My old MacBook Pro died, and we had a tech friend install a new battery. It worked for a shot time, & then died. I am looking for some way to disable any data that may be on the device. I was going to take it off of the iCloud sharing since I can't even access the data there now. Any ideas? It is a 15" bought in 2015 with latest software update on it. Not sure I can even sell it, since it won't start.
MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.15
Here is what Apple suggests users should do when getting rid of their old Mac:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201065
Since your laptop won't power on you could remove the hard drive or SSD and install the drive into a USB enclosure so that you can connect it to another Mac so that you can retrieve your data and to securely erase the drive. If you have a Retina model laptop, then you will need to purchase the proper OWC Envoy Pro Enclosure for your SSD.
If your friend installed a third party battery into the laptop, then perhaps the replacement battery is defective. The quality of third party Lithium-ion batteries is extremely poor. Also a bad battery or a drained battery can prevent an Apple laptop from even powering on. I would suggest to first try an SMC reset. If this doesn't work, then disconnect the battery and try powering on the laptop while the battery is still disconnected. You may need to perform an SMC reset again as well. If this works, then you at least know the battery is the most likely cause of the problem and it will allow you to prepare your Mac for disposal.
Here is what Apple suggests users should do when getting rid of their old Mac:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201065
Since your laptop won't power on you could remove the hard drive or SSD and install the drive into a USB enclosure so that you can connect it to another Mac so that you can retrieve your data and to securely erase the drive. If you have a Retina model laptop, then you will need to purchase the proper OWC Envoy Pro Enclosure for your SSD.
If your friend installed a third party battery into the laptop, then perhaps the replacement battery is defective. The quality of third party Lithium-ion batteries is extremely poor. Also a bad battery or a drained battery can prevent an Apple laptop from even powering on. I would suggest to first try an SMC reset. If this doesn't work, then disconnect the battery and try powering on the laptop while the battery is still disconnected. You may need to perform an SMC reset again as well. If this works, then you at least know the battery is the most likely cause of the problem and it will allow you to prepare your Mac for disposal.
If the computer will not run, use a hammer on the drive/ssd.
It's a shame. I have a mid-2015 MacBook Pro and it is working really well and have been.
Before you had the battery replaced by a friend, did you check to see whether it qualified for a free battery replacement program by Apple? Some 2015 MacBook Pros are included in that program. If you know the serial number then you can check here ➔ 15inch MacBook Pro Battery Recall Program - Apple Support. Not sure how it will help now since the battery has been replaced and not sure whether it has been replaced correctly.
Axel F.
I actually took the MAC to an Apple dealer last year, and they replaced the battery because of the recall program. They are not answering their phone messages I have left them. Our tech friend ordered another one & installed it. He said the soldered joints had failed. So, at this point, we are at a loss what to do with it.
What to do with old MacBook Pro
