Macbook Pro 13 Retina Display Late 2012 Upper Case Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

                          2 - 4 hours

Sections

Lower Case
3 steps
Battery Connector
5 steps
Battery Contact Board
1 step
I/O Board Data Cable
3 steps
Right Speaker
4 steps
Left Speaker
4 steps
SSD Assembly
2 steps
Battery
12 steps
Logic Board Assembly
13 steps
I/O Board
3 steps
Headphone Jack Assembly
2 steps
Display Assembly
6 steps
Trackpad
4 steps
Microphone Assembly
7 steps
Upper Case
1 step

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BackMacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2012
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Introduction

iFixit adhesive remover is highly flammable. Perform this procedure in a well-ventilated area. Do not smoke or work near an open flame during this 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 create a dangerous and uncontrollable fire if accidentally punctured. If your battery is swollen, take extra precautions.

What you need

Step 1

              Lower Case

Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:
Two 2.3 mm P5 Pentalobe screws
Eight 3.0 mm P5 Pentalobe screws
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your device.

Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:

Two 2.3 mm P5 Pentalobe screws

Eight 3.0 mm P5 Pentalobe screws

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

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Step 2

Wedge your fingers between the upper case and the lower case.
Gently pull the lower case away from the upper case.
Remove the lower case and set it aside.

Wedge your fingers between the upper case and the lower case.

Gently pull the lower case away from the upper case.

Remove the lower case and set it aside.

Step 3

During reassembly, gently push down the center of the lower case to reattach the two plastic clips.
The lower case is connected to the upper case at the center, with two plastic clips.

During reassembly, gently push down the center of the lower case to reattach the two plastic clips.

The lower case is connected to the upper case at the center, with two plastic clips.

Step 4

              Battery Connector

Remove the plastic cover adhered to the battery contact board.

Remove the plastic cover adhered to the battery contact board.

Step 5

Remove the following screws securing the battery connector board to the logic board:
Two 2.8 mm T6 Torx screws
One 7.0 mm T6 Torx shouldered screw

Remove the following screws securing the battery connector board to the logic board:

Two 2.8 mm T6 Torx screws

One 7.0 mm T6 Torx shouldered screw

Step 6

Use tweezers to remove the small plastic cover located near the bottom right of the battery connector board.

Use tweezers to remove the small plastic cover located near the bottom right of the battery connector board.

Step 7

Remove the wide head 6.4 mm T6 Torx screw securing the battery connector to the logic board assembly.

Remove the wide head 6.4 mm T6 Torx screw securing the battery connector to the logic board assembly.

Step 8

Carefully lift the battery connector board up off the logic board.
It is recommended to bend the battery cables just slightly, to keep the board suspended up above the logic board and out of the way.
Do not fold the board completely over, or crease the cables, as this may damage the battery.

Carefully lift the battery connector board up off the logic board.

It is recommended to bend the battery cables just slightly, to keep the board suspended up above the logic board and out of the way.

Do not fold the board completely over, or crease the cables, as this may damage the battery.

Step 9

              Battery Contact Board

Grasp the Interposer with tweezers.
An interposer is the name for an interface that links one electrical connection to another. In this repair, it is the board connecting the battery to logic board.
Lift the Interposer off the logic board and remove it.
Removing this board will ensure that the battery remains disconnected throughout your repair, preventing your computer from accidentally powering on. It’s also a good idea to take it out so it doesn’t fall out unexpectedly.

Grasp the Interposer with tweezers.

An interposer is the name for an interface that links one electrical connection to another. In this repair, it is the board connecting the battery to logic board.

Lift the Interposer off the logic board and remove it.

Removing this board will ensure that the battery remains disconnected throughout your repair, preventing your computer from accidentally powering on. It’s also a good idea to take it out so it doesn’t fall out unexpectedly.

Step 10

              I/O Board Data Cable

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the right side of the I/O board data cable connector up off its socket on the I/O board.
When prying the I/O board data cable connector from its socket, make sure to pry the connector itself and not the socket. Prying the socket may cause irreversible damage to the I/O board.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the right side of the I/O board data cable connector up off its socket on the I/O board.

When prying the I/O board data cable connector from its socket, make sure to pry the connector itself and not the socket. Prying the socket may cause irreversible damage to the I/O board.

Step 11

Wedge the flat end of a spudger beneath the left side of the I/O board data cable connector.
Gently twist the spudger to disconnect the I/O board data cable connector from its socket on the logic board.

