Macbook Pro 13 Unibody Mid 2010 Lcd Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Very difficult

Steps

Time Required

                          2 - 3 hours

Sections

Lower Case
2 steps
Battery
1 step
Display
12 steps
Front Display Glass
10 steps
Clutch Cover
2 steps
LCD
6 steps

Flags

BackMacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010
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Introduction

What you need

Step 1

              Remove the lower case screws

Remove the following 10 screws securing the lower case to the MacBook Pro 13" Unibody:
Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.
Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

Remove the following 10 screws securing the lower case to the MacBook Pro 13" Unibody:

Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.

Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

1024

Step 2

              Lift the lower case away

Slightly lift the lower case and push it toward the rear of the computer to free the mounting tabs.

Slightly lift the lower case and push it toward the rear of the computer to free the mounting tabs.

Step 3

              Battery

For precautionary purposes, we advise that you disconnect the battery connector from the logic board to avoid any electrical discharge.
Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the battery connector up out of its socket on the logic board.

For precautionary purposes, we advise that you disconnect the battery connector from the logic board to avoid any electrical discharge.

Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the battery connector up out of its socket on the logic board.

Step 4

              Display

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the subwoofer/right speaker cable connector out of its socket on the logic board.
Pry up from beneath the wires.

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the subwoofer/right speaker cable connector out of its socket on the logic board.

Pry up from beneath the wires.

Step 5

Disconnect the camera cable by pulling the male end straight away from its socket.
Make sure to pull the connector parallel to the face of the logic board and toward the optical drive, not straight up from its socket.

Disconnect the camera cable by pulling the male end straight away from its socket.

Make sure to pull the connector parallel to the face of the logic board and toward the optical drive, not straight up from its socket.

Step 6

De-route the camera data cable from the channel in the optical drive.

De-route the camera data cable from the channel in the optical drive.

Step 7

Remove the following screws:
Two 10 mm Phillips screws
One 3.8 mm Phillips screw
Slide the camera cable bracket out from under the subwoofer and remove it from the computer.

Remove the following screws:

Two 10 mm Phillips screws

One 3.8 mm Phillips screw

Slide the camera cable bracket out from under the subwoofer and remove it from the computer.

Step 8

Grab the plastic pull tab secured to the display data cable lock and rotate it toward the DC-In side of the computer.
Pull the display data cable connector straight away from its socket.
Make sure to pull the connector straight away and not straight up from its socket.

Grab the plastic pull tab secured to the display data cable lock and rotate it toward the DC-In side of the computer.

Pull the display data cable connector straight away from its socket.

Make sure to pull the connector straight away and not straight up from its socket.

Step 9

Remove the following two screws securing the display data cable bracket to the upper case:
One 8.6 mm Phillips screw
One 5.6 mm Phillips screw
Lift the display data cable bracket out of the upper case.

Remove the following two screws securing the display data cable bracket to the upper case:

One 8.6 mm Phillips screw

One 5.6 mm Phillips screw

Lift the display data cable bracket out of the upper case.

Step 10

If present, remove the small strip of foam tape stuck to the display screws near the display data cable.

If present, remove the small strip of foam tape stuck to the display screws near the display data cable.

Step 11

Remove the two outer 6.5 mm T8 Torx screws securing each of the two display brackets to the upper case (4 screws total).

Remove the two outer 6.5 mm T8 Torx screws securing each of the two display brackets to the upper case (4 screws total).

Step 12

Open your MacBook so the display is perpendicular to the upper case.
Place your opened MacBook on a table as pictured.
While holding the display and upper case together with your left hand, remove the remaining 6.5 mm T8 Torx screw from the lower display bracket.

Open your MacBook so the display is perpendicular to the upper case.

Place your opened MacBook on a table as pictured.

While holding the display and upper case together with your left hand, remove the remaining 6.5 mm T8 Torx screw from the lower display bracket.

Step 13

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.

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 14

Grab the upper case with your right hand and rotate it slightly toward the top of the display so the upper display bracket clears the edge of the upper case.
Rotate the display slightly away from the upper case.

Grab the upper case with your right hand and rotate it slightly toward the top of the display so the upper display bracket clears the edge of the upper case.

Rotate the display slightly away from the upper case.

Step 15

Lift the display up and away from the upper case, minding any brackets or cables that may get caught.

Lift the display up and away from the upper case, minding any brackets or cables that may get caught.

