Macbook Air 11 Late 2010 Trackpad Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

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Sections

Lower Case
2 steps
Battery
3 steps
Trackpad
4 steps

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BackMacBook Air 11" Late 2010
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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Lower Case

Before proceeding, close your computer and lay it on a soft surface top-side down.
Remove the following ten screws:
Two 8 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws
Eight 2.5 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws
The special screwdriver needed to remove the eight 5-point Pentalobe screws can be found here.

Before proceeding, close your computer and lay it on a soft surface top-side down.

Remove the following ten screws:

Two 8 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws

Eight 2.5 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws

The special screwdriver needed to remove the eight 5-point Pentalobe screws can be found here.

1024

Step 2

Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop the lower case off the Air.
Remove the lower case and set it aside.

Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop the lower case off the Air.

Remove the lower case and set it aside.

Step 3

              Battery

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both short sides of the battery connector upward to disconnect it from its socket on the logic board.
Bend the battery cable slightly away from the logic board so the connector will not accidentally contact its socket.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both short sides of the battery connector upward to disconnect it from its socket on the logic board.

Bend the battery cable slightly away from the logic board so the connector will not accidentally contact its socket.

Step 4

Remove the following five screws securing the battery to the upper case:
Two 5.2 mm T5 Torx screws
One 6 mm T5 Torx screw
Two 2.6 mm T5 Torx screws

Remove the following five screws securing the battery to the upper case:

Two 5.2 mm T5 Torx screws

One 6 mm T5 Torx screw

Two 2.6 mm T5 Torx screws

Step 5

When handling the battery, avoid squeezing or touching the six exposed lithium polymer cells.
Lift the battery from its edge nearest the logic board and remove it from the upper case.
If you’re installing a new battery, you should calibrate it after installation:
Charge it to 100%, and then keep charging it for at least 2 more hours. Next, unplug and use it normally to drain the battery. When you see the low battery warning, save your work, and keep your laptop on until it goes to sleep due to low battery. Wait at least 5 hours, then charge your laptop uninterrupted to 100%.
If you notice any unusual behavior or problems after installing your new battery, you may need to reset your MacBook’s SMC.

When handling the battery, avoid squeezing or touching the six exposed lithium polymer cells.

Lift the battery from its edge nearest the logic board and remove it from the upper case.

If you’re installing a new battery, you should calibrate it after installation:

Charge it to 100%, and then keep charging it for at least 2 more hours. Next, unplug and use it normally to drain the battery. When you see the low battery warning, save your work, and keep your laptop on until it goes to sleep due to low battery. Wait at least 5 hours, then charge your laptop uninterrupted to 100%.

If you notice any unusual behavior or problems after installing your new battery, you may need to reset your MacBook’s SMC.

Step 6

              Trackpad

Use the tip of a spudger to pry up the retaining flap on the trackpad data cable ZIF connector.
Be careful to pry on the hinged flap, not the connector itself; the connector is delicate and may break.
Gently slide the trackpad ribbon cable out of the ZIF connector.

Use the tip of a spudger to pry up the retaining flap on the trackpad data cable ZIF connector.

Be careful to pry on the hinged flap, not the connector itself; the connector is delicate and may break.

Gently slide the trackpad ribbon cable out of the ZIF connector.

Step 7

With one hand, lift the keyboard ribbon cable up and push it slightly away from the trackpad to access the ZIF connector underneath.
Use a spudger tip to pry up the retaining flap on the keyboard ribbon cable ZIF connector.
Be careful to pry on the hinged flap, not the connector itself; the connector is delicate and may break.
Gently slide the keyboard ribbon cable out of the ZIF connector.

With one hand, lift the keyboard ribbon cable up and push it slightly away from the trackpad to access the ZIF connector underneath.

Use a spudger tip to pry up the retaining flap on the keyboard ribbon cable ZIF connector.

Gently slide the keyboard ribbon cable out of the ZIF connector.

Step 8

Remove the six 1.5 mm Phillips #00 screws that secure the trackpad assembly to the upper case.

Remove the six 1.5 mm Phillips #00 screws that secure the trackpad assembly to the upper case.

Step 9

Open the MacBook about 10 degrees.
While supporting the upper case, press up on the side of the trackpad closest to the logic board.
Remove the trackpad.

Open the MacBook about 10 degrees.

While supporting the upper case, press up on the side of the trackpad closest to the logic board.

Remove the trackpad.

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

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                                                                                      27 other people completed this guide.

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                    Andrew Optimus Goldheart

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Stefan - Aug 3, 2014

I did it! Replaced the trackpad after the MacBook Air took a dive from a stand, which fortunately just shattered the trackpad’s glass. Thanks for the easy to use instructions!

Just one note on step 8: I had to use a PH000 (triple 0) instead of the double 0 - almost destroyed one of the screws before realising.

Best regards,

StH

Peter Bakker - Nov 15, 2014

The trackpad from my macbook air would not click anymore. The pointer still worked, i could still tap and hoover around.

My guess was that something fell between the trackpad and the housing.

And I was right, it was a bread crumb or else of a little seed.

While following this guide, I saw that a little magnet underneath the unibody is lifting the trackpad up again, after being pushed down. Right in that tiny space was the little bugger :)

pabz - Mar 26, 2016

I had the same issue, non-clicking mouse, and a dis-assembly & light clean also sorted me out. Thanks everyone!

Richard Cox - Nov 5, 2018

Replacement went well - iFixit guide marvellous as usual and replacement trackpad performs perfectly. So good to resurrect

the trusty MB Air!

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Introduction

What you need

Team