Wedge the flat end of a spudger beneath the left side of the I/O board data cable connector.

Gently twist the spudger to disconnect the I/O board data cable connector from its socket on the logic board.

Step 12

Lift and remove the I/O board data cable from the MacBook Pro.

Lift and remove the I/O board data cable from the MacBook Pro.

Step 13

              Right Speaker

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the SSD cable connector up from its socket on the logic board.
Move the SSD cable connector out of the way.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the SSD cable connector up from its socket on the logic board.

Move the SSD cable connector out of the way.

Step 14

Wedge the pointed end of a spudger beneath the right speaker cable connector.
Gently pry the right speaker cable connector up off from its socket on the logic board.
Be sure you are prying up on the connector, not the socket itself.

Wedge the pointed end of a spudger beneath the right speaker cable connector.

Gently pry the right speaker cable connector up off from its socket on the logic board.

Be sure you are prying up on the connector, not the socket itself.

Step 15

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the following screws securing the right speaker to the upper case:
One black 6.8 mm screw
One silver 6.3 mm screw
One black 4.9 mm screw
The silver screw (in the corner) may be covered with a foam pad. If so, use your tweezers to peel it up and remove it.

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the following screws securing the right speaker to the upper case:

One black 6.8 mm screw

One silver 6.3 mm screw

One black 4.9 mm screw

The silver screw (in the corner) may be covered with a foam pad. If so, use your tweezers to peel it up and remove it.

Step 16

Lift and remove the right speaker out of the upper case.
If necessary, de-route the right speaker cable from its channel in the upper case.

Lift and remove the right speaker out of the upper case.

If necessary, de-route the right speaker cable from its channel in the upper case.

Step 17

              Left Speaker

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the headphone jack cable connector straight up off its socket on the logic board.
Gently bend the headphone jack cable to 90° up from the logic board.
Bending the headphone jack cable will allow you to disconnect the left speaker cable connector without having the headphone jack cable in the way.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the headphone jack cable connector straight up off its socket on the logic board.

Gently bend the headphone jack cable to 90° up from the logic board.

Bending the headphone jack cable will allow you to disconnect the left speaker cable connector without having the headphone jack cable in the way.

Step 18

Wedge the tip of a spudger beneath the left speaker cable connector.
Gently pry the left speaker cable connector up off from its socket on the logic board.
Be sure you are prying up on the connector, not the socket itself.

Wedge the tip of a spudger beneath the left speaker cable connector.

Gently pry the left speaker cable connector up off from its socket on the logic board.

Step 19

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the following screws securing the left speaker to the upper case:
One black 6.8 mm screw
One silver 6.3 mm screw
One black 4.9 mm screw
The silver screw (in the corner) may be covered with a foam pad. If so, use your tweezers to peel it up and remove it.

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the following screws securing the left speaker to the upper case:

Step 20

Lift and remove the left speaker out of the upper case.

Lift and remove the left speaker out of the upper case.

Step 21

              SSD Assembly

Use your thumb or finger to bend the plastic spring bar on the SSD tray, freeing the two clips at the front side of the device.
While holding the spring bar depressed, tilt the SSD assembly up out of its cavity.

Use your thumb or finger to bend the plastic spring bar on the SSD tray, freeing the two clips at the front side of the device.

While holding the spring bar depressed, tilt the SSD assembly up out of its cavity.

Step 22

Remove the SSD assembly from the upper case.

Remove the SSD assembly from the upper case.

Step 23

              Battery

Remove three 2.2 mm T5 Torx screws from each side of the battery (six screws total).

Remove three 2.2 mm T5 Torx screws from each side of the battery (six screws total).

Step 24

The liquid adhesive remover provided in your kit can affect the antireflective coating on your MacBook Pro’s display.
To protect your display, place a sheet of aluminum foil between the display and keyboard and leave it there while you work.

The liquid adhesive remover provided in your kit can affect the antireflective coating on your MacBook Pro’s display.

To protect your display, place a sheet of aluminum foil between the display and keyboard and leave it there while you work.

Step 25

Now that your MacBook Pro is fully prepped, it’s time to prep yourself.
iFixit adhesive remover contains acetone, a mild skin and eye irritant.
Wear eye protection when handling and applying the adhesive remover. (Eye protection is included in your kit.)
Do not wear contact lenses without eye protection.
Protective gloves are also included in your kit. If you are concerned about skin irritation, put your gloves on now.

Now that your MacBook Pro is fully prepped, it’s time to prep yourself.

iFixit adhesive remover contains acetone, a mild skin and eye irritant.

