Apple is responding to reports of 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro laptops not charging beyond one percent by offering to replace the battery for free.
On the support page for the fault, Apple explains, “A very small number of customers with 2016 and 2017 MacBook Pro computers have experienced an issue with the battery not charging past 1%. The battery health status on these devices will also indicate “Service Recommended.” If the status indicates that your battery is Normal, your battery is not affected by this issue.”
The affected models are:
- 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)
If this issue hasn’t happened to your 2016-17 MacBook Pro, Apple released a macOS update to prevent it from happening. However, if it’s already happened, you need to contact Apple and the battery will be replaced free of charge. As usual, Apple makes it clear “your computer will be examined prior to service to verify that it is eligible for the free battery replacement.”
Updating macOS requires choosing System Preferences from the Apple Menu then clicking “Software Update.” The supplemental update will either appear for macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 or later or macOS Catalina 10.15.7. In the same System Preferences menu on macOS Big Sur you can also click “Battery” and then click “Battery Health” to check the state of the battery at any time. macOS Catalina users can achieve the same by holding the Option key and clicking the battery icon.
