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MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal

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  1. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Prepare your Macbook Air for disassembly: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Prepare your Macbook Air for disassembly: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Prepare your Macbook Air for disassembly: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Allow your MacBook's battery to drain below 25% before starting this repair—a charged battery may catch fire if damaged.

    • Unplug all cables and fully power off your MacBook.

    • Close the display and lay your MacBook upside down. Keep your laptop closed until you've physically disconnected the battery.

  2. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Unfasten the lower case: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Unfasten the lower case: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    crwdns2935267:0crwdne2935267:0
    FixMat
    $36.95
    • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

    • Use a P5 pentalobe screwdriver to remove the four 6.4 mm‑long screws securing the lower case.

  3. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Insert an opening pick: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Insert an opening pick: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Insert an opening pick: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Apply a suction handle to the center of the lower case's front edge.

    • Pull up on the suction handle to create a gap between the lower case and the frame.

    • Insert an opening pick into the gap.

  4. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Release the snapping clips: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Release the snapping clips: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Release the snapping clips: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • During the next two steps you'll feel and hear six snapping clips release. If a clip doesn't release, insert your opening pick farther and try again.

    • Slide the pick to the bottom right corner to release the first clip.

    • Slide the pick around the corner and up the right edge to release the next two clips.

  5. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Insert the opening pick in the original gap created with the suction handle.

    • Slide the opening pick to the bottom left corner and up the left edge to release the three remaining snapping clips.

  6. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Release the sliding tabs: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Release the sliding tabs: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Release the sliding tabs: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Four sliding tabs along the back edge of the MacBook firmly secure the lower case. Separating these tabs requires a lot of force—consider using gloves to protect your hands from the sharp edges of the lower case.

    • Keep the lower case flat to the frame and firmly slide it straight away from the back edge, one corner at a time, to disengage the sliding tabs.

    • Don't pull up until the cover is completely separated.

  7. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the lower case: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the lower case: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the lower case: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the lower case.

    • During reassembly:

    • Set the lower case in place and align the sliding tabs with the screw heads they slide over. Press down and slide the lower case toward the back edge to engage the tabs—it'll stop sliding as the tabs engage.

    • When one side is engaged, it may push the other out of alignment. Check both sides as you push, there should be no gap along the back edge.

    • Once the lower case is flush with the frame, press down firmly along the perimeter to engage the six snapping clips.

    • You'll hear and feel a distinct click as each clip snaps into place.

  8. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the battery connector cover tape: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the battery connector cover tape: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the battery connector cover tape: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    crwdns2935267:0crwdne2935267:0
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    • Use blunt nose tweezers or your fingers to remove the piece of tape covering the battery connector cover.

    • During reassembly, use the leftover adhesive to secure the tape to the cover.

  9. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the battery connector cover: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the battery connector cover: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the battery connector cover: crwdns2935265:09crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Use a 3IP Torx Plus screwdriver to remove the two 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the battery connector cover.

    • Remove the cover.

  10. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Disconnect the battery: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Disconnect the battery: crwdns2935265:010crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Use an opening pick to pry up and disconnect the battery connector.

    • To reconnect a press connector, align it over the socket and gently press down on one side until it clicks into place, then press down on the other side. It might take a few tries to align the connector.

  11. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Unfasten the speaker cable and hinge covers: crwdns2935265:011crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Unfasten the speaker cable and hinge covers: crwdns2935265:011crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • The left speaker will be on your right-hand side when working on the MacBook, as it's laying upside down.

    • Use a 3IP Torx Plus screwdriver to remove the following screws:

    • Two 2.6 mm‑long screws securing the right hinge cover

    • Two 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the speaker cable cover

  12. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the covers: crwdns2935265:012crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the speaker cable cover.

  13. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the right hinge cover: crwdns2935265:013crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the right hinge cover: crwdns2935265:013crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the right hinge cover: crwdns2935265:013crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Insert the point of a spudger into one of the right hinge cover's screw holes.

    • Push the hinge cover away from the back edge to dislodge it.

    • Remove the hinge cover.

  14. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Disconnect the left speaker: crwdns2935265:014crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Disconnect the left speaker: crwdns2935265:014crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Disconnect the left speaker: crwdns2935265:014crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the left speaker press connector.

  15. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Unfasten the left speaker: crwdns2935265:015crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Unfasten the left speaker: crwdns2935265:015crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the three screws securing the right speaker:

    • One 5.5 mm‑long 4IP Torx Plus screw

    • One 2.7 mm‑long 4IP Torx Plus screw

    • One 3.5 mm‑long 6IP Torx Plus screw

  16. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the left speaker: crwdns2935265:016crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the left speaker: crwdns2935265:016crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the left speaker: crwdns2935265:016crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Make sure the cable on the top left edge of the speaker doesn't get caught on the logic board, as it may tear.

    • Lift the speaker's right edge over the frame and slide it to the right to remove it.

    • During reassembly, slide the speaker cable under the right edge of the antenna bar assembly before laying the speaker in its recess.

  17. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the right ports cover: crwdns2935265:017crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal, Remove the right ports cover: crwdns2935265:017crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    crwdns2935267:0crwdne2935267:0
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    • A piece of tape on the right edge of the logic board hides the MagSafe and Thunderbolt port connectors cover.

    • Use blunt nose tweezers or your fingers to peel up and remove the tape.

    • During reassembly, use the leftover adhesive to secure the tape to the cover.

  18. MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal: crwdns2935265:018crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal: crwdns2935265:018crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0 MagSafe/Thunderbolt Ports Cover Removal: crwdns2935265:018crwdnd2935265:03crwdnd2935265:03crwdne2935265:0
    • Use a 3IP Torx Plus screwdriver to remove the three 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the port connectors cover.

    • Remove the cover.

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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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