Wear eye protection when handling and applying the adhesive remover. (Eye protection is included in your kit.)

Do not wear contact lenses without eye protection.

Protective gloves are also included in your kit. If you are concerned about skin irritation, put your gloves on now.

Step 26

Pull off the black rubber stopper from your bottle of adhesive remover.
Twist to loosen or remove the bottle cap before you cut the applicator tip.
This unseals the bottle and allows the pressure to equalize before you cut the applicator tip. If you skip this step, the adhesive remover may spray out unexpectedly when the tip is cut.
Use scissors to cut off the sealed tip of the applicator.
Cutting close to the narrow tip will give you better control so you can apply the adhesive remover in small amounts.
Twist and close the bottle cap securely before you proceed further.

Pull off the black rubber stopper from your bottle of adhesive remover.

Twist to loosen or remove the bottle cap before you cut the applicator tip.

This unseals the bottle and allows the pressure to equalize before you cut the applicator tip. If you skip this step, the adhesive remover may spray out unexpectedly when the tip is cut.

Use scissors to cut off the sealed tip of the applicator.

Cutting close to the narrow tip will give you better control so you can apply the adhesive remover in small amounts.

Twist and close the bottle cap securely before you proceed further.

Step 27

Apply a few drops of adhesive remover evenly under the edge of the leftmost battery cell.
You don’t need to use very much. The small bottle contains more than twice the amount of solvent needed to remove all the battery cells.
Wait 2-3 minutes for the liquid adhesive remover to penetrate underneath the battery cell before you proceed to the next step.

Apply a few drops of adhesive remover evenly under the edge of the leftmost battery cell.

You don’t need to use very much. The small bottle contains more than twice the amount of solvent needed to remove all the battery cells.

Wait 2-3 minutes for the liquid adhesive remover to penetrate underneath the battery cell before you proceed to the next step.

Step 28

Insert the flat edge of a spudger or plastic card underneath the leftmost battery cell.
Run your tool along the bottom perimeter of the battery cell and lift to begin separating the adhesive.

Insert the flat edge of a spudger or plastic card underneath the leftmost battery cell.

Run your tool along the bottom perimeter of the battery cell and lift to begin separating the adhesive.

Step 29

Insert the spudger along the left-hand side of the leftmost battery cell.
Run the spudger up along the left side of the leftmost battery cell.
Slightly pry the leftmost battery cell to release it from the adhesive.

Insert the spudger along the left-hand side of the leftmost battery cell.

Run the spudger up along the left side of the leftmost battery cell.

Slightly pry the leftmost battery cell to release it from the adhesive.

Step 30

Repeat the above steps to separate the adjacent battery cell from its adhesive:
Apply a few drops of liquid adhesive remover under the battery cell.
Wait 2-3 minutes for the adhesive remover to penetrate and soften the adhesive.
Carefully wedge a spudger or plastic card inwards, being careful to not damage the battery, and separate the battery cell from the adhesive securing it to your MacBook Pro.

Repeat the above steps to separate the adjacent battery cell from its adhesive:

Apply a few drops of liquid adhesive remover under the battery cell.

Wait 2-3 minutes for the adhesive remover to penetrate and soften the adhesive.

Carefully wedge a spudger or plastic card inwards, being careful to not damage the battery, and separate the battery cell from the adhesive securing it to your MacBook Pro.

Step 31

Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath the larger leftmost battery cell.
Carefully wedge the spudger inwards, being careful to not damage the battery cells.
Pry the larger leftmost battery cell up off the upper case.

Insert the flat end of a spudger underneath the larger leftmost battery cell.

Carefully wedge the spudger inwards, being careful to not damage the battery cells.

Pry the larger leftmost battery cell up off the upper case.

Step 32

Grasp the battery cells and gently move (but do not remove) them from their recess in the upper case.
Leave the battery cells resting on top of the upper case as shown in the third picture.

Grasp the battery cells and gently move (but do not remove) them from their recess in the upper case.

Leave the battery cells resting on top of the upper case as shown in the third picture.

Step 33

Switch sides and repeat the above procedure for the two battery cells on the right-hand side of the MacBook Pro.
Remember to add a small amount of liquid adhesive remover under each battery cell, and wait 2-3 minutes for it to penetrate before prying up the cell.
Be careful not to puncture or otherwise damage the battery cells.

Switch sides and repeat the above procedure for the two battery cells on the right-hand side of the MacBook Pro.

