Logic Board Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

Comments: 8

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

40 - 50 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the logic board in your MacBook Air 13" 2022.

To maintain Touch ID functionality, you must also replace your Touch ID sensor with a new one that's paired to the replacement logic board. If your new logic board doesn't come with a paired Touch ID sensor, you'll lose functionality. The MacBook Air's original Touch ID sensor is uniquely paired to the logic board at the factory—and without Apple’s proprietary calibration process, even a genuine replacement Touch ID sensor from another MacBook Air won’t work.

Tools

Parts

MacBook Air M2 2022 (A2681) 8-Core 3.49GHz CPU / 8-Core GPU Logic Board with Paired Touch ID Sensor

Step 1

Before you begin, discharge your battery below 25%, as a charged lithium-ion battery can be dangerous if accidentally punctured.
Power off your MacBook Air and unplug all cables.
Close the display and flip the laptop upside down. Keep the lid closed until you've physically disconnected the battery.

Step 2

Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove the four 6.4 mm screws securing the lower case:
Two screws with a short threaded portion near the hinges
Two screws with a long threaded portion near the front of the MacBook
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.

Step 3

Apply a suction handle to the center of the lower case's front edge.
Pull up on the suction handle with strong, steady force to create a small gap between the lower case and the frame.
Insert an opening pick into the gap.

Step 4

During the next two steps you'll feel and hear four 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 clip.

Step 5

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 two remaining snapping clips.

Step 6

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 and firmly pull 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.

It's obvious once you know how, but I think that stating the direction of force you apply to the lower case (towards the front) to separate the sliding tabs would be helpful.

Thank you for the great instructions!

Tatsuya Takahashi -

The back tabs are meant to slide down towards the track pad. Do not pull up on the back tabs

nick mulvaine -

Step 7

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

Nice !

Clay Eickemeyer -

I'd bet that if iFixit was to source upgraded replacement lower case 'feet' with a material like nearly any earlier macbook air or pros had--less hard and slippery--they'd sell a lot of them. I'd buy several sets. The OEM feet are horrible and not very 'Apple' in quality.

Walt Keyes -

Step 8

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the battery connector cover.
Due to screw variances, you may need to use a T4 Torx instead. Keep this in mind whenever you encounter T3 Torx screws during this repair.

Step 9

Remove the battery connector cover.

Step 10

Use an opening pick to pry up and disconnect the battery press 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.

Step 11

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the trackpad cable cover.

Step 12

Use a spudger or your fingers to move the trackpad cable cover out of the way so you can access the press connector underneath.

Step 13

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the trackpad cable press connector.
To re-attach press connectors like this one, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Do not press down in the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Step 14

Peel up and remove the foam pad from the lower display cable cover to reveal a hidden screw.

Step 15

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the fourteen 1.5 mm screws securing the various cable covers.

Step 16

Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the six cable covers.

In step 16 (see here https://i.imgur.com/jbmTEsg.png) there are three screws retaining the inboard LCD connector cover. There is a piece of tape covering the centre screw, and it had me stumped for a minute (I am not vwery smart, am I 😂)

Peter Newman -

Step 17

Remove the four screws securing the upper display cable cover:
Two 2.5 mm P2 Pentalobe screws
Two 2.5 mm T3 Torx screws
During reassembly, the Pentalobe screws must thread into their holes on the plastic securing bracket.

Step 18

Remove the upper display cable cover and plastic securing bracket.
During reassembly, make sure that the upper lip of the metal cable cover slots into the plastic bracket.

Step 19

Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect both display cable press connectors.

Step 20

Disconnect the microphone array press connector, directly to the left of the display cable.

Does anybody know what this connects too?
Is it part of the Holy Display Trinity (LCD LVDS, Backlight & Camera) or is this something else?

OmeletteBaguette -

Hi! Thank you for the comment. This is the microphone array connector. The guide has been updated!

Spencer Day -

Step 21

Disconnect the left and right speaker press connectors.

Step 22

Insert the flat end of a spudger between the the interconnect cable and the screw post.
Pry up and disconnect the interconnect cable.

Step 23

Disconnect the MagSafe port press connector.

Step 24

Disconnect both Thunderbolt port press connectors.

Step 25

Use a pair of tweezers to grip the first antenna connector, as close to its base as possible.
Lift straight up to disconnect the cable.
The antenna connectors on the logic board are very fragile. When disconnecting the cables, pull straight up—don’t bend them to the side.
Repeat for the second antenna cable.
To reattach antenna connectors like these, align the connector over its socket and press down with the flat end of a spudger. The connector should snap into place. This can be tricky and may take a few tries.

Step 26

Remove the nine screws securing the logic board:
Three 3.8 mm T5 Torx screws
One 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw
Two 3.4 mm T5 Torx screws
One 3.1 mm T5 Torx screw
Two 2.7 mm T3 Torx screws

Step 27

The logic board and its cover are connected and remove as one assembly.
The cover extends out from the logic board's left edge and bends easily. Don't pull the board up from this side.
Grip the right side of the logic board and slide it towards the trackpad until it clears the overhangs near the speakers.
Remove the logic board.

Step 28

When you reinstall the logic board, verify that no cables get trapped under the board as you lower it into place. Check each of the seven locations carefully:
Right speaker cable
Trackpad cable
Display cables and microphone array cable
Antenna cables
Battery cable
Left speaker cable
USB-C and MagSafe cables

Need to include the microphone array cable from Step 20 ;)

Jeff Suovanen -

Conclusion

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before you install it.

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

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting or check out our Answers community for help.

Author

Spencer Day

Member since: 14/09/22

88286 Reputation

Logic Board Replacement

Introduction

Tools

Parts

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