Mac mini (2024) CMOS Battery Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl
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Mac mini (2024) CMOS Battery Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

11

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.

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    • 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.

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    • Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the bottom cover and the chassis.

    • Pry up the bottom cover to create a gap.

    • Keep the Jimmy inserted under the bottom cover.

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

    • Remove the Jimmy.

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    • Slide the opening pick along the bottom cover until you feel it snag on a clip.

    • There are four clips total—one at each corner of the bottom cover.

    • Twist the pick to lift the clip out of its slot.

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    • Continue sliding and prying with the pick along the perimeter of the bottom cover to release the remaining clips.

    • Don't insert the pick more than an inch 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 clips click back into place.

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    • Don't remove the bottom cover yet, 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.

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    • Grip the power button cable close to the head and pull it away from its socket to disconnect it.

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    • Remove the bottom cover.

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    • 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.

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

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    • 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

151895 Reputation

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