Remember to add a small amount of liquid adhesive remover under each battery cell, and wait 2-3 minutes for it to penetrate before prying up the cell.

Be careful not to puncture or otherwise damage the battery cells.

Step 34

Lift the battery as a whole up out of the upper case, and remove the battery.
Before installing a new battery, remove all the old adhesive from the MacBook Pro’s case.
With a little luck, you can slowly pull out each strip of adhesive with your fingers.
Otherwise, soak each section of adhesive with a bit of adhesive remover for 2-3 minutes, and then scrape it out with an opening pick or one of the other tools in your kit. This can take quite a bit of work, so be patient.
Mop up any remaining adhesive remover and give your MacBook Pro a few minutes to air dry.
The replacement battery included in your iFixit kit comes with adhesive pre-installed. Test the battery’s fit and alignment carefully before peeling off the film covering the adhesive, and then press each cell firmly into place. If any additional films/liners are present that weren’t on your original battery, remove them now.
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 Pro’s SMC.

Lift the battery as a whole up out of the upper case, and remove the battery.

Before installing a new battery, remove all the old adhesive from the MacBook Pro’s case.

With a little luck, you can slowly pull out each strip of adhesive with your fingers.

Otherwise, soak each section of adhesive with a bit of adhesive remover for 2-3 minutes, and then scrape it out with an opening pick or one of the other tools in your kit. This can take quite a bit of work, so be patient.

Mop up any remaining adhesive remover and give your MacBook Pro a few minutes to air dry.

The replacement battery included in your iFixit kit comes with adhesive pre-installed. Test the battery’s fit and alignment carefully before peeling off the film covering the adhesive, and then press each cell firmly into place. If any additional films/liners are present that weren’t on your original battery, remove them now.

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 Pro’s SMC.

Step 35

              Logic Board Assembly

Use the tip of a spudger to push the edges of the I/O board connector straight out of its socket on the logic board.
It is recommended to carefully push on both sides of the connector to “walk” it out of its socket.

Use the tip of a spudger to push the edges of the I/O board connector straight out of its socket on the logic board.

It is recommended to carefully push on both sides of the connector to “walk” it out of its socket.

Step 36

Use the tip of a spudger to push the iSight camera cable connector straight away from its socket on the logic board.
It is recommended to carefully push on both sides of the connector to “walk” it out of its socket.

Use the tip of a spudger to push the iSight camera cable connector straight away from its socket on the logic board.

Step 37

Move the iSight camera cable aside.

Move the iSight camera cable aside.

Step 38

Wedge the flat end of a spudger underneath the keyboard backlight connector and the logic board.
Gently twist the flat end of a spudger upwards to pry the keyboard backlight connector up off its socket on the logic board.

Wedge the flat end of a spudger underneath the keyboard backlight connector and the logic board.

Gently twist the flat end of a spudger upwards to pry the keyboard backlight connector up off its socket on the logic board.

Step 39

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the trackpad ribbon cable ZIF socket.
Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.
Grasp the plastic pull tab and pull the trackpad ribbon cable out of its socket.

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the trackpad ribbon cable ZIF socket.

Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.

Grasp the plastic pull tab and pull the trackpad ribbon cable out of its socket.

Step 40

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the keyboard ribbon cable ZIF socket.
Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.
Grasp the plastic pull tab and pull the keyboard ribbon cable out of its socket.

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the keyboard ribbon cable ZIF socket.

Grasp the plastic pull tab and pull the keyboard ribbon cable out of its socket.

Step 41

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the microphone ribbon cable ZIF socket.
Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.
Grasp the plastic pull tab and pull the microphone ribbon cable out of its socket.

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the microphone ribbon cable ZIF socket.

Grasp the plastic pull tab and pull the microphone ribbon cable out of its socket.

Step 42

Use the tip of a spudger to rotate the pull tab secured to the display data cable lock toward the DC-In side of the computer.

Use the tip of a spudger to rotate the pull tab secured to the display data cable lock toward the DC-In side of the computer.

Step 43

Gently push the edges of the display data cable connector away from its socket on the logic board.
It is recommended “walk” the connector out of its socket. Simply push the top and bottom corners of the connector and carefully “walk it out” of its socket.
Pull, but do not remove, the display data cable connector out of its socket and carefully move it out of the way.

Gently push the edges of the display data cable connector away from its socket on the logic board.

It is recommended “walk” the connector out of its socket. Simply push the top and bottom corners of the connector and carefully “walk it out” of its socket.

