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{A1989 / EMC3214}—Released in July 2018, the 13" MacBook Pro features quad-core i5 and i7 processors and Intel Iris Plus integrated graphics.

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Why has True Tone disappeared after screen replacement?

Replaced LCD assembly (with correct 2018 screen) on MacBook Pro Touch Bar 2018. I noticed after reassembly that the Touch Bar is constantly on full brightness, and the keyboard backlight is always off.

While trying to troubleshoot the ambient light sensor, I went to check if True Tone was enabled or disabled, and noticed the “Automatically Adjust Brightness” and “True Tone” options have vanished entirely from Display Preferences.

What’s happened?

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What was the P/N of the display you put in and where did you get it? It sounds like you got the wrong display assembly.

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Thanks Dan. I believe it's 661-10037 but is there a way I can independently verify that on the actual hardware?

I've noticed the keyboard backlight settings have also disappeared from the Keyboard System Preferences window - even those that don't seem to rely on the ambient light sensor. The keyboard brightness buttons are still on the Touch Bar but don't do anything.

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I have just completed the same repair and have the exact same symptoms on my 2018 TouchBar. Everything else is working exactly as it should be. Did you ever find a solution to this?

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Hi Maxwell, unfortunately I couldn't solve myself. Had it fixed by Apple.

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Were they willing/able to fix it knowing that you repaired it yourself? Im in the same boat here i guess.

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I just did the replacement screen (LCD only) on a 2018 model a1989. Everything works perfectly and the reason for that is probably because I kept everything original and replaced just the LCD. I’ve heard rumors about the T2 chip causing issues for repair and most likely that is your problem. The only way to keep True Tone would be to keep the front camera flex (most likely this is where it’s paired). One way to test this and confirm would be if you still had your original LCD assembly and you can just plug in the front camera flex which is the connector closest to the LCD connector on the LCD board. There should be a somewhere that says SV_CAM (on mine it also says J0802) Plug it in, boot up and see if everything is working perfectly afterwards. Good luck

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Thanks - I will try this. I assume if the problem is with the T2 chip 'rejecting' the new hardware, that Apple themselves can override this.

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Confirmed that with the original LCD assembly everything comes back (True Tone, auto brightness). If the Apple ASP could pair the new screen they weren't offering to. They offered a replacement logic board and screen for the price of an entry-level MBP 13".

That ends this adventure for me - the old screen (with cosmetic damage) is staying in place.

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Follow up: the 'fix' only lasted through one boot. Message appeared on opening saying machine had restarted due to a problem. The camera, true tone, auto brightness and keyboard backlight had all disappeared again.

All I can think of now is a problem with the connection.

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@stuartmc Hello, have you resolved this issue? I have met the same issue, No Camera/No Auto brightness/No True Tone. But I didn't change any part of my Macbook Pro 2018. It's wired.

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What I can tell you is the 18/19 use a very different display than the older models. What happens is people use the older one 16/17 which is cheaper and if it came from a parts system will have the shorter backlight cable.

Here’s the correct display assembly:

This is what you likely got even though the P/N you gave me is the 18/19 Space Grey display assembly. The only other possibility the part was either mis-binned or the part was mis-marked.

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It's possible. The part was comprehensively labelled as an A1989 (rather than A1706) replacement, and looked in every way similar to the one I removed.

Is there any way visually or through the OS to identify which of these two the screen actually is?

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Sorry I don't of any way physically as the display assembly looks the same.

I don't have a system presently so I can't tell you if this works but you could look at the displays config info in System Report under About This Mac and then going to Graphics/Displays see what it tells you.

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No. The A1706/A1708 and A1989 original LCD Assemblies are not identical. It is super easy to tell them apart.

Just look at the hinge. The A1706/A1708 hinges do not have rings, while the A1989 and above have sort of lines and rings on them. True Tone, Ambient light sensors will all work if you use the original LCDs. They don’t need to be paired or calibrated by an AASP. Not sure about the M1 models yet. Even the ifixit publishers sometimes get their info wrongly.

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@just1ed - Thats why I've not had an issue as I only use used Apple displays.

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Well you've mentioned there isn't any way to tell them apart as they look physically the same. They aren't.

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Intel MacBook Air and MacBook Pro LCDs do not have security features and are NOT paired to the Logicboard. True Tone will work (both third-party and original.