Step 16

              Front Display Glass

In the following steps, you will use a heat gun to soften the adhesive securing the outer black border around the underside of the front glass panel to the display. The area the adhesive is applied to is shown in red in the second picture.
With the heat gun set to low, start by heating the outer black border near the upper right corner of the glass panel.
Always aim the heat gun away from the soft rubber strip around the display glass. Heating the rubber will cause it to melt slightly, turning its finish from matte to glossy. Touching overheated rubber can cause it to permanently deform.
Due to the heat applied, it is normal for a layer of condensation to develop on the inside of the glass panel and/or the outside of the LCD. It can be removed with glass cleaner once the glass is separated from the display.

In the following steps, you will use a heat gun to soften the adhesive securing the outer black border around the underside of the front glass panel to the display. The area the adhesive is applied to is shown in red in the second picture.

With the heat gun set to low, start by heating the outer black border near the upper right corner of the glass panel.

Always aim the heat gun away from the soft rubber strip around the display glass. Heating the rubber will cause it to melt slightly, turning its finish from matte to glossy. Touching overheated rubber can cause it to permanently deform.

Due to the heat applied, it is normal for a layer of condensation to develop on the inside of the glass panel and/or the outside of the LCD. It can be removed with glass cleaner once the glass is separated from the display.

Step 17

With the panel sufficiently heated, fasten a heavy-duty suction cup near the upper right corner of the display glass.
Don’t fasten the suction cup on top of the rubber strip around the edge of the display glass.
To attach the suction cups we sell, first position the suction cup with the movable handle parallel to the face of the glass panel. While lightly holding the suction cup against the glass, raise the movable handle until it is parallel with the other handle.
Slowly and gently pull the corner of the display glass up off the display assembly.
If only the top edge of the glass lifts up (as seen in the third picture), repeat steps one and two until you can lift up the corner of the panel.

With the panel sufficiently heated, fasten a heavy-duty suction cup near the upper right corner of the display glass.

Don’t fasten the suction cup on top of the rubber strip around the edge of the display glass.

To attach the suction cups we sell, first position the suction cup with the movable handle parallel to the face of the glass panel. While lightly holding the suction cup against the glass, raise the movable handle until it is parallel with the other handle.

Slowly and gently pull the corner of the display glass up off the display assembly.

If only the top edge of the glass lifts up (as seen in the third picture), repeat steps one and two until you can lift up the corner of the panel.

Step 18

Gently lift the corner of the display glass enough to insert a spudger between it and the display assembly.
Use the flat end of a spudger to gently pry up the adhesive securing the front glass to the display.
Pry up the glass panel a few inches away from the upper right corner along the top and right edges of the display.

Gently lift the corner of the display glass enough to insert a spudger between it and the display assembly.

Use the flat end of a spudger to gently pry up the adhesive securing the front glass to the display.

Pry up the glass panel a few inches away from the upper right corner along the top and right edges of the display.

Step 19

Use a heat gun to soften the adhesive under the black strip along the right side of the front glass panel.
Attach a suction cup along the right side of the front glass panel.
Pull up on the glass panel while you use the flat end of a spudger to separate it from the rest of the display assembly.
Continue working along the right edge of the front display glass until it is separated from the display.
It may be helpful to use a guitar pick or another thin plastic object to keep the upper right corner of the front glass panel from sticking back down to the display assembly.

Use a heat gun to soften the adhesive under the black strip along the right side of the front glass panel.

Attach a suction cup along the right side of the front glass panel.

Pull up on the glass panel while you use the flat end of a spudger to separate it from the rest of the display assembly.

Continue working along the right edge of the front display glass until it is separated from the display.

It may be helpful to use a guitar pick or another thin plastic object to keep the upper right corner of the front glass panel from sticking back down to the display assembly.

Step 20

Use your heat gun to soften the adhesive under the black strip along the top edge of the glass display panel.
Attach a suction cup near the top edge of the glass display panel and use it to pull the glass panel up off the display.
Work along the top edge of the glass panel, carefully using the flat end of a spudger to separate the adhesive if necessary.

Use your heat gun to soften the adhesive under the black strip along the top edge of the glass display panel.

Attach a suction cup near the top edge of the glass display panel and use it to pull the glass panel up off the display.

Work along the top edge of the glass panel, carefully using the flat end of a spudger to separate the adhesive if necessary.

Step 21

Use a heat gun to soften the adhesive under the black strip near the upper left corner of the glass display panel.
Attach a suction cup near the upper left corner of the glass display panel.
Pull up on the suction cup and use the flat end of a spudger to carefully pry the glass display panel out of the display assembly.
Once the upper left corner has been separated from the display, it may be helpful to use a guitar pick or another thin plastic object to keep the glass from sticking back down to the display assembly.

Use a heat gun to soften the adhesive under the black strip near the upper left corner of the glass display panel.

Attach a suction cup near the upper left corner of the glass display panel.

