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Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

30

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

5

  • Disable Auto Boot
  • 1 step
  • Lower Case
  • 7 steps
  • Battery Connector
  • 7 steps
  • Antenna Cable Assembly
  • 11 steps
  • Display Assembly
  • 4 steps

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Introduction

Before starting this procedure, you may want to check with Apple to see if you qualify for a free repair. If your display’s backlight has stopped working, or the display shows vertical bright areas along the entire bottom of the screen (a.k.a. “stage lights”), your MacBook Pro may be eligible for Apple’s display backlight service program.

For your safety, drain your MacBook Pro’s battery below 25% charge before starting repairs.

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:
  • 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:

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.
  • To reinstall the lower case:
  • Set it in place and align the sliding clips near the display hinge. Press down and slide the cover toward the hinge. It should stop sliding as the clips engage.
  • When the sliding clips are fully engaged and the lower case looks correctly aligned, press down firmly on the lower case to engage the four hidden clips underneath. You should feel and hear them snap into place.

Remove the lower case.

To reinstall the lower case:

Set it in place and align the sliding clips near the display hinge. Press down and slide the cover toward the hinge. It should stop sliding as the clips engage.

When the sliding clips are fully engaged and the lower case looks correctly aligned, press down firmly on the lower case to engage the four hidden clips underneath. You should feel and hear them snap into place.

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

  • Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the small black locking tab securing the cable in its connector.

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the small black locking tab securing the cable in its connector.

Step 12

  • 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 13

  • 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 14

  • 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 15

              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 16

              Antenna Cable Assembly
  • Remove the four 1.9 mm T3 Torx screws securing the plastic covers on top of the display hinges.
  • Remove both plastic hinge covers.

Remove the four 1.9 mm T3 Torx screws securing the plastic covers on top of the display hinges.

Remove both plastic hinge covers.

Step 17

  • Remove the two 2.9 mm T3 Torx screws securing the aluminum cover on top of the main display cable.
  • Remove the cover.

Remove the two 2.9 mm T3 Torx screws securing the aluminum cover on top of the main display cable.

Remove the cover.

Step 18

  • Remove the two 1.7 mm T3 Torx screws securing the aluminum cover on top of the display cable flex connector.
  • Remove the cover.

Remove the two 1.7 mm T3 Torx screws securing the aluminum cover on top of the display cable flex connector.

Step 19

  • Pry the display board flex cable straight up from its socket to disconnect it from the display board.

Pry the display board flex cable straight up from its socket to disconnect it from the display board.

Step 20

  • Remove the four 1.5 mm T3 Torx screws securing the two aluminum covers on top of the two display cable connectors.
  • Use a pair of tweezers to remove the two aluminium covers.

Remove the four 1.5 mm T3 Torx screws securing the two aluminum covers on top of the two display cable connectors.

Use a pair of tweezers to remove the two aluminium covers.

Step 21

  • Remove the four 3.9 mm T5 Torx screws (two from each side) securing the antenna cable assembly.
  • Also remove the twelve 1.1 mm P2 pentalobe screws (six from each side).

Remove the four 3.9 mm T5 Torx screws (two from each side) securing the antenna cable assembly.

Also remove the twelve 1.1 mm P2 pentalobe screws (six from each side).

Step 22

  • Carefully disconnect the three antenna coax cables by prying them straight up from the logic board.
  • Slide your tweezers or the flat end of your spudger underneath each cable until it’s near the socket, and then gently twist or pry up to disconnect it.
  • To reconnect each cable, align the connector directly over its socket, and then press down so it snaps into place.

Carefully disconnect the three antenna coax cables by prying them straight up from the logic board.

Slide your tweezers or the flat end of your spudger underneath each cable until it’s near the socket, and then gently twist or pry up to disconnect it.

To reconnect each cable, align the connector directly over its socket, and then press down so it snaps into place.

Step 23

  • Remove the 2.8 mm T5 Torx screw securing the three antenna coax cables to the main board.

Remove the 2.8 mm T5 Torx screw securing the three antenna coax cables to the main board.

Step 24

  • Use an opening pick to lever out the antenna cable assembly in the areas shown.
  • Don’t slide the opening pick from side to side, because there are two display cables that can be damaged.

