t have to. So now my question is, do I really have to replace it if I won’t be using it all that much?

You do not say what exact Mac is this...

see if you qualify:

13-inch MacBook Pro (non Touch Bar) Battery Replacement Program- October 2016 and October 2017

https://support.apple.com/13inch-macbookpro-battery-replacement

15-inch MacBook Pro Battery Recall Program- September 2015 and February 2017

https://support.apple.com/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall

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Answer 3

Jun 14, 2020 4:09 PM in response to brandonphlo

Definitely check the links leroydouglas sent through, you may be eligible for a free battery replacment.

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Answer 4

Jun 13, 2020 6:54 PM in response to brandonphlo

Swollen Batteries in any devices are incredibly dangerous. Lithium-Ion batteries (the ones which are used in your MacBook Pro and all other Apple devices) contain extremely reactive chemicals and when exposed to air or moisture, can spontaneously combust regardless of whether you are actively using the device or not.

I would strongly suggest you Get Support and replace the battery at your earliest convenience.

For more information on Apple Lithium-Ion batteries, visit Batteries - Apple

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