I have a 2020 MacBook Pro, but the battery is damaged and won't turn on anymore. I ignored the warning about the battery for a while, and now I'm in a bind. I have a valid warranty in Switzerland, and I'm currently living in France. I want to send my laptop with someone who's flying to Switzerland to avoid shipping costs. My main concern is whether the battery could pose any safety risks during the flight, like exploding or causing a fire.
5 Answers
I seriously doubt the battery will explode, but it could catch fire. I’d suggest contacting the airline to let them know about the damaged battery and check their policies just to be safe.
I would recommend telling the airline about the situation right away, just in case.
The battery is likely old and worn out. If there's no swelling, it should be safe enough, but there’s no absolute guarantee. Passengers need to keep devices with lithium batteries in their carry-ons anyway, so any problems would be noticed quickly. Just make sure they keep an eye on it during the flight.
Got it, thanks for the heads up!
If the battery isn't holding a charge, there's really low risk for fire. Just make sure the laptop isn't dropped or squished during transit. Also, maybe don't use or charge it until it's replaced!
As long as the battery isn't swollen, you should be okay to fly with it. If it's swollen, then it's a no-go. Just make sure the person who's taking it keeps it in their carry-on and not in checked luggage, just in case anything goes wrong.
It's definitely not swollen, and I can confirm that the person I gave it to went through security without any issues!
A quick check on the touchpad can help you determine if the battery is damaged. If the touchpad feels hard to click, then the battery might be expanded and is not safe to fly with. If it's normal, keep it off and in carry-on only, and you should be good to go!
The battery is damaged and could potentially start a fire. Also, just to clarify, I'm giving it to someone I don’t know that well. Do you think it's okay to fly with it?