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Repair information and guides for the 2015 Retina MacBook Air. Model A1534

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Keyboard Replacement vs Uppercase Replacement

I have not worked on one of these 2015 12" models yet.

I got one in with a missing key and a spacebar that works but is depressed on the right hand side. What I believe has happened is that the plate that holds the keys so thin that pressing hard on the keys bends in down preventing replacing the keys correctly and if they are replaced they are down and depressed (just like me looking at having to replace this keyboard ;-( .

What Would like to know is if anyone has actually done this repair. Does it has screws or pegs. I did find the part at AliExpress

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/100-NEW-...

If it is possible to do, I will try to make a guide but wanted to ask first.

I also could not find a replacement screw set.

@danj

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I did replace the keyboard (bought off ebay WITH new screws)and it is doable. Look for louis rossmann videos in youtube - it takes about 45 minutes as a non professional for me.

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Yes, it's possible to replace just the keyboard. This uses pentalobe screws to hold the keyboard in, no rivets. You won't need to order any screws. Don't screw the new screws in too tightly, otherwise it can cause other keys to be activated when pressing one key.

Make sure you have a T4, and be careful when opening it. It will take about 1-2hrs. The MacBook will not boot after being disassembled unless the USB C charger is plugged in first, just so you know (gave me a heart attack before I realised this).

You will also need to awkwardly test the keyboard before screwing it in by plugging it together and holding both halves of the MacBook, whilst plugging in the charger, so have fun :)

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Thanks @reecee for the advice. This thing is so small I'm surprised the key wasn't just glued in. It does make it somewhat more repairable. May I ask why you replaced the one you did?

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@mayer yeah, I was surprised they used screws too, just make sure you use a decent screwdriver, since they are very easy to strip.

I have only replaced about 4-6 of these, all because of liquid damage (keys not working or sticky). The mechanism for this model is very fiddly and easy to damage the plate underneath, so I prefer to replace the keyboard rather than clean

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Do not replace the keyboard, it basically wrecks the quality of the machine.

You can replace just the faulty keys.

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@tomchai just wondering why you think this wrecks the quality? Unfortunately you cannot replace the individual keys usually (definitely not if they are not working), they have these metal cross plates on the keyboard membrane which fall off or break, which I imagine are very difficult to glue back in, since they are very thin and need to move.

I find the best thing to do is replace it, hate the mechanisms on these. The keyboard is screwed in on this model, so there is no risk of messing up any rivets when removing the old keyboard, like in the Air's or Retina's.

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The keycap and butterfly hinges are replaceable, however if the dome buttons are damaged, this keyboard is beyond repair, so top case replacement is necessary.

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Tom, I have replaced many keyboard on many different machines with no issues. Why are you saying it wrecks the quality? Have YOU worked on this 12" machine?

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You have to peel through layers of sheets, if you are willing to get new sheets and put everything back together then I guess it's OK. However many repair technicians choose not to and causes some issues and evidence of tampering.

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@tomchai you are right, you do have to remove the keyboard backing, which has a tendency to leave a few bits on the back of the old keyboard. This does not have any functionality or cause issues though, and it can be replaced if need be.

If you are careful, someone will only be able to tell it's been opened if they remove this backing. It is not a huge deal in the repair industry though, and doesn't wreck the device. If someone is really trying, they can tell if something has been repaired before, no matter how careful you are by looking at residue on screws, supplier stamps, etc. This is why Apple uses black screws inside MacBooks, easier to tell if it has been unscrewed before :)

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