Macbook Pro 13 Touch Bar 2018 Usb C Thunderbolt Ports Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          3 hours

Sections

Logic board
31 steps
USB-C/Thunderbolt ports
2 steps

Flags

Member-Contributed Guide

An awesome member of our community made this guide. It is not managed by iFixit staff.

BackMacBook Pro 13" Touch Bar 2018
Full Screen
Options
History
Save to Favorites
Download PDF
Edit
Translate
Get Shareable Link
Embed This Guide
Notify Me of Changes
Stop Notifications

Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Disable Auto Boot

Before starting this procedure, you must 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 or follow the abbreviated instructions below to disable Auto Boot. This command may not work on all Macs.
Power on your Mac and launch Terminal.
Copy and paste the following command (or type it exactly) into Terminal:
‘sudo nvram AutoBoot=%00
Press [return]. If prompted, enter your administrator password and press [return] again. Note: Your return key may also be labeled ⏎ or “enter.”
You can now safely power down your Mac and open the bottom case, without it accidentally powering on.
When your repair is complete and your Mac is successfully reassembled, re-enable Auto Boot with the following command (typed into Terminal, as shown above):
sudo nvram AutoBoot=%03

Before starting this procedure, you must 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 or follow the abbreviated instructions below to disable Auto Boot. This command may not work on all Macs.

Power on your Mac and launch Terminal.

Copy and paste the following command (or type it exactly) into Terminal:

‘sudo nvram AutoBoot=%00

Press [return]. If prompted, enter your administrator password and press [return] again. Note: Your return key may also be labeled ⏎ or “enter.”

You can now safely power down your Mac and open the bottom case, without it accidentally powering on.

When your repair is complete and your Mac is successfully reassembled, re-enable Auto Boot with the following command (typed into Terminal, as shown above):

sudo nvram AutoBoot=%03

1024

Step 2

              Remove the pentalobe screws

Before proceeding, unplug and power down your MacBook. Close the display and lay it on a soft surface, top-side down.
Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove the six screws securing the lower case:
Two 6.2 mm screws
Four 3.4 mm 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.

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

Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove the six screws securing the lower case:

Two 6.2 mm screws

Four 3.4 mm 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.

Step 3

              Open a gap using a suction cup

Apply a suction handle to the lower case near the front-center area of the MacBook Pro.
Lift the suction handle to create a slight gap between the lower case and the chassis.

Apply a suction handle to the lower case near the front-center area of the MacBook Pro.

Lift the suction handle to create a slight gap between the lower case and the chassis.

Step 4

              Separate the clips

Insert one corner of an opening pick into the space between the lower case and the chassis.
Slide the opening pick around the nearest corner and halfway up the side of the case.
This releases the first of the hidden clips securing the lower case to the chassis. You should feel and hear the clip pop free.

Insert one corner of an opening pick into the space between the lower case and the chassis.

Slide the opening pick around the nearest corner and halfway up the side of the case.

This releases the first of the hidden clips securing the lower case to the chassis. You should feel and hear the clip pop free.

Step 5

Repeat the previous step on the opposite side, sliding your opening pick under the lower case and up the side to pop the second clip free.

Repeat the previous step on the opposite side, sliding your opening pick under the lower case and up the side to pop the second clip free.

Step 6

Insert your opening pick once again under the front edge of the lower case, near one of the two centermost screw holes.
Give the pick a firm twist to pop free the third clip securing the lower case to the chassis.
Repeat this procedure near the other of the two centermost screw holes, popping the fourth clip free.

Insert your opening pick once again under the front edge of the lower case, near one of the two centermost screw holes.

Give the pick a firm twist to pop free the third clip securing the lower case to the chassis.

Repeat this procedure near the other of the two centermost screw holes, popping the fourth clip free.

Step 7

Pull the lower case firmly towards the front of the MacBook (away from the hinge area) to separate the last of the clips securing the lower case.
Pull first at one corner, then the other.
Pull to the side—not up.
This can require a lot of force.