Pull, but do not remove, the display data cable connector out of its socket and carefully move it out of the way.

Step 44

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the left fan ribbon cable ZIF socket.
Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.
Carefully pull the left fan ribbon cable out of its socket.

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the left fan ribbon cable ZIF socket.

Carefully pull the left fan ribbon cable out of its socket.

Step 45

Move the left fan ribbon cable aside to reveal a hidden screw securing the logic board assembly to the upper case.

Move the left fan ribbon cable aside to reveal a hidden screw securing the logic board assembly to the upper case.

Step 46

Remove the following screws securing the logic board to the upper case:
Eight 3.3 mm T5 Torx screws
One Phillips #00 screw
Two 3.1 mm T5 Torx screws
Remove two more screws, from the MagSafe DC-In board in the upper right corner (second image).
Two 3.4 mm T5 Torx screws

Remove the following screws securing the logic board to the upper case:

Eight 3.3 mm T5 Torx screws

One Phillips #00 screw

Two 3.1 mm T5 Torx screws

Remove two more screws, from the MagSafe DC-In board in the upper right corner (second image).

Two 3.4 mm T5 Torx screws

Step 47

Carefully lift the logic board assembly from its left side and work it out of the upper case, minding any cables and the I/O ports that may get caught during removal.
Pull the right I/O port side of the logic board away from the side of the upper case and remove the logic board assembly.

Carefully lift the logic board assembly from its left side and work it out of the upper case, minding any cables and the I/O ports that may get caught during removal.

Pull the right I/O port side of the logic board away from the side of the upper case and remove the logic board assembly.

Step 48

              I/O Board

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry and disconnect the three antenna cable connectors from the AirPort board.
The three cables are coded with black sleeves of different lengths. During reassembly:
Connect the long-sleeved cable to the center socket.
The short-sleeved cable connects next to the screw.
The remaining cable has no sleeve, and connects in the last empty socket, next to the fan.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry and disconnect the three antenna cable connectors from the AirPort board.

The three cables are coded with black sleeves of different lengths. During reassembly:

Connect the long-sleeved cable to the center socket.

The short-sleeved cable connects next to the screw.

The remaining cable has no sleeve, and connects in the last empty socket, next to the fan.

Step 49

Remove the following two screws securing the I/O board to the upper case:
One 3.53 mm T5 Torx screw
One 4.89 mm T8 Torx standoff screw

Remove the following two screws securing the I/O board to the upper case:

One 3.53 mm T5 Torx screw

One 4.89 mm T8 Torx standoff screw

Step 50

Carefully pull and remove the I/O board away from its recess in the upper case.

Carefully pull and remove the I/O board away from its recess in the upper case.

Step 51

              Headphone Jack Assembly

Remove the two 3.4 mm T5 Torx screws securing the headphone jack to the upper case.

Remove the two 3.4 mm T5 Torx screws securing the headphone jack to the upper case.

Step 52

Lift and remove the headphone jack out of the upper case.

Lift and remove the headphone jack out of the upper case.

Step 53

              Display Assembly

Use a pair of tweezers to lift the rubber hinge covers up off the right and left display hinges.

Use a pair of tweezers to lift the rubber hinge covers up off the right and left display hinges.

Step 54

Remove the 3.2 mm T5 Torx screws (one on each side) securing the aluminum hinge brackets to the upper case.

Remove the 3.2 mm T5 Torx screws (one on each side) securing the aluminum hinge brackets to the upper case.

Step 55

Use a pair of tweezers to lift aluminum hinge brackets off the right and left display hinges.

Use a pair of tweezers to lift aluminum hinge brackets off the right and left display hinges.

Step 56

Remove the four inner 5.3 mm T8 Torx screws (two on each side) securing the display to the upper case.

Remove the four inner 5.3 mm T8 Torx screws (two on each side) securing the display to the upper case.

Step 57

Open the MacBook Pro approximately 110 degrees, and place it sideways on the table, as shown.
While holding the display and upper case together with your left hand, remove the remaining T8 Torx screw from the lower display bracket.
Be sure to hold the display and upper case together with your left hand. Failure to do so may cause the freed display/upper case to fall, potentially damaging each component.
Remove the last remaining T8 Torx screw securing the display to the upper case.

Open the MacBook Pro approximately 110 degrees, and place it sideways on the table, as shown.

While holding the display and upper case together with your left hand, remove the remaining T8 Torx screw from the lower display bracket.

