Macbook Air 13 Retina Display Late 2018 Battery Replacement Repair Guide

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Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          30 minutes - 1 hour

Sections

Lower Case
2 steps
Battery Disconnect
2 steps
Right Speaker
4 steps
Left Speaker
4 steps
Logic Board Disconnection
12 steps
Logic Board
2 steps
Trackpad Cable
3 steps
Battery
5 steps

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BackMacBook Air 13” Retina Late 2018
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Introduction

To minimize risk of damage, turn on your MacBook and allow the battery to fully discharge before starting this procedure. A charged lithium-ion battery can be very dangerous if accidentally punctured. If your battery looks puffy or swollen, take extra precautions.

What you need

Step 1

              Remove the screws securing the lower case

Before starting this procedure, you should disable your Mac’s Auto Boot feature. Auto Boot powers on your Mac when you open the lid, and may be accidentally triggered during disassembly. Use this guide to disable Auto Boot.
If your MacBook is running Big Sur v11.1 or later, disabling Auto Boot may not work. You can proceed normally, but make sure to disconnect the battery as soon as you’re inside.
Completely power off and unplug your MacBook Air before you start. Close the display and flip the entire laptop upside-down.
Use a P5 driver to remove the following screws:
Two 7.9 mm screws
Two 7.1 mm screws
Six 2.6 mm screws

Before starting this procedure, you should disable your Mac’s Auto Boot feature. Auto Boot powers on your Mac when you open the lid, and may be accidentally triggered during disassembly. Use this guide to disable Auto Boot.

If your MacBook is running Big Sur v11.1 or later, disabling Auto Boot may not work. You can proceed normally, but make sure to disconnect the battery as soon as you’re inside.

Completely power off and unplug your MacBook Air before you start. Close the display and flip the entire laptop upside-down.

Use a P5 driver to remove the following screws:

Two 7.9 mm screws

Two 7.1 mm screws

Six 2.6 mm screws

1024

Step 2

              Remove the lower case

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.

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.

Step 3

              Disconnect the battery

Peel back the tape covering the battery connector enough to reveal the connector underneath.

Peel back the tape covering the battery connector enough to reveal the connector underneath.

Step 4

Use a spudger to slide the battery connector parallel to the logic board and out of its socket on the logic board.

Use a spudger to slide the battery connector parallel to the logic board and out of its socket on the logic board.

Step 5

              Remove the right speaker adhesive

Use a pair of tweezers to lift up the black adhesive pull tab at the bottom of the right speaker, enough so you can grab it with your fingers.
Grab the adhesive strip pull tab and slowly and carefully pull the adhesive strip out from under the speaker.
Keep the angle of the adhesive strip as parallel to the laptop as you can. Try to avoid dragging it across the inside of the case.
If the adhesive strip breaks, leave it in and proceed to the next step.

Use a pair of tweezers to lift up the black adhesive pull tab at the bottom of the right speaker, enough so you can grab it with your fingers.

Grab the adhesive strip pull tab and slowly and carefully pull the adhesive strip out from under the speaker.

Keep the angle of the adhesive strip as parallel to the laptop as you can. Try to avoid dragging it across the inside of the case.

If the adhesive strip breaks, leave it in and proceed to the next step.

Step 6

Slide the tip of a spudger underneath the right speaker cable and pry straight up to disconnect the speaker.

Slide the tip of a spudger underneath the right speaker cable and pry straight up to disconnect the speaker.

Step 7

Use tweezers to lift the adhesive pull tab at the top of the right speaker enough that you can grab it with your fingers.
Grab the adhesive strip pull tab and slowly and carefully pull the adhesive strip out from under the speaker.
Keep the angle of the adhesive strip as parallel to the laptop as you can. Try to avoid dragging it across the inside of the case.
If the adhesive strip breaks, or if the first adhesive strip broke, use a heated iOpener or heat gun to help remove the adhesive:
Apply heat to the speaker to soften the adhesive underneath.
Carefully slide a spudger or opening pick underneath the speaker to separate the adhesive.

Use tweezers to lift the adhesive pull tab at the top of the right speaker enough that you can grab it with your fingers.

If the adhesive strip breaks, or if the first adhesive strip broke, use a heated iOpener or heat gun to help remove the adhesive:

Apply heat to the speaker to soften the adhesive underneath.

Carefully slide a spudger or opening pick underneath the speaker to separate the adhesive.

Step 8

              Remove the right speaker

Lift the right speaker straight up from the bottom and remove it.

Lift the right speaker straight up from the bottom and remove it.

