Macbook Pro 16 2019 Screen Replacement Repair Guide

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

                          1 - 2 hours

Sections

Disable Auto Boot
1 step
Lower Case
7 steps
Battery Connector
8 steps
Screen
23 steps

Flags

BackMacBook Pro 16" 2019
Full Screen
Options
History
Save to Favorites
Download PDF
Edit
Translate
Get Shareable Link
Embed This Guide
Notify Me of Changes
Stop Notifications

Introduction

Although we’ve successfully tested this procedure using original Apple replacement displays, Apple’s T2 chip may prevent aftermarket displays from working correctly, and your MacBook Pro may not boot as a result.

For your safety, discharge your MacBook Pro’s battery below 25% before you begin. A charged lithium-ion battery can create a dangerous and uncontrollable fire if accidentally punctured.

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 lower case screws

Completely power off and unplug your MacBook Pro before you start. Close the display and flip the entire laptop upside-down.
Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove six screws securing the lower case, of the following lengths:
Four 3.7 mm screws
Two 7.3 mm screws
Note how the screws come out at a slight angle—you must reinstall them the same way.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your device.

Completely power off and unplug your MacBook Pro before you start. Close the display and flip the entire laptop upside-down.

Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove six screws securing the lower case, of the following lengths:

Four 3.7 mm screws

Two 7.3 mm screws

Note how the screws come out at a slight angle—you must reinstall them the same way.

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

              Unclip lower case

Press a suction handle into place near the front edge of the lower case, between the screw holes.
Pull up on the suction handle just enough to open a small gap under the lower case.

Press a suction handle into place near the front edge of the lower case, between the screw holes.

Pull up on the suction handle just enough to open a small gap under the lower case.

Step 4

Slide the corner of an opening pick into the gap you just created underneath the lower case.
Slide the opening pick around the nearest corner and then halfway up the side of the MacBook Pro.
This releases the first of the hidden clips securing the lower case. You should feel and hear the clip pop free.

Slide the corner of an opening pick into the gap you just created underneath the lower case.

Slide the opening pick around the nearest corner and then halfway up the side of the MacBook Pro.

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

Step 5

Repeat the previous step on the other side, using an opening pick to to release the second clip.

Repeat the previous step on the other side, using an opening pick to to release the second clip.

Step 6

Lift the front edge of the lower case (the side opposite the display hinge) enough to slide your fingertips underneath and get a good grip on it.
Two additional hidden clips near the middle of the cover should pop free at this point, if they haven’t already.
Don’t lift more than an inch or so, and don’t try to remove the lower case yet.

Lift the front edge of the lower case (the side opposite the display hinge) enough to slide your fingertips underneath and get a good grip on it.

Two additional hidden clips near the middle of the cover should pop free at this point, if they haven’t already.

Don’t lift more than an inch or so, and don’t try to remove the lower case yet.

Step 7

Pull firmly to slide the lower case towards the front edge 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 may require a lot of force.

Pull firmly to slide the lower case towards the front edge 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 may require a lot of force.

Step 8

              Remove 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

              Remove battery board sticker

Peel up and remove the insulating sticker covering the battery board, on the edge of the logic board nearest the battery.
If the cover doesn’t peel up easily, apply mild heat with an iOpener, hair dryer, or heat gun to soften the adhesive underneath, and try again.

Peel up and remove the insulating sticker covering the battery board, on the edge of the logic board nearest the battery.

If the cover doesn’t peel up easily, apply mild heat with an iOpener, hair dryer, or heat gun to soften the adhesive underneath, and try again.

Step 10

Peel back any tape covering the battery board data cable connector.

Peel back any tape covering the battery board data cable connector.

Step 11

              Disconnect battery board data cable

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the battery board data cable.

Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the battery board data cable.

Step 12

Disconnect the battery board data cable by sliding it out from its socket on the logic board.
Slide parallel to the logic board. Don’t pull up.

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

Slide parallel to the logic board. Don’t pull up.

Step 13

Peel back any tape covering the battery board data cable connector.
Pry up and disconnect the locking flap on the connector at the opposite end of the battery board data cable.