Only M1 and above models are paired. True Tone will be disabled but auto brightness and FaceTime Camera works.

They are serialised, but only for the purpose of verifying your warranty to ensure your Mac comes with the same LCD it is sold with, and even then not all Apple stores check them.

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The hinges for the Macbook Pro 13” 2016-2017 (A1708/A1706) are physically different from 2018-2019 (A1989/A2159). This only applies to original Apple parts though.

Aftermarket third party OEM LCD assemblies may reuse the same shell but put in a different LCD inside.

In any case, if you use a 2016-2017 on a 2018-2019 Macbook Pro, not only will True Tone not work, the entire LCD will be extremely dim after it logins to the desktop to the point it is nearly not visible.

So if the display works, but there’s no True Tone, it means your OEM or Third Party part or the original part has a failed True Tone camera. It is rare, but possible for original parts not to have Facetime camera or the True Tone sensor working.

T2 does not affect anything. True Tone will be disabled only on M1 and above Macbook Pro and Macbook Air. The LCD has to be paired, which currently only Apple and AASPs can do. Facetime camera will work.

If True Tone or the FaceTime camera does not work, it is either the LCD itself, or that you have shorted out a component on the Logicboard.

Very slight misalignment when fixing back the LCD connector, or that your battery screw was not removed well before the lcd is replaced can short out the camera or True Tone component circuit on the Logicboard.

You have to tell the Chinese sellers you want True Tone, camera and auto brightness to work, and get them to show you the testing videos.

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Hi, mind telling us where the above info can be verified? Until now we stuck to the 'serialized' theory, but no way to verify.

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the above information is correct. I too have a similar issue with a OEM display replacement (Plastic shell and name plate) for a 13" MBP (a1706), From Big Sur v11.4 to current Monterey 12.4, MacOS checks the LCD serial number/Part Number against those contained in the AppleBacklight.kext kernel extension. If the parts do not match, TrueTone and Brightness controls will be disabled.

However, In Catalina and Mojave everything works fine. Just Apple removing a users right to repair the units themselves (if they have the skills to do it, like I do) I dare say Apple Authorised Repair Centres would have to use the Genuine Parts from Apple to avoid the disabled features.

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Only M1 models pair the LCD to the Logicboard. All Intel models are not affected. If you lose that function, it’s because you have bought a Low quality part. Even good third party OEM LCDs have True Tone. From what I know, there’s only 1-2 large Chinese firm that distributes original LCD assemblies to the smaller Chinese firms.

Please do not spread disinformation. Only iPhones are paired. For Macs, only M1 models and above are paired.

2016-2020 Intel models do not have such issues.

That said, Apple may have slowly removed that restriction. I’ve just replaced a MacBook Air 2020 M1 original LCD, and to my surprise, True Tone worked.

I cannot confirm what are models have that restriction removed, and whether it’s done at the MacOS firmware level, or at the LCD I/C board level.

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Hey, can you confirm that after upgrading to newest Ventura OS True tone and brightness still works on your macbook air m1 ?

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That sounds super weird. I have just replaced my display on my space gray A1989 and everything is still working. I never transfer front cam flex or anything. I just bought a used full diplay(with metal cover). But i also SMC and PRAM/NVRAM Reset. Just in case i did it in very first start of the mac after replacement.

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Can you tell where did you buy the screen? Thanks.

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It differs model by model. Whichever Apple decides to serialise, serialisation is beginning to be a huge issue in third party repair meaning even when you change original parts for original parts, some or all of the functions will stop working for that part.

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I have the same issue with my A1989. No backlight on the keyboard and no True Tone. Also no camera detected either. My screen isn’t genuine Apple and it was replaced with a Chinese one. did anyone solve this>?

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Never got it to work with the 'new' screen. Only got it to work by bringing to an ASP :(. Don't have a definitive root cause, but the evidence points to the new screen not only not working itself, but causing something else to break.

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Same here. The camera is detected on System Report, but not functioning on other apps, like FaceTime, Skype, etc. The FaceTime shows "No Video, FaceTime has not received any video from the connected camera. Restarting your computer may fix this issue."

