MacBook Pro M5 Battery Replacement Gets Easier—But Apple's $527 Fix Still Leaves Much to Desire

Apple has taken a small but meaningful step toward making the MacBook Pro more repairable with the release of the M5 model. According to iFixit's comprehensive teardown, the 14-inch and 16-inch M5 models now provide direct access to the pull-tabs securing the central battery cells without requiring trackpad removal Wikipedia. While this represents genuine progress in Apple's often-criticized approach to repairability, the reality remains frustratingly complex for users hoping to extend their laptop's lifespan through simple battery replacements. The Good News: No More Trackpad Removal The M5 MacBook Pro is the first of its kind that lets you replace the battery without having to remove the trackpad Football Web Pages. This seemingly minor design change addresses one of the most tedious aspects of MacBook Pro battery replacement that has plagued previous generations. For the first time in a MacBook Pro, you don't have to remove the trackpad to access the pull tabs that release the central battery cells Sky Sports. This improvement means technicians and brave DIY enthusiasts can skip several delicate steps that previously made battery swaps nerve-wracking affairs. The trackpad removal process, while not impossibly difficult, added unnecessary time and risk to what should be a straightforward maintenance procedure. Additionally, Apple's repair documentation now explicitly includes steps for disconnecting the Battery Management System (BMS) cable safely, signaling a more repair-friendly approach Sky Sports. This procedural guidance helps prevent accidental short circuits and demonstrates Apple is at least thinking about making repairs safer, even if not necessarily easier. The Battery Itself Gets a Minor Upgrade Beyond accessibility improvements, iFixit confirmed that Apple included a slightly upgraded 72.6Wh battery with the latest MacBook Pro compared to its predecessor's 72.4Wh battery Football Web Pages. While this 0.2Wh increase won't revolutionize battery life, it does show Apple continues to optimize component design within the existing chassis constraints. The Bad News: Apple's Expensive Workaround Here's where the story takes a frustrating turn. Even though accessing and removing the battery is not all that difficult, Apple doesn't offer genuine battery replacements in standalone form. Instead, you have to buy the entire top case assembly, which comes with a battery and keyboard Sky Sports. For the previous generation M4 MacBook Pro, the top case kit with battery and keyboard costs $527.12 Sky Sports. This pricing structure transforms what could be a $100-150 repair into a half-thousand-dollar investment that approaches the cost of a new entry-level MacBook Air. For anyone willing to tackle the DIY repair, Apple's Self Service Repair Store only offers a Top Case with Battery and Keyboard in its product parts catalog. Since the only option to replace the battery is buying this main chassis part with both the keyboard and battery pre-installed, MacBook Pro owners will also have to disassemble an irritating number of unrelated screws and hardware — except for the trackpad — just to replace a battery Football Web Pages. The Complex Reality of Apple's Repair Philosophy According to Apple's comments, stand-alone batteries will be available soon, but for the time being, this full-swap need appears to be a policy disguised as a barrier ESPN. This situation raises questions about Apple's true commitment to repairability versus environmental rhetoric. Following Apple's own instructions, the first step is to disconnect the Battery Management System (BMS) cable, which safely cuts power Sky Sports. While this is a thoughtful safety measure, users must then navigate a complex disassembly process that involves removing the logic board, disconnecting multiple flex cables, and carefully managing dozens of tiny screws. Swapping necessitates a complete gut: logic board removed, display detached, Touch ID sensor slid free, ports unplugged, and speakers extracted from glue with isopropyl alcohol. Only the keyboard and speakers remain on the new casing; the former welds to the aluminum shell, while the latter bonds too strongly to transfer ESPN. iFixit's Perspective: Progress, But Not Enough iFixit still gives it a modest 4/10 repairability score Wikipedia, which actually represents a step backward from earlier models. The latest score is a bump down from the M1 MacBook Pro that earned a five out of 10 Football Web Pages. It's enough to make you wonder why Apple doesn't just sell the battery on its own. We've shown that it's totally possible to remove and replace it without touching the rest of the machine Sky Sports. iFixit's frustration reflects a broader industry sentiment that Apple could easily make repairs more accessible but chooses not to. The Environmental and Economic Arguments From a sustainability perspective, Apple's approach seems contradictory to its public environmental commitments. Forcing users to replace entire assemblies rather than individual components generates unnecessary electronic waste. The keyboard attached to the top case assembly is often perfectly functional