Macbook Air 13 Retina Display Late 2018 Upper Case Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          1 - 3 hours

Sections

Lower Case
2 steps
Battery Disconnect
2 steps
Right Speaker
4 steps
Left Speaker
4 steps
Audio Board
7 steps
Fan
5 steps
Antenna Bar
6 steps
Display
3 steps
Touch ID Sensor
2 steps
USB-C Board
4 steps
Disconnect Left-Over Logic Board Connectors
3 steps
Logic Board
2 steps
Trackpad Cable
3 steps
Trackpad
3 steps
Battery
5 steps
Microphone Assembly
6 steps
Upper Case
1 step

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BackMacBook Air 13” Retina Late 2018
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Introduction

Due to overlapping prerequisite guides, there are some repeated steps and inconsistencies in the photos. These are expected and do not effect the procedure. If you notice a repeated step, skip it and continue with the procedure.

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.

Do not reuse the battery if it is swollen or was deformed in any way during the procedure. The battery is likely damaged and can be very dangerous to reuse—it should be replaced.

This guide involves removing the speakers and battery. You will need new adhesive to reinstall the speakers and battery.

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 right speaker

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

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

Step 14

              Disconnect the audio board

Use a T4 Torx driver to remove the three 1.4 mm screws securing the audio board cable bracket.
Remove the cable bracket.

Use a T4 Torx driver to remove the three 1.4 mm screws securing the audio board cable bracket.

Remove the cable bracket.

Step 15

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the audio board connector straight up and disconnect it.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the audio board connector straight up and disconnect it.

Step 16

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the Touch ID sensor connector straight up and disconnect it.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the Touch ID sensor connector straight up and disconnect it.

Step 17

              Remove the audio board

Remove the following screws:
Two 4.3 mm, T5 Torx screws
One 2.4 mm, T4 Torx screw

Remove the following screws:

Two 4.3 mm, T5 Torx screws

One 2.4 mm, T4 Torx screw

Step 18

Slide the flat end of a spudger underneath the Touch ID sensor cable to slice through the adhesive securing it to the audio board.

Slide the flat end of a spudger underneath the Touch ID sensor cable to slice through the adhesive securing it to the audio board.

Step 19

Remove the audio board.

Remove the audio board.

Step 20

              Disconnect the fan

Peel back the black tape covering the fan cable connector.

Peel back the black tape covering the fan cable connector.

Step 21

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 22

              Separate the audio board cable

Slide an opening pick under the audio board cable to slice through the adhesive securing it to the fan.

Slide an opening pick under the audio board cable to slice through the adhesive securing it to the fan.

Step 23

              Remove the fan

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the three 2.7 mm screws securing the fan.

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the three 2.7 mm screws securing the fan.

Step 24

Lift the fan out of the case and remove it.

Lift the fan out of the case and remove it.

Step 25

              Disconnect the antenna bar

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 26

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 27

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 28

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 29

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the following screws:
Four 7.4 mm screws
Two 4.5 mm screws

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the following screws:

Four 7.4 mm screws

Two 4.5 mm screws

Step 30

              Remove the antenna bar

Lift the antenna bar straight up and out of the case. Take care not to snag the antenna bar on any cables or connectors.
You may encounter resistance from the clips in the middle of the antenna bar holding it in the case. You may pull hard without damaging anything as long as you pull straight up, perpendicular to the case.
Remove the antenna bar.

Lift the antenna bar straight up and out of the case. Take care not to snag the antenna bar on any cables or connectors.

You may encounter resistance from the clips in the middle of the antenna bar holding it in the case. You may pull hard without damaging anything as long as you pull straight up, perpendicular to the case.

Remove the antenna bar.

Step 31

              Remove the display

Use a T9 Torx driver to remove the six 4.9 mm screws securing the display hinges to the upper case.

Use a T9 Torx driver to remove the six 4.9 mm screws securing the display hinges to the upper case.

Step 32

With the MacBook still screen-side down, carefully lift the upper case to open the MacBook as far as possible.

With the MacBook still screen-side down, carefully lift the upper case to open the MacBook as far as possible.

Step 33

Lift the MacBook and carefully rotate the display to a 90 degree angle with the upper case.
The hinges should not move in relation to the display, and should rotate out of the case slightly.
Keeping the display at a 90 degree angle with the case, move the display straight down while holding the case still, so that the hinges slide out the bottom of the case.

Lift the MacBook and carefully rotate the display to a 90 degree angle with the upper case.

The hinges should not move in relation to the display, and should rotate out of the case slightly.

Keeping the display at a 90 degree angle with the case, move the display straight down while holding the case still, so that the hinges slide out the bottom of the case.