Pull the lower case firmly towards the front of the MacBook (away from the hinge area) to separate the last of the clips securing the lower case.

Pull first at one corner, then the other.

Pull to the side—not up.

This can require a lot of force.

Step 8

              Remove the lower case

Remove the lower case.

Remove the lower case.

Step 9

              Uncover the battery connector

Carefully peel up the large piece of tape covering the battery connector, on the edge of the logic board nearest the battery.
Remove the tape.

Carefully peel up the large piece of tape covering the battery connector, on the edge of the logic board nearest the battery.

Remove the tape.

Step 10

Gently peel back the small piece of tape covering the battery board data cable connector.
The tape is integrated into the ribbon cable and will not detach completely. Simply peel it back enough to access the connector.

Gently peel back the small piece of tape covering the battery board data cable connector.

The tape is integrated into the ribbon cable and will not detach completely. Simply peel it back enough to access the connector.

Step 11

Disconnect the battery board data cable by sliding it out from its socket.
Slide parallel to the logic board, in the direction of the cable.

Disconnect the battery board data cable by sliding it out from its socket.

Slide parallel to the logic board, in the direction of the cable.

Step 12

Fold the battery board data cable to the side and out of the way.

Fold the battery board data cable to the side and out of the way.

Step 13

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 3.7 mm pancake screw securing the battery power connector.

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 3.7 mm pancake screw securing the battery power connector.

Step 14

              Disconnect the battery

Use a spudger to gently lift the battery power connector, disconnecting the battery.
Lift the connector high enough so that it stays separated from its socket. If it accidentally makes contact during the course of your repair, it could damage your MacBook Pro.

Use a spudger to gently lift the battery power connector, disconnecting the battery.

Lift the connector high enough so that it stays separated from its socket. If it accidentally makes contact during the course of your repair, it could damage your MacBook Pro.

Step 15

              Remove the trackpad connector screws

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.8 mm screws securing the trackpad cable connector bracket.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.8 mm screws securing the trackpad cable connector bracket.

Step 16

Remove the trackpad cable connector bracket with a pair of tweezers.

Remove the trackpad cable connector bracket with a pair of tweezers.

Step 17

Use a spudger to disconnect the trackpad ribbon cable by gently prying its connector straight up from the logic board.

Use a spudger to disconnect the trackpad ribbon cable by gently prying its connector straight up from the logic board.

Step 18

              Disconnect keyboard connector

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two screws.
Two T3 Torx Screws.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two screws.

Two T3 Torx Screws.

Step 19

              Unplug Left speaker cables

Carefully peel back the black tape to reveal the ZIF connector.
Unlatch the ZIF connector by flicking the arm on the connector upwards and carefully remove the cable from the connector by sliding it out.
Repeat this process with the newly revealed connector.
The two screws that are outlined in yellow are not relevant to this step and are marked on the board itself. For this step, yellow corresponds to the yellow rectangle in the image.

Carefully peel back the black tape to reveal the ZIF connector.

Unlatch the ZIF connector by flicking the arm on the connector upwards and carefully remove the cable from the connector by sliding it out.

Repeat this process with the newly revealed connector.

The two screws that are outlined in yellow are not relevant to this step and are marked on the board itself. For this step, yellow corresponds to the yellow rectangle in the image.

Step 20

              Unplug left Thunderbolt ports

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two screws.
Two T3 Torx screws.
Once the screw have been removed carefully remove the metal shield.
Under the metal shield there is a connector, carefully unplug it.

Two T3 Torx screws.

Once the screw have been removed carefully remove the metal shield.

Under the metal shield there is a connector, carefully unplug it.

Step 21

              Unplug Touch ID and Auxiliary port

Use a T4 Torx driver to remove the two screws.
Two T4 Torx screws.
Carefully remove the metal shield.
Under the metal shield you will find two connectors, carefully unclip them.
The second cable you will disconnect will be lightly adhered so carefully slide a plastic spudger under it and finally unplug it.
The adhered cable is very thin and delicate so don’t rush it and take your time.