Pull up on the suction cup and use the flat end of a spudger to carefully pry the glass display panel out of the display assembly.

Once the upper left corner has been separated from the display, it may be helpful to use a guitar pick or another thin plastic object to keep the glass from sticking back down to the display assembly.

Step 22

Use a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the adhesive under the black strip along the left side of the front glass panel.
Attach a suction cup along the left side of the front glass panel.
Pull up on the glass panel while you use the flat end of a spudger to separate it from the rest of the display assembly.
Continue working along the left edge of the front display glass until it is separated from the display.

Use a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the adhesive under the black strip along the left side of the front glass panel.

Attach a suction cup along the left side of the front glass panel.

Continue working along the left edge of the front display glass until it is separated from the display.

Step 23

Now that the top, left, and right edges of the glass are free from the display, slowly lift the top edge of the glass panel and gently rotate it out of the display.
If necessary, use the flat end of a spudger to free the bottom edge of the glass display panel from the display assembly.
Before reassembling, be sure to clean both the inside of the glass display panel and the LCD as any dust or fingerprints trapped inside will be annoyingly visible when the machine is on.

Now that the top, left, and right edges of the glass are free from the display, slowly lift the top edge of the glass panel and gently rotate it out of the display.

If necessary, use the flat end of a spudger to free the bottom edge of the glass display panel from the display assembly.

Before reassembling, be sure to clean both the inside of the glass display panel and the LCD as any dust or fingerprints trapped inside will be annoyingly visible when the machine is on.

Step 24

Skip this step if you’re reusing the original glass.
Insert the edge of a plastic opening tool between the display glass and the camera bracket, and run it around the camera bracket to separate it from the display glass.
Do not forget to stick the camera bracket down to the new front display glass before reassembly.

Skip this step if you’re reusing the original glass.

Insert the edge of a plastic opening tool between the display glass and the camera bracket, and run it around the camera bracket to separate it from the display glass.

Do not forget to stick the camera bracket down to the new front display glass before reassembly.

Step 25

During the glass removal process, the camera cable may stick to the adhesive on the glass panel, disconnecting it from the camera board as the panel is lifted. If your camera cable is still connected to the camera board, skip this step.
To reconnect the cable, first use the tip of a spudger to remove the piece of foam tape over the camera cable ZIF socket.
Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the ZIF cable retainer on the camera cable socket.
Insert the camera cable into its socket on the camera board and use the tip of a spudger to snap down the ZIF cable retainer, locking the cable in place.
Reapply the piece of tape covering the camera cable socket.

During the glass removal process, the camera cable may stick to the adhesive on the glass panel, disconnecting it from the camera board as the panel is lifted. If your camera cable is still connected to the camera board, skip this step.

To reconnect the cable, first use the tip of a spudger to remove the piece of foam tape over the camera cable ZIF socket.

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the ZIF cable retainer on the camera cable socket.

Insert the camera cable into its socket on the camera board and use the tip of a spudger to snap down the ZIF cable retainer, locking the cable in place.

Reapply the piece of tape covering the camera cable socket.

Step 26

              Clutch Cover

Slide the clutch cover toward the right edge of the display.
The clutch cover will move approximately .25" and stop. Do not force it too far to the right.
When reinstalling the clutch cover, be sure to slip it over the components protruding from the lower edge of the display about .25" to the right of its final installed position on the display.

Slide the clutch cover toward the right edge of the display.

The clutch cover will move approximately .25" and stop. Do not force it too far to the right.

When reinstalling the clutch cover, be sure to slip it over the components protruding from the lower edge of the display about .25" to the right of its final installed position on the display.

Step 27

Starting at its far right end, rock the clutch cover along its long axis while pulling it away from the clutch hinge.
Working from right to left, carefully continue to release and lift the clutch along the lower edge of the display assembly.
Lift the clutch cover up off the front bezel and set it aside.
When reinstalling the clutch cover, be sure to widen the opening when slipping it over the small black plastic cosmetic cover that fills the open end of the clutch cover when it is in place. The cosmetic cover has very thin and delicate plastic arms that hold it to the right clutch hinge.

Starting at its far right end, rock the clutch cover along its long axis while pulling it away from the clutch hinge.

Working from right to left, carefully continue to release and lift the clutch along the lower edge of the display assembly.

Lift the clutch cover up off the front bezel and set it aside.

When reinstalling the clutch cover, be sure to widen the opening when slipping it over the small black plastic cosmetic cover that fills the open end of the clutch cover when it is in place. The cosmetic cover has very thin and delicate plastic arms that hold it to the right clutch hinge.

