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Repair guides and disassembly information for the 16-inch MacBook Pro released in October of 2021, featuring Apple-designed M1 Pro and M1 Max SoCs. Model A2485.

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Which MacBook screen repairs require Apple System Configuration tool?

Hi, Some time ago I had started a thread about the issues of screen replacement for the MacBook 14" M1 Pro 2021 (A2442). I had learnt through the community here that you would need the Apple System Configuration tool to pair the screen to logic board. I assume that's the correct term.

I have noticed that since my post iFixit has published a guide which mentions this issue:

MacBook Pro 14" 2021 Screen Replacement

Anyway, this got me thinking. Which other models have this same problem? Does the new 2023 14" have the same issue where it needs the Apple System Configuration tool? Does the new 16" have this issue? How about any of the new Airs?

If anyone has a list of models affected by this issue, could you please share it with me or the community? I would be very grateful.

Thank you.

Ryan

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As far as I know, all of the displays with discrete replaceable lid angle sensors need calibration after being installed, but I could be wrong. Good luck!

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Hi Zach, thanks for your helpful response. However, I have replaced the screens on plenty of MacBook Pro's with lid angle sensors and never had issues. The issues I am talking about are mentioned in this video: https://youtu.be/r0Hwb5xvBn8?si=KeObbtGM...

Zach, one more thing, based on what I can see it seems like all the 14" are effected, but just going based on iFixit guides, the 16" are not effected! Can someone please confirm if this correct? Thank you.

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@ryanuk After installing a new display on a 14-inch or 16-inch MBP or an M2 MBA it's been my experience that the display doesn't go to sleep normally when closing the lid until the lid angle sensor is properly calibrated. Everything else might work fine without being calibrated though, so it might be hard to notice. As far as I know, 16-inch MBPs from 2021 on all need to be calibrated for certain functions to work properly.

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@zpl I believe you are right on this point. Am I right in believing the lid angle sensors are paired to the logic board as opposed to the screen? If so, if the lid angle sensors are intact (which they have been in most situations I have dealt with), they could easily be transferred. That's what I have often done. If what I say is incorrect, please correct me because I would prefer to know. Thank you.

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I'm not totally sure how it all works—what I normally do these days is whenever I install a new display I also install a new lid angle sensor that I get through the Apple Self Service Repair program and that's already paired with the serial number of the device, then after install I calibrate the lid angle sensor and display by running the Apple Diagnostic which puts it through a calibration process. Not sure how the lid angle sensor pairing really works, if it can only be calibrated once, etc. Good luck! Any more info you find out would be helpful to share.

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@zpl - The angle sensor is programmed when you access the calibration tool. It is not pre-programmed. Sadly you do need to swap it out when you put in a new display as the setting within the original sensor can’t be altered with the new display.

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Hi Ryan,

I worked in Apple Authorized Service Provider few years ago, from the Mac model 2016 and latest model Apple required to run System Configuration to match when replaced Logic Board, TouchID or Display.

I have a clip here:

https://youtu.be/xGUlOiPwJl0?si=dFpQPO_9...

With some Display model have Truetone, if we swapped Display without running System Configuration we will lost Truetone. I tried with MacBook Pro M1, MacBook Air M1 all lost Truetone.

Especially the MacBook Pro 14" 2021 if we swapped Display, the replacement Display will not show anything. But some repair shop can change the LCD only and keep the chip stored firmware matched with Logic Board, so the new Display can work well in old system.

Good luck!

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Thank you Xuan, that is very helpful.

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There’s a lot of confusion within the MacBook Pro systems starting with the M1!

M1 - You can’t use a virgin display (never used) as the camera firmware has not been installed, you can use a used display, but you will loose TrueTone.

M2 & M3 systems - The Liquid Retina XDR display requires calibration as the active backlighting zones won’t line up. Which forces you to use an Apple sold display to get access to the paywalled tool. The newer lid angle sensor also requires calibration so be careful when disconnecting the ribbon cable.

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Dan, let me make sure I understand you correctly as I know based on my past interactions with you, you are knowledgeable in this area.

M1's - are you saying you will lose true tone if you use a new screen, and there is no way around that? Is this a 100% fact. I am not doubting you. I just need to be certain.

M2 & M3 systems - are you saying all M2's and M3's require calibration. As an example, will the A2681 which is the Air M2, require calibration? I used a new screen on A2681 some time ago, and didn't require calibration. I understand the A2681 will lose it's truetone. Unless this was an anomoly - I don't know what to make of this. I respect your knowledge but I just got to know if its a fact. I know it's a fact on the 14" but others have also reported no issues on the A2681. But I am happy to be corrected and learn. Thank you.

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@ryanuk - The issue is the programming of the TrueTone camera’s ID within the systems firmware. The FaceTime camera is a different system.


To be clear a virgin display straight from the factory won’t have the FaceTime cameras firmware downloaded to it as such it won’t work. Which is why you need a used display and this is only the M1 14 & 16” MacBook Pro’s.


The M2 14 & 16” use a zone based backlight which is where the odd shadows are seen. Basically, the backlight zone which needs to be darker is where the brighter area is called out for. No means to overcome this. Given what Apple showed off earlier this month with a dual layer OLED display I’m sure the next Gen will do away with the zone backlight, instead going to OLED!


The 13” and the airs are different again! As you where asking about the MacBook Pro’s I didn’t want to inject still more confusion into the works.


As for Fact only Apple can tell you that, sadly they aren’t talking!


Our collective knowledge here is what I use and my own experience. I mostly work on M1 & M2 MacBook Pro systems, the current M3 is the same as the M2 with some minor alterations.

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MacBook Air models do not have screens paired to the logic board. Only MacBook Pro models.

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