when battery replacement becomes necessary, yet it gets discarded anyway. Economically, this change could save users hundreds in repair costs and finally move the MacBook Pro a step closer to genuine repairability Wikipedia—but only if Apple actually sells standalone batteries. The current pricing structure effectively pushes many users toward buying new MacBooks rather than repairing existing ones, a decision that benefits Apple's bottom line while contradicting sustainability principles. Thermal Challenges Continue Beyond battery concerns, YouTuber Max Tech reports thermal throttling on the M5 MacBook Pro under heavy workloads, suggesting that the single-fan cooling setup may still be struggling to keep temperatures in check Wikipedia. This issue highlights that repairability isn't the only area where incremental improvements fall short of user needs. What This Means for MacBook Pro Owners For MacBook Pro owners, especially those who carry these machines for years, battery health matters. A degraded battery means shorter runtime, extra heat, and more time spent tethered to a charger Wikipedia. The M5's improved battery access represents meaningful progress for users willing to tackle repairs themselves or visit third-party repair shops. By making the battery easier to access and including a clear, safer disconnect procedure, Apple is finally reducing repair friction and hinting at a shift in its long-criticized repair philosophy Wikipedia. However, the policy restrictions surrounding parts availability undermine these hardware improvements. The iFixit Alternative Of course, you can be sure we'll get standalone batteries for the MacBook Pro M5 as soon as we possibly can. Standalone batteries, no "change out the whole top case and keyboard too" nonsense Sky Sports. Third-party repair specialists like iFixit plan to offer more sensible replacement options, though these won't be genuine Apple parts. Looking Forward: What Needs to Change Keep an eye on Apple's Self Service Repair Store: the day a standalone battery becomes available will mark a real turning point. It'll show that Apple's design tweak wasn't just a one-off improvement, but the start of a genuine shift toward easier MacBook maintenance Wikipedia. For Apple to truly embrace repairability, several changes are necessary: Standalone Component Sales: Apple must offer individual parts rather than forcing expensive assembly purchases. Batteries, displays, and keyboards should be available separately. Simplified Disassembly: While the trackpad improvement helps, the requirement to remove the logic board for most repairs remains unnecessarily complex. Better Documentation: While Apple now provides repair guides, they should be more comprehensive and encourage rather than discourage self-repair. Fair Pricing: Component pricing should reflect actual part costs, not serve as a deterrent to push users toward new purchases. The Bigger Picture: Right to Repair This situation exists within the broader context of the Right to Repair movement, which has gained significant legislative momentum. Several U.S. states and international jurisdictions have passed or are considering laws requiring manufacturers to provide reasonable access to parts, tools, and documentation for repairs. Apple has responded to this pressure with its Self Service Repair program, but critics argue the program's complexity and pricing make it more performative than practical. The M5 MacBook Pro's battery situation exemplifies this tension between nominal repairability and practical accessibility. Conclusion: Progress With Caveats For now, this redesign is a meaningful step forward, at least in the battery department Wikipedia. Apple deserves credit for eliminating the trackpad removal requirement and improving safety documentation. These changes demonstrate that Apple is listening to repair advocates and making tangible, if incremental, improvements. However, the refusal to sell standalone batteries at reasonable prices significantly undermines these hardware improvements. A $527 battery replacement that requires extensive disassembly doesn't represent genuine repairability—it represents a slightly less difficult repair that remains prohibitively expensive and complex for most users. For consumers, the takeaway is simple: less hassle, slightly cheaper maintenance, and a bit more control over a component that inevitably wears out. It's not a revolution, but it's real progress Wikipedia. Whether Apple builds on this foundation or treats it as sufficient progress remains to be seen. For MacBook Pro owners considering the M5, this improved battery design is welcome but shouldn't be oversold. If you're hoping for truly accessible repairs, third-party specialists may remain your best option. If Apple's official repair ecosystem is your preference, prepare for complexity and cost that don't match the relatively simple nature of battery replacement. The M5 MacBook Pro's battery situation ultimately represents Apple at a crossroads: genuine commitment to sustainability and repairability, or continued prioritization of revenue streams from new device sales and expensive official repairs. The next generation will reveal which path Apple truly intends to follow.