Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

35

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

4

  • Lower Case Assembly Opening
  • 13 steps
  • USB-C and Audio Jack Disconnect
  • 4 steps
  • Lower Case Assembly Removal
  • 6 steps
  • Logic Board
  • 12 steps

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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Lower Case Assembly Opening
  • Before proceeding, unplug and power down your MacBook. Close the display and lay it on a soft surface, top-side down.
  • Remove the following eight screws securing the lower case:
  • Two 1.8 mm P5 Pentalobe screws
  • Four 2.9 mm P5 Pentalobe screws
  • Two 6.1 mm P5 Pentalobe screws
  • Note the orientation of the screws as you remove them—they need to be reinstalled at a slight angle.
  • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your device.

Before proceeding, unplug and power down your MacBook. Close the display and lay it on a soft surface, top-side down.

Remove the following eight screws securing the lower case:

Two 1.8 mm P5 Pentalobe screws

Four 2.9 mm P5 Pentalobe screws

Two 6.1 mm P5 Pentalobe screws

Note the orientation of the screws as you remove them—they need to be reinstalled at a slight angle.

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your device.

1024

Step 2

  • Wedge your fingers between the upper case and the lower case, starting from the rear of the MacBook between the hinges.
  • Lift the lower case only slightly to avoid damaging the cables that connect the lower case to the upper case.
  • Keeping a firm grip, lift steadily until the lower case separates slightly from the upper case.
  • You may experience a lot of resistance when lifting the lower case. If necessary, slide an opening pick or other ESD-safe pry tool down the side edges of the lower case to pop the two hidden retaining clips free.
  • During reassembly, to re-engage the clips, press firmly near both side edges of the lower case (near where the pick is inserted in the third image) until you hear the clips snap into place.

Wedge your fingers between the upper case and the lower case, starting from the rear of the MacBook between the hinges.

Lift the lower case only slightly to avoid damaging the cables that connect the lower case to the upper case.

Keeping a firm grip, lift steadily until the lower case separates slightly from the upper case.

You may experience a lot of resistance when lifting the lower case. If necessary, slide an opening pick or other ESD-safe pry tool down the side edges of the lower case to pop the two hidden retaining clips free.

During reassembly, to re-engage the clips, press firmly near both side edges of the lower case (near where the pick is inserted in the third image) until you hear the clips snap into place.

Step 3

  • While holding the lower case in place, carefully flip the MacBook over so the Apple logo faces up.

While holding the lower case in place, carefully flip the MacBook over so the Apple logo faces up.

Step 4

  • Lift the upper case and display together from the front edge and raise it to about a 45˚ angle.
  • It may be helpful to prop the MacBook open in this position for the next step.

Lift the upper case and display together from the front edge and raise it to about a 45˚ angle.

It may be helpful to prop the MacBook open in this position for the next step.

Step 5

  • Use the flat end of a spudger to press and hold the small gold ‘battery disconnect’ button.
  • If the power LED is lit up, continue holding the button until the LED goes dark, and then release. This may take up to 10 seconds.
  • If the LED does not light, release the button after 5-10 seconds. Press and hold it again for 5-10 seconds, and release. Finally, press and hold it a third time for 5-10 seconds, and release.
  • This step ensures the MacBook is fully powered down and safe to work on.

Use the flat end of a spudger to press and hold the small gold ‘battery disconnect’ button.

If the power LED is lit up, continue holding the button until the LED goes dark, and then release. This may take up to 10 seconds.

If the LED does not light, release the button after 5-10 seconds. Press and hold it again for 5-10 seconds, and release. Finally, press and hold it a third time for 5-10 seconds, and release.

This step ensures the MacBook is fully powered down and safe to work on.

Step 6

  • Close the MacBook and carefully flip it upside-down.

Close the MacBook and carefully flip it upside-down.

Step 7

  • Lifting from the front edge, open the lower case to an angle of about 45°.
  • Take care not to damage the ribbon cables that still attach the lower case to the MacBook.

Lifting from the front edge, open the lower case to an angle of about 45°.

Take care not to damage the ribbon cables that still attach the lower case to the MacBook.

Step 8

  • Use tweezers to peel back the tape covering the trackpad cable ZIF connector.

Use tweezers to peel back the tape covering the trackpad cable ZIF connector.

Step 9

  • Use a spudger to carefully flip up the retaining flap on the trackpad cable ZIF connector.

Use a spudger to carefully flip up the retaining flap on the trackpad cable ZIF connector.

Step 10

  • Disconnect the trackpad ribbon cable from the trackpad by pulling it gently through its slot in the frame.

