Introduction

Use this guide to replace a damaged, scuffed, or worn-out bottom cover screw pad on your Mac Studio (2023).

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    • Completely shut down your Mac Studio.

    • Unplug all cables from your device.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • 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.

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    • Insert the flat end of a spudger under the pad.

    • Slide the spudger under the entire pad to separate the remaining adhesive.

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    • Remove the bottom cover screw pad.

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    • 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.

Conclusion

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

Spencer Day

Member since: 14/09/22

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