Pry up and disconnect the locking flap on the connector at the opposite end of the battery board data cable.

Step 14

              Remove battery board data cable

Slide the battery board data cable out of its socket on the battery board, and remove it completely.
Take care not to reinstall this cable backwards or upside-down.

Slide the battery board data cable out of its socket on the battery board, and remove it completely.

Take care not to reinstall this cable backwards or upside-down.

Step 15

              Disconnect the battery

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 6.7 mm pancake screw securing the battery power connector.

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 6.7 mm pancake screw securing the battery power connector.

Step 16

Use a spudger to lift the battery power connector, disconnecting the battery.
Lift the connector high enough to keep it separated from its socket while you work. If it accidentally makes contact, it could damage your MacBook Pro.

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

Lift the connector high enough to keep it separated from its socket while you work. If it accidentally makes contact, it could damage your MacBook Pro.

Step 17

              Disconnect the display board cable

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 3.5 mm screws securing the cover on the display board flex cable.
Remove the display board flex cover.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 3.5 mm screws securing the cover on the display board flex cable.

Remove the display board flex cover.

Step 18

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.7 mm screws securing the bracket for the display board cable connector.
Remove the display board cable connector bracket.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.7 mm screws securing the bracket for the display board cable connector.

Remove the display board cable connector bracket.

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 hinge covers

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four 2.0 mm screws from the hinge covers (two screws on each side).

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four 2.0 mm screws from the hinge covers (two screws on each side).

Step 21

Remove both hinge covers.

Remove both hinge covers.

Step 22

              Disconnect the antenna bundle

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the single 2.9 mm screw securing the antenna cable bundle.

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the single 2.9 mm screw securing the antenna cable bundle.

Step 23

Disconnect all three antenna cables by prying each one straight up from its socket.
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.

Disconnect all three antenna cables by prying each one straight up from its socket.

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 24

              Disconnect the display board

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the four 3.3 mm screws securing the display board.
Before reinstalling these screws:
Make sure the display board flex cable lies on top of the board, not trapped underneath.

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the four 3.3 mm screws securing the display board.

Before reinstalling these screws:

Make sure the display board flex cable lies on top of the board, not trapped underneath.

Step 25

              Remove the antenna assembly

Use a P2 Pentalobe driver to remove the sixteen 1.5 mm screws securing the antenna assembly (eight on each side).
These small screws can strip easily, so apply firm, consistent pressure when removing.

Use a P2 Pentalobe driver to remove the sixteen 1.5 mm screws securing the antenna assembly (eight on each side).

These small screws can strip easily, so apply firm, consistent pressure when removing.

Step 26

Use an opening pick to pry up the antenna assembly and separate it from the MacBook Pro.
Watch out for the delicate ribbon cables in the middle section. Avoid sliding the pick from side to side so as not to damage the cables.

Use an opening pick to pry up the antenna assembly and separate it from the MacBook Pro.

Watch out for the delicate ribbon cables in the middle section. Avoid sliding the pick from side to side so as not to damage the cables.

Step 27

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

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

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 28

              Disconnect the display cable cover springs

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four 3.9 mm screws securing the display cable cover springs.

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four 3.9 mm screws securing the display cable cover springs.

Step 29

              Remove some of the hinge screws

Use a T8 Torx driver to remove two 5.0 mm screws from each hinge (four screws total).
Each hinge has a third screw, which you should leave in place for now.

Use a T8 Torx driver to remove two 5.0 mm screws from each hinge (four screws total).

Each hinge has a third screw, which you should leave in place for now.

Step 30

              Disconnect the lid angle sensor

Using a T3 Torx driver, remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the cover bracket for the Touch Bar digitizer and lid angle sensor connectors.

Using a T3 Torx driver, remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the cover bracket for the Touch Bar digitizer and lid angle sensor connectors.

Step 31

Using your tweezers, slide the bracket toward the side edge of the MacBook Pro until it clears the slotted retaining tab on the logic board.
Remove the bracket.

Using your tweezers, slide the bracket toward the side edge of the MacBook Pro until it clears the slotted retaining tab on the logic board.