Step 9

              Remove the left speaker adhesive

Use a pair of tweezers to lift up the black adhesive pull tab at the bottom of the left speaker, enough so you can grab it with your fingers.
Grab the adhesive strip pull tab and slowly and carefully pull the adhesive strip out from under the speaker.
Keep the angle of the adhesive strip as parallel to the laptop as you can. Try to avoid dragging it across the inside of the case.
If the adhesive strip breaks, leave it in and proceed to the next step.

Use a pair of tweezers to lift up the black adhesive pull tab at the bottom of the left speaker, enough so you can grab it with your fingers.

Step 10

Slide the tip of a spudger underneath the left speaker cable and pry straight up to disconnect the speaker.
With the connector disconnected, slide the flat end of a spudger under the cable to separate the adhesive securing the cable to the logic board.

Slide the tip of a spudger underneath the left speaker cable and pry straight up to disconnect the speaker.

With the connector disconnected, slide the flat end of a spudger under the cable to separate the adhesive securing the cable to the logic board.

Step 11

Use tweezers to lift the adhesive pull tab at the top of the left speaker enough that you can grab it with your fingers.
Grab the adhesive strip pull tab and slowly and carefully pull the adhesive strip out from under the speaker.
Keep the angle of the adhesive strip as parallel to the laptop as you can. Try to avoid dragging it across the inside of the case.
If the adhesive strip breaks, or if the first adhesive strip broke, use a heated iOpener or heat gun to help remove the adhesive:
Apply heat to the speaker to soften the adhesive underneath.
Carefully slide a spudger or opening pick underneath the speaker to separate the adhesive.

Use tweezers to lift the adhesive pull tab at the top of the left speaker enough that you can grab it with your fingers.

Step 12

              Remove the left speaker

Lift the left speaker straight up from the bottom and remove it.

Lift the left speaker straight up from the bottom and remove it.

Step 13

              Disconnect the logic board

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.4 mm screws securing the trackpad connector bracket.
Remove the trackpad connector bracket.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.4 mm screws securing the trackpad connector bracket.

Remove the trackpad connector bracket.

Step 14

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the trackpad cable connector up and out of its socket.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the trackpad cable connector up and out of its socket.

Step 15

If the left speaker is already disconnected, skip this step.
Slide the tip of a spudger underneath the left speaker cable and pry straight up to disconnect the speaker.
With the connector disconnected, slide the flat end of a spudger under the cable to separate the adhesive securing the cable to the logic board.

If the left speaker is already disconnected, skip this step.

Step 16

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.3 mm screws securing the USB-C port connector bracket.
Remove the USB-C connector bracket.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.3 mm screws securing the USB-C port connector bracket.

Remove the USB-C connector bracket.

Step 17

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the USB-C cable connector up and out of its socket on the logic board.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the USB-C cable connector up and out of its socket on the logic board.

Step 18

Use a spudger to lift up the small locking flap on the sound board cable’s ZIF connector.
Slide the sound board cable out of the ZIF connector.

Use a spudger to lift up the small locking flap on the sound board cable’s ZIF connector.

Slide the sound board cable out of the ZIF connector.

Step 19

Peel back the black tape covering the fan cable connector.

Peel back the black tape covering the fan cable connector.

Step 20

Use the tip of a spudger to lift up the locking flap on the fan cable’s ZIF connector.
Slide the fan cable out of the ZIF connector.

Use the tip of a spudger to lift up the locking flap on the fan cable’s ZIF connector.

Slide the fan cable out of the ZIF connector.

Step 21

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.4 mm screws securing the antenna cable bracket.
Remove the antenna cable bracket.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.4 mm screws securing the antenna cable bracket.

Remove the antenna cable bracket.

Step 22

Insert the point of a spudger under one of the antenna cables close to the connector. Pry straight up to disconnect the cable.
Repeat for the other antenna cable.

Insert the point of a spudger under one of the antenna cables close to the connector. Pry straight up to disconnect the cable.

Repeat for the other antenna cable.

Step 23

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the display cable connector bracket.
Remove the display cable connector bracket.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the display cable connector bracket.

Remove the display cable connector bracket.

Step 24

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the display cable connector.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the display cable connector.

Step 25

              Unscrew the logic board

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the following screws:
One 5.5 mm screw
Three 2.6 mm screws
Two 1.9 mm screws

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the following screws:

One 5.5 mm screw

Three 2.6 mm screws

Two 1.9 mm screws

Step 26

              Remove the logic board

Remove the logic board.

Remove the logic board.

Step 27

              Separate the trackpad cable adhesive

Carefully slide an opening pick under the trackpad cable to separate the adhesive securing it to the upper case.
If you have difficulty separating the adhesive, heat it slightly with an iOpener or hair dryer to soften the adhesive.

Carefully slide an opening pick under the trackpad cable to separate the adhesive securing it to the upper case.

