Why does my MacBook Pro only work with the charger plugged in?

if you need a battery, then depending on the age of the machine, you could source an Apple Original battery and have your local Apple Store replace the battery,

but if the Mac is too old, I would recommend shopping at OWC’s website to source the battery. and they also have battery self install videos on their site. from those, you can determine if it is an operation you could handle yourself or if you will need to farm it out.

as far as possibly needing a software update / upgrade, you should leave it connected to electricity while updating / upgrading even if you replace the battery. but you could of course update the Mac even if you don't replace the battery.

The quality of third party Lithium batteries is extremely poor. I would only purchase a third party Lithium battery from OWC or iFixIt. This forum is full of posts where people have had issues with Lithium batteries purchased from other vendors.

OWC has a video showing the replacement process and iFixIt has a written repair guide with pictures.

You must be very careful replacing the battery yourself. OWC even recommends to have a professional replace the battery. There are a lot of posts on this forum where people accidentally damaged their laptop (usually damaging the Logic Board). You must "calibrate" the third party replacement battery in order for it to function properly. I know other high level contributors may frown on this calibration process, but I believe it is necessary and not exactly a calibration like it was for the NiMH batteries....I think it is just the best way to "exercise" the new battery before using it under heavy load. Perhaps it is coincidence, but the one battery I did not calibrate ended up failing right away.

ariadnetsarnas98 Said:

"Why does my MacBook Pro only work with the charger plugged in?: Gifted a used Macbook Pro, only works with the charger plugged in, and possibly needs a general software update"

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Some links to go by...

Troubleshooting Mac Power:

A. Black Mac Screen:

Go Here: If your Mac doesn't Turn On or Start Up - Apple Support

Using External Devices: Try Resetting the SMC and NVRAM, but this time, using an external keyboard. Connect an external monitor and see if you get an output.

B. Mac Power Issues:

Try a New Charger:

If it is currently charging from a charger, then use a new charger:

• Power & Cables - Mac Accessories - Apple - Select "Mac Compatibility" on the left
• Find the right power adapter and cable for your Mac notebook - Apple Support

C. A Few Links to Refer to Power:

• If your Mac doesn't Turn On - Apple Support

• How to Turn your Mac On or Off - Apple Support

• About Mac Notebook Batteries - Apple Support

• Charge the MacBook Pro Battery - Apple Support

• If your Mac Battery won't Charge - Apple Support 

A1502 actually covers three model years of 13 inch MBPs.

you can use Apple Menu > About This Mac to find exactly which model year MBP you have.