Apple to Exchange Qualifying 2012, 2013 MacBook Pros with Newer Models

Due to a “severe constraint” of replacement casings with integrated battery systems for some older-model MacBook Pros, Apple on Monday issued an internal memo to its in-store Genius Bars and Apple-Authorized retailers allowing them to replace customers’ battery-depleted Mid-2012 and Early-2013 MacBook Pros with newer, functionally equivalent models. Alternatively, Apple and its authorized service providers are allowing customers the option to wait until its stock of casings are replenished, in exchange for a free battery replacement service, which would otherwise cost $199 out of warranty.

According to Apple’s internal directive, a copy of which was obtained by MacRumors, the casing/battery system for the aforementioned MacBook Pro models will likely persist until at least September of this year. And even though the shortage has been going on since around March 2017, the directive doesn’t identify the reason that it persists.

Rather, as a temporary solution, Apple is offering eligible customers one of two options: they may choose to delay battery replacement until stock becomes available (and receive a courtesy battery replacement), or, for those unwilling or unable to wait it out, Apple appears to be allowing some customers to swap out their eligible MacBook Pro units for a “functionally equivalent” model.

Unsurprisingly, it seems that an increasing number of affected customers have been opting for the latter solution, with some sharing stories about how Apple has essentially swapped out their older, 2012-2013 MacBook Pro models with significantly newer ones. Reddit user NoTNoS, for example, said that even despite having to wait 10 business days, Apple replaced his Mid-2012, 15-inch MacBook Pro with a brand-new, Mid-2017 MacBook Pro with OLED Touch Bar. He even claims that Apple allowed him to keep his old MacBook throughout the duration of the process; however, he still had to pay the $199 battery service fee.

Other Reddit users, however, have shared stories about their unsuccessful attempts at resolving the same issue, although there have nevertheless been dozens of others who’ve shared similar experiences as NoTNoS — with the majority reporting that they received refurbished, Mid-2015 MacBook Pro models as replacements, and others indicating that they were given even newer, Late-2016 or Mid-2017 models.

Do I Qualify?

In order to potentially qualify, you must be the owner of a Mid-2012 or Early-2013 MacBook Pro with Retina display that requires battery service.

To verify if your MacBook Pro is eligible, you’ll want to check into the machine’s “Health Information”.

1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your macOS menu bar.
2. Click on ‘About This Mac’.
3. Click ‘System Report’.
4. Finally, Click ‘Power’.
5. Under the 
”Health Information” section of the report, you’ll see the machine’s battery cycle count, which should be under 1,000. You’ll also need to make sure the report says to ‘Service Battery’ under the condition section.

NOTE: An eligible “consumed battery,” as per Apple’s definition, is one with a full-charge capacity below 80%. You can use a utility like coconutBattery 3.6.2 to verify if yours meets the criteria.

Once you’ve determined that you’re eligible, you can go ahead and book an appointment with Apple’s in-store Genius Bar, or take your MacBook Pro into an Apple-Authorized retailer, at which point your representative will run a diagnostic test to determine if the battery is indeed in need of servicing. Keep in mind, given the varying accounts from customers, some of whom were successful and some of whom were not, each customer may receive a different offer based on a number of factors including battery mileage and warranty status. Likewise, Apple could decide to stop honoring the terms of this policy at any time, and not all employees may be aware of its existence. So if you feel your qualifying MacBook Pro is eligible, we suggest having your MacBook serviced as soon as possible.

Keep in mind, given the varying accounts from customers, some of whom were successful and some of whom were not, each customer may receive a different offer based on a number of factors including battery mileage and warranty status. Likewise, Apple could decide to stop honoring the terms of this policy at any time, and not all employees may be aware of its existence. So if you feel your MacBook Pro is eligible, we suggest having your MacBook serviced as soon as possible.

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