Mac Studio 2023 Back Thunderbolt 4 Ports Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

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Mac Studio 2023 Back Thunderbolt 4 Ports Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the back Thunderbolt 4 ports in your Mac Studio (2023).

Note: You can only replace the two inner and two outer ports (or all four), as they're connected by flex cables. You can't replace individual ports.

If you're having trouble connecting devices to the back Thunderbolt 4 ports or cables fit loosely in them, it may be time to replace the ports.

Before starting this repair, read through Apple's troubleshooting article and try the software and cleaning solutions that don't require taking your device apart. Make sure to test your cables with a different device to confirm the issue is with one of the ports, and not the cables themselves.

Tools

Parts

Tesa 61395 Tape

Step 1

Completely shut down your Mac Studio.
Unplug all cables from your device.

Step 2

Flip your Mac Studio over and lay it down so the bottom faces up and the SD card slot and two front USB‑C ports are facing you.

Step 3

Adhesive strips secure the bottom cover screw pad.
Heat an iOpener and lay it over one of the bottom cover screws for two minutes to soften the adhesive near the screw—this is where you'll insert a spudger in the next step.
You can also use a hair dryer or heat gun, but be careful as extreme heat will warp the pad.

Step 4

Insert the point of a spudger under the pad's inner edge, near the screw you applied heat to in the previous step.
This may take some force. If you're having trouble, apply more heat and try again.
Use the spudger to lift the pad and separate the adhesive.

Step 5

Insert the flat end of a spudger under the pad.
Slide the spudger under the entire pad to separate the remaining adhesive.

Step 6

Remove the bottom cover screw pad.

Step 7

During reassembly:
If the adhesive strips are still sticky, you can reuse them.
If you're applying new adhesive:
Use the flat end of a spudger and your fingers to scrape up and remove the old adhesive strips.
Use isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth to remove the old adhesive residue.
If you don't have replacement adhesive, you can use strips of thin, double-sided tape 2–3 mm wide.
Apply the new adhesive strips to the bottom cover and remove their liners.
Firmly press the bottom cover screw pad into its recess to secure it.

Step 8

While the Mac Studio uses Torx Plus screws, standard Torx bits work. Make sure to apply constant, downward force to prevent stripping.
Use a T10 Torx screwdriver to remove the four 8 mm‑long screws securing the bottom cover.
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came.

Step 9

Insert the point of a spudger in one of the bottom cover's ventilation holes and lift the cover until you can grab it with your fingers.
Remove the bottom cover.
To orient the bottom cover, align the Kensington lock cutout in the top left corner with the corresponding one on the internal frame.

Step 10

Use a T10 Torx screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the power supply:
Four 6 mm‑long screws
Two 7 mm‑long screws with washers
You may need to remove a sticker to access these screws. If you do, save it for reassembly.

Step 11

Flip your Mac Studio around so the rear ports are facing you.

Step 12

A tight plastic latch secures the power cord port cable.
Firmly hold the power supply with one hand and lift up the edge near the power cord port.
With your free hand, pinch the head of the power cord port connector to unclip it and pull straight down to disconnect the cable.

Step 13

Only grab the power supply by its edges. Various power components and capacitors are left exposed.
Carefully tilt the power supply away from the power cord port so it's at a 90-degree angle.
Be careful not to strain the cable that's still connected to the power supply.
Keep the power supply tilted up for the next step.

Step 14

A delicate plastic clip secures the power supply signal cable.
With your free hand, pinch the head of the power supply connector to unclip it and pull straight away from the socket to disconnect the cable.

Step 15

Remove the power supply.

Step 16

Flip your Mac Studio around so the SD card reader and two front USB‑C ports are facing you.

Step 17

Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove the eight screws securing the internal frame:
Seven 5 mm‑long screws
One 4 mm‑long screw

Step 18

Slowly lift the internal frame straight up and remove it, making sure no cables get snagged.
During reassembly, make sure the power supply signal cable and power cord port cable don't get stuck under the frame when lowering it into place.

Step 19

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 2 mm‑long screws securing the ethernet board cable cover.
Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the cover.

Step 20

Be very careful not to scrape off or damage any surface mounted components during this step.
Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the ethernet board cable press connector from the logic board.
To reconnect press connectors, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don't press down in the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Step 21

Carefully stand up your Mac Studio so the SD card reader and two front USB-C ports are facing up.

Step 22

Use a T4 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 11 mm‑long screws securing the right side of the ethernet board and its cover.
These screws may be hard to access. If you can't insert your screwdriver properly, use a flexible extension to avoid stripping screws or damaging the logic board.
Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the cover.

Step 23

Insert the point of a spudger under the bottom right corner of the ethernet board press connector and lift up to disconnect it.
Don't pry against any surface mounted components.
Remove the cable.

Step 24

These screws may be hard to access. If you can't insert your screwdriver properly, use a flexible extension to avoid stripping screws or damaging the logic board.
Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 20 mm‑long screws (with washers) securing the ethernet board.
Be careful not to lose the washers, as they can fall off easily.

Step 25

Lift the ethernet board out of its recess and remove it.

Step 26

Reposition your Mac Studio so the SD card reader and two front USB‑C ports are facing you.

Step 27

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 2 mm‑long screws securing the back Thunderbolt 4 port cable cover.
Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the cover.

Step 28

Be very careful not to scrape off or damage any surface mounted components during this step.
Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect both Thunderbolt 4 cable press connectors from the logic board.
To reconnect press connectors, carefully align and press down on one side until it clicks into place, then repeat on the other side. Don't press down in the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend and cause permanent damage.

Step 29

Carefully stand up your Mac Studio so the SD card reader and front two USB-C ports face up.

Step 30

These screws may be hard to access. If you can't insert your screwdriver properly, use a flexible extension to avoid stripping screws or damaging the logic board.
Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the six 5 mm‑long screws securing three of the ports.
Use a T7 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 8 mm‑long standoff screws securing the remaining port.
To align and install a set of ports during reassembly:
Partially tighten all four screws on a set of ports.
Lay your Mac Studio down and plug a cable into each port to ensure proper fit and alignment, adjusting the ports as necessary—the cable should be easy to insert and remove.
With both cables plugged in and the port in position, fully tighten the screws.
Unplug all cables before continuing with reassembly.

Step 31

Flex cables connect the two inner and two outer port pairs. Don't try to remove individual ports—you can easily damage the cables that connect them.
Use your fingers to lift the two inner or outer ports out of their recesses and remove them.
Repeat the process to remove the two other ports.
During reassembly, put the ports into their recesses, making sure the press connectors stay above the logic board.