Disconnect the trackpad ribbon cable from the trackpad by pulling it gently through its slot in the frame.

Step 11

  • Carefully close the MacBook and flip it over once again, so that the Apple logo faces up.
  • Lifting from the front edge, raise the upper case/display assembly to about a 90° angle, and prop it up against something sturdy so you don’t have to hold it.
  • Add a piece of tape near the track pad to secure the upper case and prevent accidental movement.
  • It’s possible to open the MacBook all the way and lay both sides down flat, but this may damage the flex cables and is not recommended.

Carefully close the MacBook and flip it over once again, so that the Apple logo faces up.

Lifting from the front edge, raise the upper case/display assembly to about a 90° angle, and prop it up against something sturdy so you don’t have to hold it.

Add a piece of tape near the track pad to secure the upper case and prevent accidental movement.

It’s possible to open the MacBook all the way and lay both sides down flat, but this may damage the flex cables and is not recommended.

Step 12

  • Remove the single 2.9 mm T5 Torx screw securing the battery connector to the logic board.

Remove the single 2.9 mm T5 Torx screw securing the battery connector to the logic board.

Step 13

  • As an added precaution, you may physically disconnect the battery by inserting a battery isolation pick between the logic board and the battery connector.

As an added precaution, you may physically disconnect the battery by inserting a battery isolation pick between the logic board and the battery connector.

Step 14

              USB-C and Audio Jack Disconnect
  • Remove the two screws securing the USB-C port cable bracket:
  • 1.1 mm Phillips #00 screw
  • 3.5 mm T5 Torx screw

Remove the two screws securing the USB-C port cable bracket:

1.1 mm Phillips #00 screw

3.5 mm T5 Torx screw

Step 15

  • Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the USB-C port cable bracket by prying it straight up from the logic board.
  • To reconnect this cable, first line up the metal bracket over the screw holes, then press down on the middle of the bracket. Make sure it’s aligned correctly, or you may damage the connector.

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the USB-C port cable bracket by prying it straight up from the logic board.

To reconnect this cable, first line up the metal bracket over the screw holes, then press down on the middle of the bracket. Make sure it’s aligned correctly, or you may damage the connector.

Step 16

  • Use a spudger to flip open the retaining flap on the audio jack board cable ZIF connector.

Use a spudger to flip open the retaining flap on the audio jack board cable ZIF connector.

Step 17

  • Disconnect the audio jack board ribbon cable by pulling it straight back out of the ZIF connector.
  • During reassembly, orient the ribbon cable so that the side with the white stripe faces you, as shown.
  • At this point it is possible to open the macbook all the way and to lay it flat on a table without causing any damage to the flex cables.

Disconnect the audio jack board ribbon cable by pulling it straight back out of the ZIF connector.

During reassembly, orient the ribbon cable so that the side with the white stripe faces you, as shown.

At this point it is possible to open the macbook all the way and to lay it flat on a table without causing any damage to the flex cables.

Step 18

              Lower Case Assembly Removal
  • Use tweezers to peel back the tape covering the display cable connector.

Use tweezers to peel back the tape covering the display cable connector.

Step 19

  • It’s possible the metal retaining flap on the display cable connector may flip open, remaining stuck to the tape.
  • If so, use the flat end of a spudger to hold down the retaining flap while peeling the tape away with the tweezers.

It’s possible the metal retaining flap on the display cable connector may flip open, remaining stuck to the tape.

If so, use the flat end of a spudger to hold down the retaining flap while peeling the tape away with the tweezers.

Step 20

  • Use the flat end of a spudger to flip open the retaining flap on the display cable connector.
  • Try to keep it clear of the tape, or it may re-adhere and make cable removal difficult.

Use the flat end of a spudger to flip open the retaining flap on the display cable connector.

Try to keep it clear of the tape, or it may re-adhere and make cable removal difficult.

Step 21

  • Carefully slide the flat end of a spudger underneath the display cable to separate the adhesive holding it to the lower case.
  • Take care not to damage the cable. If the adhesive is very strong, heat the case directly beneath the cable with an iOpener to soften the adhesive, and then try again.

Carefully slide the flat end of a spudger underneath the display cable to separate the adhesive holding it to the lower case.

Take care not to damage the cable. If the adhesive is very strong, heat the case directly beneath the cable with an iOpener to soften the adhesive, and then try again.

Step 22

  • Disconnect the display cable by gently pulling it straight out of its connector.
  • Immediately close the retaining flap.
  • The flap must remain closed when the cable is reinserted during reassembly. Line up the cable with the gold contacts facing down, and gently slide it into the closed connector. Take care not to crimp or damage the cable. When fully inserted, the indentations on the sides should not be visible.