Use a T4 Torx driver to remove the two screws.

Two T4 Torx screws.

Carefully remove the metal shield.

Under the metal shield you will find two connectors, carefully unclip them.

The second cable you will disconnect will be lightly adhered so carefully slide a plastic spudger under it and finally unplug it.

The adhered cable is very thin and delicate so don’t rush it and take your time.

Step 22

              Disconnecting the display connector

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four screws.
4 T3 Torx screws.
Once the screws are removes carefully remove the metal shields.
Carefully unclip the connector.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four screws.

4 T3 Torx screws.

Once the screws are removes carefully remove the metal shields.

Carefully unclip the connector.

Step 23

              Disconnect wifi and Bluetooth antennas

Disconnect the cables carefully with a plastic pry tool.
Be gentle, if too much force is applied it can take the board connector up with it.

Disconnect the cables carefully with a plastic pry tool.

Be gentle, if too much force is applied it can take the board connector up with it.

Step 24

              Touch Bar cable 1

Use a T4 Torx driver to remove the two screws.
Remove the metal shield carefully.
Carefully unplug the connector.

Remove the metal shield carefully.

Carefully unplug the connector.

Step 25

              Right speaker cable

Carefully peel back the black tape to reveal the ZIF connector.
Unlatch the ZIF connector by flicking the arm on the connector upwards and carefully remove the cable from the connector by sliding it out.
Repeat this process with the newly revealed connector.

Step 26

              ZIF connector

Carefully peel back the black tape to reveal the ZIF connector.
Unlatch the ZIF connector by flicking the arm on the connector upwards and carefully remove the cable from the connector by sliding it out.

Step 27

              Unplug Right Thunderbolt ports

Use a T4 Torx driver to remove the two screws.
Two T4 Torx screws.
Once the screw have been removed carefully remove the metal shield.
Under the metal shield there is a connector, carefully unplug it.

Step 28

Use a T4 Torx driver to remove the screw.
T4 Torx screw.
Remove the metal shield carefully.
Carefully unplug the connector.
The two screws that are outlined in yellow are not relevant to this step and are marked on the board itself. For this step, yellow corresponds to the yellow rectangle in the image.

Use a T4 Torx driver to remove the screw.

T4 Torx screw.

Step 29

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the six screws securing the logic board.
8 T5 Torx screws.
Use a T4 Torx driver to remove the six screws securing the logic board.
3 T4 Torx screws.

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the six screws securing the logic board.

8 T5 Torx screws.

Use a T4 Torx driver to remove the six screws securing the logic board.

3 T4 Torx screws.

Step 30

Carefully lift up the logic board, make sure none of the connectors are connected, also make sure they aren’t caught on the logic board.

Carefully lift up the logic board, make sure none of the connectors are connected, also make sure they aren’t caught on the logic board.

Step 31

Congratulations you have now replaced you MacBook’s LogicBoard, if you have any questions please ask!
Thanks:-)

Congratulations you have now replaced you MacBook’s LogicBoard, if you have any questions please ask!

Thanks:-)

Step 32

              Remove the USB-C/Thunderbolt

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the two screws.
Two T5 screws
Carefully remove the port
Repeat on the other side

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the two screws.

Two T5 screws

Carefully remove the port

Repeat on the other side

Step 33

Congratulations!
You have now replace your USB-C/Thunderbolt Port
If you have any questions please ask:-)

Congratulations!

You have now replace your USB-C/Thunderbolt Port

If you have any questions please ask:-)

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

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

                                                                                      2 other people completed this guide.

Author

                                      with 1 other contributor

                    HelloMacOS

Member since: 01/24/2022

21,051 Reputation

                                      8 Guides authored                  



                       Badges:
                       35







                                                        +32 more badges

Team

                       Repair is War on Entropy                        

                                                  Member of Repair is War on Entropy 



                    Community                     


                                            5 Members                     


                                            201 Guides authored

Member-Contributed Guide#

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Member-Contributed Guide

Introduction

What you need

Team