mrdmitryc wrote:
Hi everyone, I’m hoping to get some attention regarding an issue with Apple’s service policy.
I own a MacBook Pro M1 Max (2021) and I’m still very happy with it. However, in Estonia (an EU country where I live), an Apple Premium Reseller charges €720 / $850 to replace the battery. They say that if the battery is significantly degraded, you get a 50% discount, which would probably be fair since you also receive a new top case.
The problem is that my battery health is at 79% and I’m getting a “Service Recommended” message, but this is apparently not a valid reason for the discount. It seems the battery would need to be swollen or otherwise physically damaged before they consider it significantly degraded.
I don't know what the rules are in the EU, but in the US a laptop qualifies for a Battery Only repair if the battery shows as "Service Recommended", or fails the Apple Diagnostics.
FYI, I think your battery has some major health issues if you are getting a "Service Recommended" battery condition for a battery at 79% health. For the past two years none of the laptops I service have gotten a "Service Recommended" condition even when the battery drops way below 79% health. Apple changed something in macOS with Sequoia...including the Apple Diagnostics (consumer & even the service diagnostics).
Unfortunately I cannot find any public Apple articles to share which clearly states Apple's stance on battery replacements. The best I can find is that Apple will replace the battery under warranty if the health drops below 80%. Taking that a bit further would imply an out of warranty repair would be a battery only price. Here is the Apple article I was reading (it doesn't show any regional options in the URL, so I'm not sure what the equivalent article would be for the EU), but it should give you an option to get Apple's pricing for various repairs including the battery....maybe show that to the repair tech since Apple doesn't mention any conditions other than run time issues, health less than 80%, and "Service Recommended" conditions (at least in the US version I can access):
https://support.apple.com/mac/repair
Here is another Apple article about the "Service Recommended" condition....unfortunately Apple does not specifically mention any "battery only" repair pricing....just a link to Get Service.
Here is the US article for reference:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/108376
Here is a general reference to this document which should resolve to your region specific article which will have precedence of course:
https://support.apple.com/108376
I find it hard to believe the EU would be any different for this, since it is ridiculous to think a $500+ repair to replace the Top Case Assembly for just a worn out battery makes any sense when Apple offers a Battery Only repair price for that Top Case Assembly for much less. It is not like you are only complaining of an unsubstantiated battery run time issue that cannot be easily reproduced.....macOS itself is claiming it is time to service the battery.
I would ask to speak with the store manager and if no satisfaction, then contact your regional Apple online support to see if they can mark your laptop with a code to allow for the Battery only price. If still no satisfaction, then contact the regional Apple corporate office.
Is it this bad everywhere? Do all service providers strictly follow Apple’s policy like this?
I've seen a lot of questionable tactics for other regions being reported on this forum. It is possible in some regions the rules are significantly different. However, I also believe some of it may be due to repair techs not understanding Apple's rules....Apple isn't always clear with their documentation. I can also see a less scrupulous repair tech claiming the more expensive repair option to you, then getting the part from Apple for the battery only price & pocketing the money. It is one of the problems Apple created when gluing the battery into a larger assembly & not allowing just the physical battery to be replaced. Unfortunately no one knows since Apple is all about secrecy.
I’m even considering flying to Sweden, where there is an official Apple Store, but that sounds crazy in 2026
That may not be an option since to replace the battery requires having the Top Case/Keyboard Assembly replaced since the Battery is glued to it. The Keyboard has regional variations. As long as Sweden has that exact same regional variation as your laptop, then it may be an option. If Sweden uses a different regional keyboard variation, then you likely cannot get it repaired in Sweden. Any other part should be available.
Please let us know how things work out.
