Mac mini (2024) CMOS Battery Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Comments: 22

Mac mini (2024) CMOS Battery Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

10 - 20 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the CMOS battery in your Mac mini (2024).

This CMOS battery is a standard 3V BR1632 coin cell battery.

Tools

Parts

Lithium Cell CR1632 3 Volt Coin Battery

Step 1

Fully shut down your Mac mini and unplug all cables from it.
Flip over your Mac mini and place it on a clean, flat surface to avoid scratching the chassis.

Den Mac vorm ausschalten noch vom Account trennen. Sonst kann es zu Schwierigkeiten bei der Neuanmeldung kommen.

MacGyverModeOn -

Step 2

Using the Jimmy or other metal tools during this step could scratch the aluminum chassis; however, it's the simplest way to perform this step. Follow the alternate instructions to avoid scratching the aluminum.
Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the bottom cover and the chassis.
Pry up the bottom cover to create a gap.
Alternatively, you can insert the point of a spudger into one of the plastic vent holes and pry up to create a gap big enough to insert an opening pick into.
Keep the Jimmy inserted under the bottom cover.

It is much easier to get the plastic "pick" under the cover by inserting it UNDER the metal blade (between the blade and the aluminum case) while the blade is more vertical, then bringing the blade down on top of the pick, forcing the fan cover edge up higher. From that position, the pick can easily be pushed in further under the cover and to one side. In other words, instead of putting the pick in OVER the metal blade as shown, put it UNDER. This also protects the aluminum from damage marks of the blade.

SteveTheMonk -

Step 3

Insert an opening pick into the gap created by the Jimmy.
Remove the Jimmy.

Step 4

Slide the opening pick along the bottom cover until you feel it snag on a pin.
There are four pins total—one at each corner of the bottom cover.
Twist the pick to lift the pin out of its slot.

Step 5

Continue sliding and prying with the pick along the perimeter of the bottom cover to release the remaining pins.
Don't insert the pick more than an inch when sliding near the power button, as you risk damaging the cable.
During reassembly, press along the perimeter of the bottom until you hear and feel all four pins click back into place.

"Don't insert the pick more than an inch near the power button" is incorrect wording.

I think you mean "Don't insert the pick less than an inch from the power button".

David -

Hi David!

For that warning, it's about not inserting the pick too deep under the bottom cover that you risk hitting the cable as you work around the perimeter. The wording is confusing though, so I'll change it!

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl -

Step 6

Don't remove the bottom cover, as it's still connected to the Mac mini with a cable.
Lift the edge of the bottom cover opposite the power button and flip it over to expose the power button cable.

There are three electrical connectors in this disassembly operation. Having experienced the fragility of these connectors on previous macs, I chose to NOT DISCONNECT any of them, and it actually SAVES TIME fiddling with them.

IT IS NOT ESSENTIAL to disconnect ANY of these connectors. And it is safer, particularly if you are not experienced. Just take your time and be gentle moving the cover and fan out of the way and resting to the side to get to the SSD screw. It REALLY IS UNNECESSARY TO DISCONNECT ANY CONNECTORS.

SteveTheMonk -

Step 7

The power button cable is very fragile! You don't have to disconnect it to access the internals— but it will require you to keep the bottom cover propped up.
To disconnect the cable and remove the bottom cover, follow the next two steps.
If you don't disconnect the cable, prop up the bottom cover to prevent straining the cable and skip the next two steps.
Grip the power button cable close to the head and pull it away from its socket to disconnect it.

It's not necessary to remove the power connector and remove the bottom cover (the next step), just flip it over gently to take out the 3 screws underneath (in Step 9).

James -

Skip this step, really fragile connector

Ravire -

it tore open immediately. DO NOT TRY THIS.

Chad Prestridge - 20/02/25

Nicht notwenig man kann den Bodenteil einfach "überlegen"

Christian Studer -

Change these instructions, I also damaged my connector.
This one is different from other connectors, pull up, not along the length of the cable.

Or even better just move it aside or use the 4 Torx to remove it.

James -

How did you fix the connector afterwards? I‘ve the same problem. I broke the connector…

Christof - 23/03/25

Please change these instructions I just ripped the cable out before reading the comments

Sully -

And one more connector just died!

Johannss -

Sorry, what do you do if the connector pulls apart? Utterly evil design. This step needs a rewrite and a serious warning on it!!!!!

Adam P -

Achtung, den Connector auf keinen Fall lösen. Bei mir ging dieser kaputt - hoffe, ich kann ihn noch reparieren!

Christof - 23/03/25

another wrecked connector come on fix it change this step

Donald Gillis -

Broke mine as well. DON'T DO THIS STEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

djdubcom -

The 13 comments on this step should've tipped me off, but alas, another one bites the dust. On the bright side, I can see this as a grand opportunity to DIY my own power button and glue it onto a sensible place instead of the underside like a psychopath lol

Davis Diercks -

I didn't see the comments at first... was consternated about the direction "...pull it away from it's connector", which isn't clear. As others have said: don't pull it sideways/along the wire, lift it upward, towards your face. Like a Lego block. I was lucky - I didn't break my connector, but was using a small tool to lightly help pry it up.

JFixIt -

Another broken connector! Really bad instruction.

Jon Hutton -

Hätte ich nur die Kommentare gelesen! One more broken connector...

raimund.kirchschlager -

Step 8

Remove the bottom cover.

The power button is better to be completely unscrewed then to pull at the connector as it shattered in a 8th of a second.

Chad Prestridge -

Step 9

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
While the Mac mini uses Torx Plus screws, standard Torx bits work. Make sure to apply constant, downward force to prevent stripping.
Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove the two 2.1 mm‑long screws securing the CMOS battery screws.

Step 10

Lift the CMOS battery and its housing off the inner plate and remove it.

Step 11

Use the flat end of a spudger, or your fingernail, to lift the CMOS battery out of its housing.
During reassembly, place the flat, shinier side of the battery into the section of the housing with the plus sign.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Mac mini (2024) Answers Community for help.

Author

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

168721 Reputation

Mac mini (2024) CMOS Battery Replacement

Introduction

Tools

Parts

0 comments