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@sandyardianto Hello, have you resolved this issue? I have met the same issue, No Camera/No Auto brightness/No True Tone. But I didn't change any part of my Macbook Pro 2018. It's weired. Thanks.

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It was resolved after an Apple repair shop changed top case, mainboard and display cable (!). And now the same problem has occurred again.

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hello, same issue here. change screen and true tone, camera, and keyboard backlight not working, replaced for the old screen and the problem persists. Any solution?

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Several answers here, just to clear it up:

This is to do with apple’s serialisation as Alfy suggested.

There are some models where screen replacements work fine (if a good quality screen is bought) but in my experience the ambient light sensor is almost always serialised so keyboard backlight is either disabled entirely because of the sensor not registering as the original or you turn off auto brightness and manually control screen and KBD backlight. Same for True Tone.

as Alfy also said it is paired through the camera so you would have to transfer the camera flex from old to new screen but bear in mind replacing LCD only is not an easy repair by any means

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Thanks @jamiehorn. Do you have any idea why the backlight/True Tone problem persisted even when the original screen was reinstalled? I (unfortunately) reproduced this twice.

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The only reason I can think of is either the system unpaired the original ALS or it was potentially damaged. When I first stumbled across this issue it was on an A1707 and I reinstalled the old display and functions came back so this is definitely odd. If you still have it I’d put the original on and then perform a T2 restore to see if it works

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This is also what we've been going by for several years. Refurbished displays are not 'new' hence already paired. A new display (service pack) is what we use normally with the 2018 and above models. However, it could also be that the non true tone refurbs just use the cheaper 16/17 lcd's, I have no way of telling tbh.

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Hi

Iv heard from many reputable People that apple pairs the displays to the T2 chip witch removes True Tone (it happens when newer iPhone get their screens replaced)

As for the keyboard I would try putting your entire hand over the camera and try and adjust the brightness ,I have this issue on my 2014 15inch (I say it’s a issue but it’s just the MacBook being clever and telling me it’s bright enough already and I don’t need the backlight!)

I’m not sure about the touch at though!iv never seen that

Hopefully the information I have provided helps in some way shape or form

Thanks:-)

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@hellomacos - The issue in this series is how Apple deals with the camera logic within the display. When Apple replaces the display assembly they use a virgin display so it needs to have the TrueTone detection logic calibrated to the camera unit within the display. Apple uses a software tool and a white card to do this task.

So when you get a virgin display you can't gain access to the needed tool to set it as such the camera won't work.

Now if you get a used display you don't need to worry about the calibration as its held within the displays logic.

The other option is to have the needed skills to disassemble the display assembly and just replace the LCD screen, leaving the camera circuit alone.

There is no T2 involvement here in this series and the newer M SoC's are now serializing the display to the SoC logic so you can't swap out displays any more with used ones and virgin ones won't wok either! Thanks! Apple!!

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@danj

I see

I wish apple would stop making their SoC such a 2 way deal!

Great performance at the expense of repairability

Please Apple we wouldn’t even say anything about it just please give us the tools to fix this!!!!

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hi, i have your same problem after replacing the display. You solved?

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Not yet. Are you having the same problem with the keyboard backlight too, or just the screen?

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the keyboard backlight and the truetone do not work. i also have some noise to the bluetooth antenna but i don't know if the problems are connected.

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Sounds similar. A local repair shop has swapped the topcase/keyboard, screen and ribbon cables, and it's still not working. I can't help but wonder is the OS or some component simply not cooperating with a new screen.

I'm going to have the board checked next.

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See chosen solution above.

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is there a solution for this problem yet? I purchased a used macbook pro 15" A1990 screen for my 2019 MB and after the replacement, my camera, truetone and backlight are dead. I will not accept that all of use replaced our screens and that we all either shorted the one connector out for the screen or the battery connector arced... So its it software or what?

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Apple introduced a feature in MacOS Big Sur v11.4 and has carried it through to the current version 12.4 of Monterey. The OS checks the LCD part/serial number(not sure what Kernel extension does this) against those hashed in the AppleBacklight.kext and AppleBacklightExpert.kext if they do not match then certain features of the display will be disabled (and no these kernel extensions can NOT be modified as Apple locked down the System/Library/Extensions folder. you can read them but can not change/delete them).

