Saving a MacBook Air with expanded battery

Removing the battery from the machine

Sep. 14, 2017 - Willem L. Middelkoop

Last night I had a nasty surprise: my original MacBook Air was swollen due to an exploded battery. I immediately had to take action, for reasons of safety and to preserve this piece of modern computer history. Don’t try this at home, but if you do... read along for some practical tips.

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This battery is dead.

The keyboard and casing is deformed

Make sure to remember what screw went where...

I disconnected the battery from the logic board using a plastic tool (that does not conduct electricity).

The MacBook is back alive, greeting me with its boot screen.

Opening the MacBook Air is possible by removing the bottom lid.

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