On this page
- 1. The case is swelling, or the trackpad clicks oddly
- 2. macOS says Service Recommended or Replace Now
- 3. Cycle count is past 1,000
- 4. It shuts down suddenly at 20–40%
- 5. Runtime has collapsed
- 6. It runs hot and the fans never stop
- 7. It won't charge past a fixed percentage, or charges only when off
- What it costs and how long it takes
1. The case is swelling, or the trackpad clicks oddly
This is the one that matters. A lithium cell that swells pushes upward on the trackpad and outward on the bottom case. Symptoms are a trackpad that feels stiff or won't click, a laptop that rocks on a flat table, or a visible gap at the seam.
Stop using it. A swollen cell is a genuine fire risk, it will crack your trackpad and eventually your display, and it gets worse every day. This is not a 'next month' repair.
2. macOS says Service Recommended or Replace Now
Hold Option and click the battery icon, or check System Settings → Battery → Battery Health. Anything other than 'Normal' means macOS has already decided the cell is out of spec.
3. Cycle count is past 1,000
Open System Information → Power. Apple rates most modern MacBook batteries for 1,000 cycles before capacity drops below 80%. Past that number, degradation accelerates.
4. It shuts down suddenly at 20–40%
A worn cell can't sustain the current draw the CPU demands under load, so voltage collapses and the machine dies without warning. The percentage reading is meaningless at that point.
5. Runtime has collapsed
If a machine that used to manage eight hours now gives you ninety minutes of the same work, that's capacity loss, not a software problem.
6. It runs hot and the fans never stop
A failing cell generates heat and confuses the power management controller. Combined with dried thermal paste and a dust-packed fan, this is why a five-year-old MacBook feels slow — and why a battery plus a thermal service often transforms it.
7. It won't charge past a fixed percentage, or charges only when off
Usually the battery, sometimes the charging board or the USB-C port. Worth a free diagnosis before you buy a battery you may not need.
What it costs and how long it takes
Budget roughly ₹8,900 for a MacBook Air and ₹10,900 for a MacBook Pro, depending on model and generation. Most are done the same day.
Do not buy a cheap battery online and fit it yourself unless you know what you're doing. Modern MacBook batteries are glued into the top case, the adhesive needs the right solvent, and puncturing a lithium cell while levering it out is exactly as bad as it sounds.
Frequently asked
Is a swollen MacBook battery dangerous?
Yes. A swollen lithium cell can vent or ignite, and it will mechanically damage your trackpad and display long before that. Power the machine down, stop charging it, and get it replaced.
How many cycles should a MacBook battery last?
Apple rates most current models for 1,000 cycles to 80% capacity, which is typically four to six years of normal use.
Can I keep using a MacBook with a bad battery?
Plugged in, sometimes — but not if it's swelling. And a degraded cell often forces the CPU to throttle, so the machine feels slow even on mains power.
Will replacing the battery make my old MacBook faster?
Often, yes. Between throttling caused by a weak cell and heat from a clogged cooling system, a battery plus a thermal service makes a noticeable difference on machines five years and older.
Want us to look at it?
Free diagnosis at our Margao store, a fixed quote before any work, and six months of written warranty.