Be sure to hold the display and upper case together with your left hand. Failure to do so may cause the freed display/upper case to fall, potentially damaging each component.

Remove the last remaining T8 Torx screw securing the display to the upper case.

Step 58

Grip both halves of the device, one in each hand.
Gently push forward on the bottom half of the device to detach it from the display assembly.
Carefully set each component aside, making sure to set down the lower half keyboard-side down.

Grip both halves of the device, one in each hand.

Gently push forward on the bottom half of the device to detach it from the display assembly.

Carefully set each component aside, making sure to set down the lower half keyboard-side down.

Step 59

              Trackpad

Remove the following screws securing the trackpad to the upper case:
Four 1.4 mm Phillips #000 screws

Remove the following screws securing the trackpad to the upper case:

Four 1.4 mm Phillips #000 screws

Step 60

Wedge the spudger between the trackpad ribbon cable and the upper case.
Run the spudger along the bottom to release the trackpad ribbon cable from the adhesive securing it to the upper case.

Wedge the spudger between the trackpad ribbon cable and the upper case.

Run the spudger along the bottom to release the trackpad ribbon cable from the adhesive securing it to the upper case.

Step 61

Insert the tip of a spudger in between the trackpad ribbon cable and the upper case.
Carefully thread the trackpad ribbon cable out of the notch near the top of the SSD assembly cavity.

Insert the tip of a spudger in between the trackpad ribbon cable and the upper case.

Carefully thread the trackpad ribbon cable out of the notch near the top of the SSD assembly cavity.

Step 62

Once the trackpad is free of the upper case, guide the trackpad ribbon cable through the slot cut in the upper case.
Remove the trackpad from the upper case.

Once the trackpad is free of the upper case, guide the trackpad ribbon cable through the slot cut in the upper case.

Remove the trackpad from the upper case.

Step 63

              Microphone Assembly

For this step, it is recommended to use a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the adhesive securing the microphone assembly to the upper case. You may be able to remove it without doing so, but will risk damaging the microphone cable.
With the heat gun set to low, heat the microphone assembly to loosen the adhesive attaching it to the upper case.
Be very careful not to overheat the microphones or upper case. Keep in mind that the plastic keyboard is on the other side—too much heat in a single place can melt keys.

For this step, it is recommended to use a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the adhesive securing the microphone assembly to the upper case. You may be able to remove it without doing so, but will risk damaging the microphone cable.

With the heat gun set to low, heat the microphone assembly to loosen the adhesive attaching it to the upper case.

Be very careful not to overheat the microphones or upper case. Keep in mind that the plastic keyboard is on the other side—too much heat in a single place can melt keys.

Step 64

Use the tip of a spudger to remove the piece of tape covering one of two microphones.
Grasp the piece of tape with a pair of tweezers and remove it.

Use the tip of a spudger to remove the piece of tape covering one of two microphones.

Grasp the piece of tape with a pair of tweezers and remove it.

Step 65

Repeat the same procedure as the previous step to remove the tape covering the second microphone.

Repeat the same procedure as the previous step to remove the tape covering the second microphone.

Step 66

Wedge the tip of a spudger underneath the microphone assembly cable.
Run the spudger up along the bottom of the microphone assembly cable to separate it from the upper case.

Wedge the tip of a spudger underneath the microphone assembly cable.

Run the spudger up along the bottom of the microphone assembly cable to separate it from the upper case.

Step 67

Gently wedge the tip of a spudger underneath the second microphone and push inwards to loosen the adhesive.
At this point the second microphone should be completely detached from the upper case.

Gently wedge the tip of a spudger underneath the second microphone and push inwards to loosen the adhesive.

At this point the second microphone should be completely detached from the upper case.

Step 68

Carefully pry the first microphone up off the upper case.

Carefully pry the first microphone up off the upper case.

Step 69

Lift and remove the microphone assembly out of the upper case.

Lift and remove the microphone assembly out of the upper case.

Step 70

              Upper Case

Upper case remains.

Upper case remains.

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

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                    Walter Galan

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Patricia - May 4, 2016

Wow, it worked! I am computer literate but have not taken my computer apart in years. Your photos and attention to detail were much appreciated. Any woman can and should attempt to do this herself. Thanks so much for the great tutorial!

Tricia

Macrepair SF - Oct 2, 2018

If uppercase Assembly(Includes Trackpad, keyboard, Palmrest & BATTERY) is being replaced, there is no need to remove battery from old uppercase assembly.

Introduction#

What you need#

Introduction

What you need