Trackpad lifting or case bulging? Stop using it. A swollen lithium battery is a genuine fire risk.
If your MacBook's trackpad has stopped clicking properly or you can see the case bulging slightly when closed, the battery has swollen. Lithium-polymer cells release gas as they fail; the pouch expands, presses up against the trackpad and keyboard, and on Retina-era MacBook Pros it can also press the bottom of the display assembly from below.
This is not cosmetic. A swollen pack is mechanically stressed, internally damaged, and in the worst case can vent or ignite. Stop charging it, stop using it, and post it in for replacement. We remove the swollen pack safely, fit a new battery, and verify the charging system before return.
Swollen packs are handled in a fireproof container during disassembly. We don't puncture cells trying to lever them off glued chassis.
If the swollen pack has permanently deformed the trackpad, a new battery alone won't restore feel. We tell you up-front whether the trackpad also needs replacing.
Cheap aftermarket packs are the most common reason a replacement battery swells again within a year. We use better cells and price the difference honestly.
Free photo quote — pricing varies significantly across MacBook generations:
Glued Retina packs take far longer to remove safely and we use a fireproof container during disassembly. Genuine-spec cells used where available — cheap aftermarket packs are the most common reason a replacement battery swells again within a year.
You get a firm written quote after free photo quote, and no chargeable work starts without your approval. No fix, no fee on every repair — you only pay for work actually done. Parts at supplier cost — you see the invoice. See full pricing structure.
Yes. Swelling is gas release from internal cell breakdown. Continued charging stresses an already-damaged pack and can lead to thermal runaway — at which point the cell can vent, smoke or ignite. Stop charging, stop using it on a lap or on flammable surfaces, and replace it as soon as practical.
Yes, but unplug it now and don't charge it again before posting. Don't try to remove the bottom case yourself. Don't drop or dent it. We'll send specific guidance with the booking — Royal Mail and most couriers do allow installed lithium batteries inside devices, with caveats.
Free photo quote. Cost varies significantly across MacBook generations — pre-2016 models are screw-fit, post-2016 Retina Pros use heavily glued packs that take far longer to remove safely. We quote firmly once we know the exact model.
No. Battery replacement doesn't touch the SSD or logic board. Files, settings, accounts and installed apps are unaffected.
Usually yes. The swollen pack pushing up against the trackpad disables the click mechanism — once the pressure's gone the click returns. If the trackpad has been permanently deformed, it may need replacing too. We assess during diagnosis and tell you before going ahead.
Cheap aftermarket cells. The chemistry is poor and the protection circuit is borderline, so the same failure repeats within 6–12 months. Spending a bit more on a better-spec replacement avoids that — we explain the cost difference at quote time.
Typically 3–7 working days from arrival. Glued packs on Retina Pros take longer because of the safe-removal process; we tell you the timeline with the quote.
Send a couple of photos via the contact form or WhatsApp and you’ll have a firm quote back the same day.
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