Apple

Apple support MacBook battery changes on machines up to 10 years old, but only directly from the Genius Bar at an Apple retail store, and it’s then shipped away to be completed.

It’s a truly painful process, whereby it’s only subject to availability, you can’t see if a battery is available before attending, (I live 80 miles from my nearest store) and you can’t mail in the machine.

I had one done recently, and the “new” battery itself was physically 6 years old, and now only holds its charge for a couple of hours and Apple won’t do anything about it.

So, not impossible, but it should be easier.

Vintage, Obsolete and other terms have existed for years, this isn't new whatsoever. So what if they don't want to do the battery? Let them lose the revenue and take it somewhere else or do it yourself. This is 2023, nearly 2024 we have guides, access to parts and tools. There's no reason not to get it done.

Okay, so Apple is hellbent on not allowing other stores to fix or replace parts, but at the same time they leave customers in the dark with perfectly decent laptops.

You're confused, there are authorized and non-authorized repair centers. There's also nothing proprietary about doing a battery. Do not confuse a battery replacement on a laptop for displays on a phone - they're different.

All these batteries you find will only be online, you're not gonna get it offline you have to order it bud. Or you can take it to a shop - they have to get the parts. That's their problem not yours.

ifixit battery if you want another method.

Here's the guide in written form, and here in video form and here

marketing and financial tactic.

Following

get a third party battery, replace it yourself

your only option will be to take it to an (and this is an Apple term) "UNAUTHORIZED REPAIRER who could also install malware on your computer). they'll likely replace it with an aftermarket battery - simply because Apple doesn't sell them any more.

Your alternative is to watch youtube videos, read the ifixit battery replacement guides, and then do it yourself. The important thing to note is the retinas have glued in batteries - apparently screws make laptops thicker (even though the battery on the airs are screwed in 🤷‍♂️). 99% isopropyl alcohol will help greatly in disoling the glue.

Ifixit might have both battery and video on how to replace.

Throw out the old computer and buy a new one.

Apple cares about the environment, by the way.

I got a new battery in my 2015 MacBook at an Apple store about six months ago. Cost about $300 CAD everything included.

Does the laptop still get security patches? That’s what I’d worry about most…

Order a battery directly from OWC and replace it yourself. They mail it to you so you don’t have go anywhere and they have great videos on line showing you how to perform the replacement. It is not difficult.

I thought the Early 2015 MBP was still supported until Fall 2024. So it should be still be fine.

That said is is really easy to replace the battery yourself if you can follow a guide. And I do think it is fine for Apple to drop support on a laptop after 9 years.

This isn’t a conspiracy. Apple just doesn’t want to support its older products.

The 2015 Macbook is not "over 7 years old", it's almost 9 years old, and it's a good chance that Apple either does not carry parts for such an old machine or they don't want to deal with the liability of performing out-of-warranty service for such an old Mac, because if anything goes wrong they have to take responsibility for it. I'm just giving you my take.

Like others said your only option is to find a 3rd party local repair shop and have the install a 3rd party non-Apple battery if you want to keep using it.

wait, are the chinese made battery that bad? Im about to buy one myself for my 2017 mbp and your comment scares me. I can accept if it won;t last at long (not 1000 cycles), that's fine. But fire hazard?

What’s the cost of a battery change?

I grabbed a used M1 for $660 CAD so maybe upgrading to a used, newer model might be worthwhile?

Right to repair, it’s a great movement.

And this is why you do not have to “future proof” your Mac but just get what you need now. New tech will outpace old tech very quickly.

Third party batteries are all poop. All of them.

Find a nice used one with a low cycle count on eBay or similar.