Use an opening pick to lever out the antenna cable assembly in the areas shown.

Don’t slide the opening pick from side to side, because there are two display cables that can be damaged.

Step 25

  • Carefully remove the antenna assembly, while simultaneously feeding the antenna cable bundle out from underneath the heat pipe.

Carefully remove the antenna assembly, while simultaneously feeding the antenna cable bundle out from underneath the heat pipe.

Step 26

  • Remove the antenna cable assembly.
  • During reassembly, gently pinch the cable bundle together and guide it under the heat pipe into the correct position on the board. If needed, use your tools to help guide it through, but don’t force it.

Remove the antenna cable assembly.

During reassembly, gently pinch the cable bundle together and guide it under the heat pipe into the correct position on the board. If needed, use your tools to help guide it through, but don’t force it.

Step 27

              Unscrew the display cable assembly
  • Remove the four 3.9 mm T3 Torx screws securing the two display cable cover springs.

Remove the four 3.9 mm T3 Torx screws securing the two display cable cover springs.

Step 28

              Remove the display cable assembly
  • Grab the left side of the display cable assembly and pull it towards the bottom end of the MacBook and away from the cover spring.
  • Use a pair of tweezers to pull the cover spring of the display cable out of its recess.
  • Repeat this step with the right cover spring of the display cable assembly.

Grab the left side of the display cable assembly and pull it towards the bottom end of the MacBook and away from the cover spring.

Use a pair of tweezers to pull the cover spring of the display cable out of its recess.

Repeat this step with the right cover spring of the display cable assembly.

Step 29

              Unscrew the hinge bolts
  • Fully open the screen and stand your MacBook Pro up on one side.
  • While steadying the MacBook pro with your free hand, remove the three T8 Torx screws from the lower display hinge.
  • Remove the remaining three T8 Torx screws from the upper display bracket.

Fully open the screen and stand your MacBook Pro up on one side.

While steadying the MacBook pro with your free hand, remove the three T8 Torx screws from the lower display hinge.

Remove the remaining three T8 Torx screws from the upper display bracket.

Step 30

              Remove the display assembly
  • Keep a firm grip on both the screen and main body of the MacBook Pro. Either half can fall unexpectedly during this step.
  • Push both halves of the MacBook Pro together so that the hinge brackets can be lifted clear of their recesses in the chassis.
  • Push the main body of the MacBook Pro away from you while pulling the screen toward you to separate it.
  • Remove the display/screen assembly, being careful not to snag it on any cables.

Keep a firm grip on both the screen and main body of the MacBook Pro. Either half can fall unexpectedly during this step.

Push both halves of the MacBook Pro together so that the hinge brackets can be lifted clear of their recesses in the chassis.

Push the main body of the MacBook Pro away from you while pulling the screen toward you to separate it.

Remove the display/screen assembly, being careful not to snag it on any cables.

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? Try some basic troubleshooting or search our Answers community for help.

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                                                                                      61 other people completed this guide.

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                    Dominik Schnabelrauch

Member since: 11/23/2016

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Lucas Zhu - Oct 16, 2018

Reply

Will this work for the a1708 model?

Dominik Schnabelrauch - Oct 18, 2018

Hello Lucas Zhu,

the interior build of the A1708 model is a bit different to this one. Especially the connection of the battery. You can check our guides for the A1708 model for the disconnection procedure. The removal of the display in general, is more or less the same with a few differences (e.g. two instead of 3 coax cables). Although the A1708 is a different model you might be able to remove the display following this guide.

Dana Altier-Jeske - Nov 8, 2018

Reply

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! You made my life so much easier. This guide was thorough and definitely made things a lot easier to understand.

mayer - Nov 19, 2018

Reply

I disagree with your difficulty level. I found this much harder than a standard display due to the size and number of tiny screws.

firdaus.abhar - Dec 1, 2018

Reply

Thanks for the guide! I’ve completed mine around 1 1/2 hours while being really careful not to short-circuit any components. Other video that I used for reference: https://youtu.be/153tVLIZVm8 and https://youtu.be/bEDhEWLrkUs