If you have an older model of MacBook Pro with a dead battery, you may be wondering if it’s still going to work. Don’t worry! You can still use your MacBook, but there are a few things to keep in mind when deciding to do so.
A MacBook Pro will run even without a battery but only at half speed. Running a MacBook with no battery helps conserve its charge cycles to extend battery lifespan. However, it’s not recommended to use the device while its battery is removed.
It’s important to understand how to use a MacBook without a battery to prolong its battery life. I have included the best tips on how to turn on your MacBook Pro in case the battery dies and how to run it without the battery, so keep reading to learn some useful hacks.
Can You Run a Macbook Pro Without a Battery?
Most MacBook models will work without a battery but at reduced performance. MacBook Pro will work just fine by connecting it directly to AC power. You can physically remove the battery, and it will still run. Nevertheless, macOS will limit its speed to prevent the device from drawing too much current.
Without a battery, your MacBook will automatically turn down power consumption to ensure sufficient power. Otherwise, the device will crash at certain times and affect its overall performance. Therefore, it’s better to leave the battery in regardless of how little the remaining charge is left unless it’s swollen.
If you use your Mac without the battery, you will notice how it becomes slower and runs worse on AC power due to the device detecting something wrong. As a result, it will crash more often and even shut down unexpectedly. Experts say that using MacBook Pro without a battery may lead to data loss and, even worse, damage to the device.
How to Run a MacBook With No Battery
If you want to run your MacBook with a completely dead battery and the external power source has also been exhausted, force restart your laptop. Long press the power button for 10 seconds until the computer restarts. If it doesn’t work, here are some steps you can follow:
1. Hold down Command + Option + Shift + Power simultaneously to reset the MacBook Pro. This process will force the computer to shut down.
2. Release the keys, then press the power button to restart the laptop.
Perhaps, you’re wondering how long the device will continue to run without a battery. Unfortunately, there’s no definite answer to that because it depends on why the power is draining until the battery dies. Moreover, the battery will gradually lose its capacity to hold a charge over time.
Generally, your MacBook may last for one hour or so without a battery for doing basic tasks and could drain faster if you’re working on more intensive projects.
According to Apple, if you want to know the potential problems of using a MacBook with a dead battery, read my article to understand why it’s not okay to let a MacBook battery die.
Will MacBook Pro Work With Dead Battery?
It’s possible to use MacBook Pro with a dead battery by plugging it into AC power, but there’s a great chance the device will shut down once it detects there’s no more charge or it overheats during use. Therefore, Apple recommends not using MacBook with a dead battery to avoid losing important data.
Using your laptop without a battery can further damage the device. The best way to deal with this is to contact Apple and check if there’s a warranty that covers your computer. If a warranty still covers your Mac, you can get a new battery for your notebook without paying a dime.
Replacing your battery is the ultimate solution because a completely dead battery might not allow your laptop to start. In some cases, even if you try to connect your Mac to a power adapter and press start, it may not work. There are many reasons why the battery dies, such as overheating while charging or an old battery past its stamp date.
If your laptop battery dies while on the airplane and you need to finish some urgent work before you touch it down, you can connect it to a power bank. Things you can do with a laptop that ran out of battery are limited to writing documents, checking emails, web browsing, and other basic tasks.
If you’re going to edit a video, touch up some photos, or do any intensive tasks, the performance of the MacBook will significantly be impacted.
If your MacBook gets hot whenever you use it, read my article about how hot a MacBook can get before damage.
How Do I Turn On My MacBook Pro if the Battery Dies?
Plug-in the power cable to get going and press these buttons simultaneously: Shift + Ctrl + Option/Alt keys + power button. Hold them for up to 12 seconds, then release the keys before pressing the power button to turn on MacBook with a dead battery.
If you have a MacBook Pro, turn it on by pressing the power button for about 10 seconds and connect the MagSafe to the laptop while still holding down the power key. Then, press and hold the power button for another 10 seconds to turn on the device normally. Again, it happened to me, and it worked.
If you have tried these steps, but your dead MacBook still does not turn on or restart, you can reset the SMC and unplug the device from the peripherals and charger. Press Shift + Ctrl + Option + Power Button for about 10 seconds. Release the keys, and then reconnect the charger to your MacBook.
One of the most common reasons MacBook batteries die is because they start to swell. According to Apple, this depends on how often you use your laptop and what different programs you use. In addition, often charging your Mac overnight and heavy usage can cause the battery to swell pretty soon.
MacBook batteries normally last up to 5 years with moderate usage. However, if you calibrate your MacBook Pro every month, it could last a few more years. So it’s all about charging properly and avoiding heavy use from time to time.
To help you understand when to replace your battery, read my article about the right time to replace a MacBook battery and know if you should replace it now.