I have replaced the Screen on a 13" 2017 MBP with Touchbar, with an OEM (plastic aftermarket shell and nameplate) and the Brightness controls do not work at all and are missing from the Display Prefs Pane under Big Sur (v11.4+) and Monterey. However they are present and everything works fine in Mojave and Catalina.

So if you have swapped over your display and find some features like Brightness controls are missing Try loading MacOS Catalina or Mojave, that may solve the issue.

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This is incorrect. I’ve replaced hundreds of original MacBook Pro and MacBook Air 13” / 15” 2016-2020 and the brightness, auto brightness, and True Tone settings do come up in Big Sur and Monterey. Granted they are originals, the LCD serial will still not match the original, but they work fine.

I’ve also replaced OEM screens before, and the settings do work as well.

You are right that a fraction of them will cause the brightness settings not to show up, on Big Sur and Monterey. BUT the reason however is due to a poor quality OEM (hardware issue). I have encountered that only twice. I requested my supplier to check that the OEM parts he is supplying has all settings that work in Big Sur and above MacOS, and they do.

M1 MacBooks is a different story. Apple has embedded firmware checks to make sure the LCD serial matches the hardware, in order for True Tone to work. Each Mac has a uniquely paired LCD with the Logicboard. There’s no workaround yet. Only Apple technicians can do the pairing.

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@just1ed - I hope Apple offers parts soon for these systems directly. There is no real reason for Apple to have locked things down still more. Its not like the camera is doing FaceID as it doesn't have an IR projector like the iPhone!

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@just1ed No it is not incorrect. Original screens Serial/part numbers are hashed inside the kernel extensions I mentioned. Check for your self. If the screen is not an genuine Apple Screen, i.e one that came from a Macbook Pro, or one that was purchased through their Spare parts channels, but is instead a 3rd party manufactured screen, then the part number is not escrowed in the Chip of the screen, therefor when the OS goes to check the hash in the kernel extension it will not match and features will be disabled. I am not saying that screens have to be paired with a logic board or anything. But the screen needs to report the correct part number/serial numbers that are listed within the kernel extensions.

If the screen is replaced with an original Apple screen( New from their spare parts channels, or 2nd hand from another macbook, Then the part number/Serial number will match what is hashed in the kernel extensions and things will work fine.

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I’m not sure why you all want to stick to a theory rather just because you’ve changed a single screen. I have hundreds on screens in my store. This is why many independent repair owners don’t come in here to offer advice. Even with pictures and facts you guys remain unconvinced. I rest my case.

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I have a 2019 15" macbook - pro screen cracked while wiping it with a tshirt of all things - I replaced the screen with a salvaged one but lost keyboard backlight function, touchpad stays lit at maximum brightness and screen brightness control isn't correct but I can make do with a third party app -

Are there any work arounds? Is there a way to source the correct screen? I still have the old one and could replace the lcd panel and bezel if only I could get the correct panel - Thanks

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I have a 2019 15" macbook - pro screen cracked while wiping it with a tshirt of all things - I replaced the screen with a salvaged one but lost keyboard backlight function, touchpad stays lit at maximum brightness and screen brightness control isn't correct but I can make do with a third party app -

Are there any work arounds? Is there a way to source the correct screen? I still have the old one and could replace the lcd panel and bezel if only I could get the correct panel - Thanks

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hi :) has anything changed about TrueTone function in Macbook above M1? Recently I replaced the full lcd set from aliexpress and everything worked except truetone. It was written in the auction that when replacing a full LCD set, then true tone does not work, but if we replace only the LCD panel, then truetone function will be working. Is it true? something has changed ?

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Not exactly. True Tone function in M1 and above models is dependent on whether the LCD’s serial hash matches the hash of the Logicboard. This serial is stored on a chip that is soldered on the T-con board that comes with the inner LCD.

The reason why people say True Tone works with inner LCD replacement is only true for M1 14inch and 16inch models because Apple went a step further to disable the entire screen function if the serial does not match the xx after an LCD replacement, unless it is calibrated (paired) by their GSX technician.

To resolve this issue, the third-party industry now de-solders the chipset containing the serial from the old LCD’s T-con board to solder it on the new inner LCD. It can be done with a full LCD assembly AS WELL, but it’s seldom done as it is riskier to damage an expensive full LCD assembly.

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