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A1418 / EMC 3069 / 2017 / 3.0 GHz quad-core i5, 3.4 GHz quad-core i5 or 3.6 GHz quad-core i7 Processor. Released June 8, 2017.

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Switching my 2017 Retina display with a 2015 Retina screen?

I’ve seen mixed responses on here already about this question so wanted to see if there was any further confirmation. As you’ll see In the screenshot I attached someone mentioned it’s possible if you make sure to switch the cables from each display to the new screen. Does anyone else have experience of this?

Main reason for not buying the 2017 replacement screen is that it cost £300+ whereas the 2015 Retina one I’m looking at is £135. I see no reason to spend more if it’s gonna work. Thanks!

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thats a great idea

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The question is more of which way things might work!

If you read the rest of the dialog Fitting 2015 4K screen into a 2017 4K system? You’ll see there is a difference in the ribbon cable connections!

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iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display 2015 Logic board

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iMac Intel 21.5" Retina 4K Display 2017 Logic board

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iMac Intel 21.5" Standard Retina Display 2015 & 2017 Logic board

Note the size differences in the top right metal connector that’s the displays data connector. There is a big difference between the interfaces! eDP on the 2015 model and iDP on the 2017 4K displays.

Kaellis who jumped into the dialog I think was confused! What I’m suspecting happened is he got confused between the Retina Vs 4K displays as both the ‘15 & ‘17 series offered a Retina model which as it turns out use the same display (older eDP)!

So if you have a 4K display you need to replace it with the correct one!

Reference, Retina 4K iMac 21.5" LCD Display Panels:

  • 2015 - Apple P/N 661-02990, Display ID - LM215UH1 (SD)(A1)
  • 2017 - Apple P/N 661-07322, Display ID - LM215UH1 (SD)(B1)

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Thanks Dan!

Ok so if I’m reading into your answer correctly as you say the 2015 iMac and 2017 Retina models both use the same display. My 2015 iMac retina screen should work with my 2017 Retina iMac?

Assuming I switch the cables? So was Kaellis right on that they just worded it in a wrong way or something? Thanks

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@olszha - NO! Thats not what I'm saying! To put it bluntly the two systems 4K displays are VERY different!

Think of it like vehicle fuel You wouldn't put gasoline into a truck which needs diesel would you or the other way around. This is true here!

Kaellis confused the issue! As he had a standard Retina model which uses the older display so that's why his worked! eDP - eDP Vs you are trying to do here which is iDP - eDP

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@danj Thanks for the response buddy

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Actually, I have used the 4k 2017 Display (LM215UH1 (SD)(B1)) on the 2015 4k, and have done it several times over the years, always using the LM215UH1 (SD)(B1) to replace the LM215UH1 (SD)(A1), and changing the cables, using the 2015 (40 to 60 pin) cable to connect to the 60-pin 2017 display. I removed the screens from working 2015 and 2017 4K iMacs, identified as such in Apple About this Mac.

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@kaellis - But you are loosing some of the image fidelity.

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I can confirm that I replaced the screen on my 4K 2015 with a 4K 2019 display. I had to use the existing eDP cable. Outside of that, it was a perfect fix!

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Attempting to fix a 2015 4k with a 2017 4k monitor at the moment. Switched out the eDP cable and getting a blank screen still.

Was there any other steps required for the screen swap?

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Are you at least getting the Apple chime? If you get the Apple chime, connect an external monitor using the Thunderbolt 2 connector with a T2 > DVI/DP/HDMI adapter (whichever one matches your display) to see if you get a video signal.

If you don't get a video signal, I would try to do a PRAM reset with the Cmd+Opt+P+R keys. As long as the eDP cable matches all the connectors, it should work.

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Yes, Apple chime is heard (quite loud too after PRAM reset ). Will try that, thank you. Will need to get adapter first.

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Harvey Olszowski crwdns2934231:0crwdne2934231:0
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