Apple released a new battery replacement program for 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro models that will not hold a charge greater than one percent.
The replacement program comes bundled with updates to macOS Big Sur (version 11.2.1) and macOS Catalina (version 10.15.7) to fix a bug that prevents the MacBooks affected by loading. However, if the software updates don’t work, MacBook 2016/17 owners can contact Apple for a free battery replacement.
Apple notes that the problem only affects a “very small number of customers” and says that the battery status of affected MacBooks will show “Recommended service.” According to the tech giant, people who see a “Normal” battery status are not affected by the problem.
To check the battery status of your MacBook, follow the steps below depending on your version of macOS:
- macOS Big Sur: Click the Apple menu in the upper left corner> System Preferences> Battery> select Battery in the sidebar> Battery status.
- macOS Catalina or earlier: Hold down the Option key and click the battery icon in the menu bar to see the battery status menu.
Also, you can check if your MacBook is one of the affected models by clicking the ‘Apple’ menu button in the upper left corner> About This Mac and searching for the following models:
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, two Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, four Thunderbolt 3 ports)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017)
It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Apple has released a replacement program for MacBooks 2016/17. In 2018, the company started a program for 13-inch MacBook Pros manufactured between October 2016 and 2017. MacBook Pros manufactured during that period had an issue that could cause the battery to swell if it was not working properly.
Apple has also released a service program for those MacBooks due to keyboard issues that cause certain keys to stop working.
You can learn more about replacement program here.