Disconnect the display cable by gently pulling it straight out of its connector.

Immediately close the retaining flap.

The flap must remain closed when the cable is reinserted during reassembly. Line up the cable with the gold contacts facing down, and gently slide it into the closed connector. Take care not to crimp or damage the cable. When fully inserted, the indentations on the sides should not be visible.

Step 23

  • Separate the upper case assembly from the lower case assembly.

Separate the upper case assembly from the lower case assembly.

Step 24

              Logic Board
  • Use tweezers to peel up the tape covering the two ZIF connectors—one for the right speaker cable, and one for the audio jack board cable.

Use tweezers to peel up the tape covering the two ZIF connectors—one for the right speaker cable, and one for the audio jack board cable.

Step 25

  • Use the point of a spudger to flip up both ZIF connector retaining flaps.

Use the point of a spudger to flip up both ZIF connector retaining flaps.

Step 26

  • Carefully pull straight back on the two pieces of tape you just peeled up to disconnect the two ribbon cables.

Carefully pull straight back on the two pieces of tape you just peeled up to disconnect the two ribbon cables.

Step 27

  • Use the point of a spudger to peel up the foam pad covering the two antenna connectors.

Use the point of a spudger to peel up the foam pad covering the two antenna connectors.

Step 28

  • Use tweezers to disconnect the first antenna connector by lifting it straight up from its socket.
  • The antenna connectors and sockets are extremely fragile. Be very careful to lift only on the connector, and not on the socket itself. Do not lift under the cable, or put any unnecessary strain on it.

Use tweezers to disconnect the first antenna connector by lifting it straight up from its socket.

The antenna connectors and sockets are extremely fragile. Be very careful to lift only on the connector, and not on the socket itself. Do not lift under the cable, or put any unnecessary strain on it.

Step 29

  • Use tweezers to disconnect the second antenna connector by lifting it straight up from its socket.
  • The antenna connectors and sockets are extremely fragile. Be very careful to lift only on the connector, and not on the socket itself. Do not lift under the cable, or put any unnecessary strain on it.

Use tweezers to disconnect the second antenna connector by lifting it straight up from its socket.

Step 30

  • Use a spudger to disconnect the left speaker cable connector by prying it straight up from the logic board.

Use a spudger to disconnect the left speaker cable connector by prying it straight up from the logic board.

Step 31

  • Use a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the trackpad cable ZIF connector.

Use a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the trackpad cable ZIF connector.

Step 32

  • Disconnect the trackpad cable from the logic board by gently pulling it straight out of its connector.

Disconnect the trackpad cable from the logic board by gently pulling it straight out of its connector.

Step 33

  • Remove the single 3.5 mm T5 Torx screw securing the logic board to the lower case.

Remove the single 3.5 mm T5 Torx screw securing the logic board to the lower case.

Step 34

  • Flip up the front edge of the logic board.
  • Handle the logic board only by its edges.
  • Lift and detach the EMI tape securing the logic board to the lower case.
  • Warming the tape with a hair dryer or iOpener makes it easier to detach.
  • Reattach the tape securely during reassembly.

Flip up the front edge of the logic board.

Handle the logic board only by its edges.

Lift and detach the EMI tape securing the logic board to the lower case.

Warming the tape with a hair dryer or iOpener makes it easier to detach.

Reattach the tape securely during reassembly.

Step 35

  • Remove the logic board.

Remove the logic board.

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

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Author

                                      with 3 other contributors 


                    Adam O'Camb

Member since: 04/11/2015

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DeepFocus ltd - Jan 28, 2021

Reply

Following this guide for repair will likely kill your MacBook… just saying.

Best to visit an Apple Authorised Service Provider.

Hortman - Aug 23, 2022

How so? Enlighten us if you would be so kind good sir…

applerepairshop - Sep 27, 2022

Because this is a Logic Board replacement guide, if I had to guess… I’d say their MacBook is already “dead.” 😉

Are you suggesting that they will damage their newly purchased Logic Board during installation? It’s not unheard of.

Sebastian Urbanneck - Feb 17, 2021

Reply

Well, hence my MacBook Pro is dead, and a repair would cost about 800€, I think I’ll try. If it fails, I just buy a used one for about the same money.

Noah - Feb 18, 2021

Reply

The easiest error to make when working on this motherboard if applying full voltage after re-assembly. According to the big A, the motherboard on these Macbooks need to be “woken up” with a 5 watt (phone size) charger. Applying the normal 29 watts may render your system unusable.