Can I use my old MacBook Air without replacing the dead battery?

Hi there,

I have an old MacBook air ( mid 2008 ) with completely dead battery but working good.. And am thinking to use it with something that make it on all time. So am thinking to remove the battery..


My question is:

Is it possible the Mac work without the battery on the wall plug!!? Or the battery required to work!??


Thank you


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: MacBook with dead battery..!!!

MacBook Air 13″

Posted on Jun 20, 2025 03:53 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 20, 2025 09:01 PM

Without a battery installed, the fan may run at high speed. It is also possible the laptop may run very slowly since the CPU may become throttled when the system doesn't see the battery thermal sensor. I don't recall whether the 2012 & earlier Apple laptops run slowly when the battery is removed (I think they ran fine though....it was only for diagnostic purposes anyway), but it has been a while since I worked on them.


Leaving the battery installed does pose a risk that the battery may start to swell which could deform or damage the Trackpad. However, if the battery is not seen by the system, then the battery likely is not getting any power to cause any swelling.


FYI, with the Retina model laptops the computer will run slowly with a CPU throttled to idle speeds. With the USB-C Intel Macs the performance can become so bad with the battery disconnected, that the laptop may never finish booting....it does vary by laptop. With the M-series Macs, they won't boot at all without the battery connected.


I only ever worked on one or two early model MBAirs so I don't recall how the battery is installed, but I know on the later 2011-2017 Airs the battery is easily disconnected and/or removed. You can try it & see how the system works.


Edit: Just make sure not to puncture any of the battery cells since that would be bad. If you do remove the battery, then make sure to protect the battery from accidental punctures. And do not dispose of the battery in the trash, you must properly recycle the battery. Personally I would just disconnect the battery & leave it installed in the laptop. I would wrap some electrical tape around the battery connector to insulate it & try tucking it in between the battery & Logic Board. This way the battery remains protected & you don't have to worry about battery disposal until you retire this laptop where you will need to have the laptop properly recycled.

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 20, 2025 09:01 PM in response to Yosuf-Y.A.H

Without a battery installed, the fan may run at high speed. It is also possible the laptop may run very slowly since the CPU may become throttled when the system doesn't see the battery thermal sensor. I don't recall whether the 2012 & earlier Apple laptops run slowly when the battery is removed (I think they ran fine though....it was only for diagnostic purposes anyway), but it has been a while since I worked on them.


Leaving the battery installed does pose a risk that the battery may start to swell which could deform or damage the Trackpad. However, if the battery is not seen by the system, then the battery likely is not getting any power to cause any swelling.


FYI, with the Retina model laptops the computer will run slowly with a CPU throttled to idle speeds. With the USB-C Intel Macs the performance can become so bad with the battery disconnected, that the laptop may never finish booting....it does vary by laptop. With the M-series Macs, they won't boot at all without the battery connected.


I only ever worked on one or two early model MBAirs so I don't recall how the battery is installed, but I know on the later 2011-2017 Airs the battery is easily disconnected and/or removed. You can try it & see how the system works.


Edit: Just make sure not to puncture any of the battery cells since that would be bad. If you do remove the battery, then make sure to protect the battery from accidental punctures. And do not dispose of the battery in the trash, you must properly recycle the battery. Personally I would just disconnect the battery & leave it installed in the laptop. I would wrap some electrical tape around the battery connector to insulate it & try tucking it in between the battery & Logic Board. This way the battery remains protected & you don't have to worry about battery disposal until you retire this laptop where you will need to have the laptop properly recycled.

Jun 21, 2025 07:20 PM in response to Yosuf-Y.A.H

Yosuf-Y.A.H wrote:

Right now the battery already swelling and pushing the fan and make it's blades touch something and make it noisy..

Don't use a laptop with a swollen battery. If you remove it, then be very careful not to puncture it and give it to a recycling center (don't just drop it in a bin since that can be dangerous). At this point before removing the battery, let the battery drain to under 20% charge so the risk of fire is minimal if the battery is punctured by a metal/conductive item.




Jun 21, 2025 12:56 PM in response to HWTech

Thank you for the replay..


So that's mean it work but with less power and some issues kind of!!!

My plan was make it like a display for my live subscription count page for my YouTube channel.. So the laptop well be on most of the time. I asked this question to see if it work then i don't need to wast money on battery for this job..


Right now the battery already swelling and pushing the fan and make it's blades touch something and make it noisy..

Jun 21, 2025 10:28 PM in response to HWTech

Don't worry. I learn how to deal with it. And the battery is already dead and doesn't take any charge or electricity.. And the system doesn't recognise it. Now the laptop only work with the wall plug. But every time i turn it on i need to adjust the time and the date if i leave the laptop off for more a full day i think!!!

That's why am thinking to remove it.. And save money if the laptop can work without it as i intended to use it.

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Can I use my old MacBook Air without replacing the dead battery?

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