Remove the bracket.

Step 32

Disconnect the lid angle sensor cable by prying it straight up from the logic board.

Disconnect the lid angle sensor cable by prying it straight up from the logic board.

Step 33

              Unfasten the lid angle sensor

Use a P2 Pentalobe driver to remove the 1.9 mm-long screw securing the lid angle sensor.

Use a P2 Pentalobe driver to remove the 1.9 mm-long screw securing the lid angle sensor.

Step 34

              Remove the lid angle sensor

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to pull the lid angle sensor up from the frame and release it from its metal peg.
Remove the lid angle sensor.

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to pull the lid angle sensor up from the frame and release it from its metal peg.

Remove the lid angle sensor.

Step 35

During reassembly, first install the hinge screws without tightening them. Then adjust the screen until it is correctly centered and aligned on each side. Finally, tighten the screws.
If your screen clicks or snaps upon opening, loosen the hinge screws and adjust the alignment. Make sure the screen doesn’t sit too far forward, or it can catch on the body when opening and closing.
If desired, add a little blue threadlocker to the screw threads to prevent them from loosening over time.

During reassembly, first install the hinge screws without tightening them. Then adjust the screen until it is correctly centered and aligned on each side. Finally, tighten the screws.

If your screen clicks or snaps upon opening, loosen the hinge screws and adjust the alignment. Make sure the screen doesn’t sit too far forward, or it can catch on the body when opening and closing.

If desired, add a little blue threadlocker to the screw threads to prevent them from loosening over time.

Step 36

              Protect the MacBook

If you plan to re-use your screen, open it and apply a piece of tape to the glass directly above each hinge. This helps protect the glass from getting scratched in the following step.
Fully open the screen and stand your MacBook Pro up on one side.

If you plan to re-use your screen, open it and apply a piece of tape to the glass directly above each hinge. This helps protect the glass from getting scratched in the following step.

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

Step 37

              Remove the remaining hinge screws

Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the two remaining 5.0 mm hinge screws (one from each hinge).
Remove the topmost screw last, using one hand to steady both halves of the MacBook Pro to make sure they don’t separate and fall over unexpectedly.

Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the two remaining 5.0 mm hinge screws (one from each hinge).

Remove the topmost screw last, using one hand to steady both halves of the MacBook Pro to make sure they don’t separate and fall over unexpectedly.

Step 38

              Remove the screen

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 hinges 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.

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 hinges 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.

Step 39

Remove the screen.

Remove the screen.

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? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

Cancel: I did not complete this guide.

                                                                                      18 other people completed this guide.

Author

                                      with 3 other contributors

                    Carsten Frauenheim

Member since: 03/10/2020

81,713 Reputation

                                      330 Guides authored                  



                       Badges:
                       38







                                                        +35 more badges

Team

                       iFixit                        

                                                  Member of iFixit 



                    Community                     


                                            141 Members                     


                                            15,772 Guides authored

Macrepair SF - Sep 23, 2020

Anybody know the screen part# or where to find it?

haddad biadja - Nov 10, 2020

Ou est ce qu’on trouve l’écran ?

Jean Christophe BOURBON - Nov 16, 2020

Pravin Jayasinghe - Dec 14, 2020

Is it possible to boot up the machine without the screen attached (and use external displays only)?

help - Feb 24, 2021

Great guide, covers the details nicely. I would add that the nvram command no longer works as of firmware in Big Sur. We don’t have too much trouble with that, however. Shut down the machine, and make sure to not open the lid or do anything else until the battery is disconnected.

I will also note that we’ve never had a T3 screwdriver not strip unless we cut the tip off the torx; the screws Apple uses never seem to be happy until that is done. Haven’t see anyone else complain about that, though, so maybe it’s just us!

In case anyone is wondering: as long as your part is OEM, it shouldn’t give any issues with the T2 chip. Most assemblies are not sold with the screen angle sensor, however, so that needs to be transferred to the new assembly. That’s just a matter of unscrewing the one screw that holds it to the clutch and then attaching it to the new one in the same way.

Introduction#

What you need#

Team#

Introduction

What you need

Team