If you have difficulty separating the adhesive, heat it slightly with an iOpener or hair dryer to soften the adhesive.

Step 28

              Disconnect the trackpad cable

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the small locking flap on the trackpad ZIF connector.
Slide the trackpad cable straight out of its connector.

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the small locking flap on the trackpad ZIF connector.

Slide the trackpad cable straight out of its connector.

Step 29

              Separate the trackpad cable adhesive

Carefully slide an opening pick under the trackpad cable to separate the adhesive securing it to the battery.
If you have difficulty separating the adhesive, heat it slightly with an iOpener or hair dryer. Be careful not to overheat the battery.

Carefully slide an opening pick under the trackpad cable to separate the adhesive securing it to the battery.

If you have difficulty separating the adhesive, heat it slightly with an iOpener or hair dryer. Be careful not to overheat the battery.

Step 30

              Unscrew the battery

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove four 2.5 mm screws securing the battery.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove four 2.5 mm screws securing the battery.

Step 31

              Remove the battery adhesive

Use a pair of tweezers to lift up the black adhesive pull tab on the side of the battery, enough so you can grab it with your fingers.
Grab the adhesive strip pull tab and slowly and carefully pull the adhesive strip out from under the battery.
Keep the angle of the adhesive strip as parallel to the laptop as you can. Try to avoid dragging it across the inside of the case.
If the adhesive strip breaks, leave it in and proceed to the next step.

Use a pair of tweezers to lift up the black adhesive pull tab on the side of the battery, enough so you can grab it with your fingers.

Grab the adhesive strip pull tab and slowly and carefully pull the adhesive strip out from under the battery.

Step 32

Repeat the previous step to remove the next two adhesive strips on the same side of the battery.
If any adhesive strips break, leave them in and proceed to the next step.

Repeat the previous step to remove the next two adhesive strips on the same side of the battery.

If any adhesive strips break, leave them in and proceed to the next step.

Step 33

Repeat the previous two steps to remove the three adhesive strips on the other side of the battery.
If any of the adhesive strips broke, you can use high-concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol to help remove them:
Carefully drip isopropyl alcohol along either edge of the battery, in the recessed part of the upper case, where the adhesive pull tabs were.
Applying too much alcohol or applying it outside of the wells in the case where the adhesive sits risks damaging other components.
Let the alcohol soak into the adhesive for a minute or two.
Use opening picks to gently pry the battery away from the upper case.

Repeat the previous two steps to remove the three adhesive strips on the other side of the battery.

If any of the adhesive strips broke, you can use high-concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol to help remove them:

Carefully drip isopropyl alcohol along either edge of the battery, in the recessed part of the upper case, where the adhesive pull tabs were.

Applying too much alcohol or applying it outside of the wells in the case where the adhesive sits risks damaging other components.

Let the alcohol soak into the adhesive for a minute or two.

Use opening picks to gently pry the battery away from the upper case.

Step 34

              Remove the battery

Remove the battery.
Calibrate your newly installed battery: charge it to 100%, and keep charging it for at least 2 more hours. 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.

Remove the battery.

Calibrate your newly installed battery: charge it to 100%, and keep charging it for at least 2 more hours. 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.

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

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

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

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                                                                                      19 other people completed this guide.

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                    Adam O'Camb

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Michael Cleveland - May 21, 2021

Well done article and I acheived my goal of changing out my very puffy old battery for the new one (still need to recycle the old… ASAP). Curiously, I had to open it again as I, somehow, didn’t get the battery cable pushed in far enough and it wasn’t working. Now, all is well. Strangely, even after a couple of attempts at resetting the SMC, my fan is running almost constantly. I’m kind of not sure what to do about that at this point (yes, I used the iFixIt guide to clean my fan as well). Anyway, thanks for the help.

Jay Haripersad - Aug 29, 2021

great article, havent used it as yet, but just wanted to check the complexity before I purchased the battery

Micah Miller - Feb 24, 2022

New battery is in and on 1st round of charging! Thank you very much!!!

As a note, I also purchased some Tesa tape with the battery as the shopping cart recommended it. I used that under the speakers before replacing them. The left & right sides of the batteries are kind of loose, but I’m not overly worried about that as it’s attached to metal backing.

Jennifer Barnes - Jan 10, 2023

Extremely pleased with this tutorial and the ifixit.com battery replacement kit. Since one of my USB-C ports died and the Apple certified folks told me to expect to pay over $500 to replace the port and battery I came here to sort it out myself. Happy to say with ifixit’s awesome parts and tutorials that I have a fully functional Air again for about $150. I also recommend the magnetic project board as this was super helpful in keeping all of the various sized screws organized to the steps.

Featured Guide#

Introduction#

What you need#

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Introduction

What you need