Your MacBook Speakers Will Now Be Much Cheaper to Repair
Credit: Apple
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Apple has internally announced changes to its 2024 MacBook Pro models and service program that should make speaker repairs substantially cheaper than they’ve been for the past decade.
In nearly all MacBooks released since 2016, Apple authorized service technicians have needed to replace the entire top case when there’s a speaker problem that needs to be fixed. This effectively replaces the faulty speakers, but also the battery and keyboard. While getting a new battery is a nice bonus, it also considerably increases the cost of repairs.
Thankfully, that’s set to change. According to a service memo seen by the folks at MacRumors, speakers will now be available to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers (AASPs) as standalone repair parts for the first time since 2015. This will allow technicians to replace only the speakers and not the entire top case assembly.
While the memo specifically mentions the 2024 MacBook Pro models — the 14-inch and 16-inch M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max versions — a “reliable source” has told MacRumors that speaker parts will be available for all 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with Apple silicon, going back to the M1 Pro and M1 Max versions released in late 2021. That’s logical as the parts are likely identical as the core design of Apple’s MacBook Pro lineup has remained essentially the same over the past three years beyond cosmetic changes such as the Space Black M3 MacBooks and the nano-texture display on this year’s M4 models.
What’s more, it seems that Apple will soon make these parts available for self-service repairs, at least for this year’s models. As MacRumors notes, Apple’s Repair Manuals for the 2024 models now include instructions for the new speaker replacement procedures, although they have yet to show up in the 2023 Repair Manuals, so there’s no word on whether this will be an option for older MacBooks.
The 2024 MacBooks aren’t yet part of Apple’s Self Service Repair Program, but if Apple follows past trends, they’ll likely be added next spring. In the meantime, any 2024 MacBook Pro is still under warranty, so there’s little point in engaging in DIY repairs unless you’ve somehow damaged the speakers in a way that wouldn’t be covered by the warranty.
Still, this isn’t a procedure that’s for the faint of heart. As the repair manual outlines, this is an involved process that requires messing with kevlar thread, nitrile gloves, and a nylon probe, among other things. The speakers also need to be replaced in pairs. Most folks are far better off going to an Apple Store or AASP, so the real point of Apple’s policy change is that out-of-warranty repairs should be more affordable.
This is less relevant for those who opt for AppleCare+ coverage on their MacBook, as this covers nearly any accidental damage that could potentially happen to your MacBook Pro, from blowing out the speakers to pouring liquid on the keyboard for a flat repair cost of $299 per incident.