Step 34

              Remove the Touch ID sensor

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the six 1.6 mm screws securing the Touch ID sensor and its bracket.
Remove the Touch ID bracket.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the six 1.6 mm screws securing the Touch ID sensor and its bracket.

Remove the Touch ID bracket.

Step 35

Turn the MacBook right-side up and open the display.
Lift the Touch ID sensor sensor out of its recess and remove it.

Turn the MacBook right-side up and open the display.

Lift the Touch ID sensor sensor out of its recess and remove it.

Step 36

              Remove the USB-C board

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

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

Remove the USB-C connector bracket.

Step 37

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 38

Use a T4 Torx driver to remove the two 2.9 mm screws securing the USB-C board.

Use a T4 Torx driver to remove the two 2.9 mm screws securing the USB-C board.

Step 39

Remove the USB-C board.

Remove the USB-C board.

Step 40

              Disconnect the trackpad cable

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 41

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 42

              Disconnect the audio board cable

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 43

              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

One 5.5 mm screw

Three 2.6 mm screws

Two 1.9 mm screws

Step 44

              Remove the logic board

Remove the logic board.

Remove the logic board.

Step 45

              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 46

              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 47

              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 48

              Remove the trackpad

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the following screws securing the trackpad:
One 3.2 mm screw
Eight 3.1 mm screws

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the following screws securing the trackpad:

One 3.2 mm screw

Eight 3.1 mm screws

Step 49

With the laptop still lying screen-side down, carefully open the laptop. The trackpad will stay sitting on the display.
Remove the trackpad from the MacBook. Take care not to scratch the display.

With the laptop still lying screen-side down, carefully open the laptop. The trackpad will stay sitting on the display.

Remove the trackpad from the MacBook. Take care not to scratch the display.

Step 50

              Disconnect the trackpad cable

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

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

Slide the trackpad cable straight out of the ZIF connector.

Step 51

              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 52

              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 53

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 54

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 55

              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.

Step 56

              Remove the microphone assembly

Slide an opening pick under the microphone farthest away from the edge of the case to slice through the adhesive securing it to the upper case.
The microphone assembly is still connected to the case. Do not try to remove the microphone assembly or lift the cable.
If the adhesive is stubborn, do not force the pick. Heat the microphone assembly using an iOpener or a hair dryer to soften the adhesive.

Slide an opening pick under the microphone farthest away from the edge of the case to slice through the adhesive securing it to the upper case.

The microphone assembly is still connected to the case. Do not try to remove the microphone assembly or lift the cable.

If the adhesive is stubborn, do not force the pick. Heat the microphone assembly using an iOpener or a hair dryer to soften the adhesive.

Step 57

Use the point of a spudger to lift the small locking flap on the microphone’s ZIF connector.
Slide the microphone cable straight out of the ZIF connector.

Use the point of a spudger to lift the small locking flap on the microphone’s ZIF connector.

Slide the microphone cable straight out of the ZIF connector.

Step 58

Slide an opening pick under the rest of the microphone assembly cable to separate it from the adhesive securing it to the upper case.

Slide an opening pick under the rest of the microphone assembly cable to separate it from the adhesive securing it to the upper case.

Step 59

Use the point of a spudger to carefully pry one of the microphones out of its recess in the upper case.
If the adhesive is stubborn, it may be necessary to apply heat to the microphone or the case.

Use the point of a spudger to carefully pry one of the microphones out of its recess in the upper case.

If the adhesive is stubborn, it may be necessary to apply heat to the microphone or the case.

Step 60

Use the point of a spudger to carefully pry the other microphone out of its recess in the upper case.
If the adhesive is stubborn, it may be necessary to apply heat to the microphone or the case.

Use the point of a spudger to carefully pry the other microphone out of its recess in the upper case.

Step 61

Remove the microphone assembly.

Remove the microphone assembly.

Step 62

              Remove the USB-C port brackets

Lift the USB-C port brackets out of their recesses in the upper case and remove them.
Compare your new upper case to your old one and transfer over any remaining parts.

Lift the USB-C port brackets out of their recesses in the upper case and remove them.

Compare your new upper case to your old one and transfer over any remaining parts.

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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Author

                    Adam O'Camb

Member since: 04/11/2015

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Jose Gutierrez - Jan 7, 2022

I will be tackling this repair soon for my MacBook Air… I see I will need new adhesive to reattach the battery and speakers. What kind of adhesive should I use, and where can I get it?

Gio U - Jan 11, 2022

I just repaired mine, if you buy the whole upper case part, it already comes with adhesive for the battery. The speakers were still tacky enough to hold mine down. Don’t forget to take off those hex nuts off the old upper body because the new part won’t have them. I believe it is about 6 of them

Introduction#

What you need#

Introduction

What you need