Step 28

LCD

De-route the display data cable from its retaining bracket near the lower left edge of the display.

De-route the display data cable from its retaining bracket near the lower left edge of the display.

Step 29

Remove the following six screws securing the LCD panel to the front bezel:
Four 3.25 mm Phillips with large heads.
Two 3.2 mm Phillips with small heads.

Remove the following six screws securing the LCD panel to the front bezel:

Four 3.25 mm Phillips with large heads.

Two 3.2 mm Phillips with small heads.

Step 30

Do not try to remove the LCD yet. The circuitry along its lower edge is wedged in a gap along the lower edge of the display recess in the aluminum display assembly.
Hold the display vertically and tip it enough to grab the top edge of the LCD and rotate it slightly out of the display assembly, being careful not to break the circuitry off its lower edge.

Do not try to remove the LCD yet. The circuitry along its lower edge is wedged in a gap along the lower edge of the display recess in the aluminum display assembly.

Hold the display vertically and tip it enough to grab the top edge of the LCD and rotate it slightly out of the display assembly, being careful not to break the circuitry off its lower edge.

Step 31

Pull the LCD toward the top edge of the display to slide the circuitry along its lower edge out of the recess in the aluminum display assembly.
It may be helpful to use one hand to feed the display data cable through its channel in the aluminum display assembly as you pull the LCD toward the top edge of the display with the other hand.

Pull the LCD toward the top edge of the display to slide the circuitry along its lower edge out of the recess in the aluminum display assembly.

It may be helpful to use one hand to feed the display data cable through its channel in the aluminum display assembly as you pull the LCD toward the top edge of the display with the other hand.

Step 32

Peel the piece of tape covering the display data cable connector away from the edge closest to the LCD.

Peel the piece of tape covering the display data cable connector away from the edge closest to the LCD.

Step 33

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the thin steel retaining clip securing the display data cable to its socket on the LCD.
Pull the display data cable straight away from its socket on the LCD.
Lift the LCD out of the display assembly and set it aside.

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the thin steel retaining clip securing the display data cable to its socket on the LCD.

Pull the display data cable straight away from its socket on the LCD.

Lift the LCD out of the display assembly and set it aside.

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

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                    Walter Galan

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mastover - Jan 16, 2014

All I can say is THANKS! I was able to replace my daughters display, the bottom aluminum panel and to remove the dents from the top aluminum panel. Without your guide, I doubt I ever could have done this. You saved me hundreds! Your spudger tool was worth its weight in gold….till I used it to break the glass front panel…sigh. Still, I’ll use that hundreds of times from now on.

jnserr - Jan 26, 2014

==Step 17==

It is extremely critical that when attaching the suction cup to FIRST LIFT THE LEVER ABOUT HALF WAY before attaching to the glass in order to only apply about half the suction the tool is capable of applying!! Lift the lever half way. Set into position on glass. Lift the rest of the way to apply about half of the suction cup’s potential suction. Failure to do this WILL result in circular break around the suction cup!

Alexander - Feb 19, 2016

This was extremely helpful. I am a junior in high school who was issued a Mac for class. I am one of those anti-Apple people, so I get easily frustrated with them and tend to beat them up a bit. Consequently, I broke it. Being low on funds, I couldn’t afford the repair costs, let alone had the nerve to own up to my actions and tell the teacher about it. SO….after staying up an extra couple hours researching the problem, I discovered this and decided to give it a try. Despite already being somewhat tech savvy, I found this resource very helpful, even more so after re-reading it and watching a couple how-to videos. The problem was fixed in no time.

Lets just say, thanks to this site, the school never found out that I broke the laptop. :)

Stan Wingate - Apr 7, 2018

GREAT GUIDE! Thanks!

I had a laser targeted infrared thermometer for another project ($25 at local hardware store) and found the screen cover adhesive softened nicely at top and sides at 140-145F. I used a hairdryer on high setting.

I found with the top edge and both side edges lifted free of the adhesive in earlier stages, the bottom edge lifted easily at 100-105F. (I had package taped the screen as it had cracks, being sure the tape laid flat so sunction would form in the early steps.

NOTE THE MAXIMUM SPECiIFIED NONOPERATING TEMPERATURE IS LISTED BY APPLE AT 113F for the 2010 MBP 13”. Separating the bottom and top cases allows the keyboard and all the other goodies in the lower case to rest comfortably away from the heat.

One or two very thin flexible pry tools like iSesame (inexpensive online) worked well once the upper corner was lifted with a suction cup

Ruben Costa - Mar 7, 2022

This guide is the same of MacBook Pro 13 unibody 2012?

Introduction#

What you need#

Introduction

What you need