MacBook Air 13" Early 2020 Trackpad Replacement

ID: 142682

Description: Use this guide to replace a faulty trackpad in...

Steps:

  1. Before starting this procedure, you should disable your Mac's Auto Boot feature. Auto Boot powers on your Mac when you open the lid, and may be accidentally triggered during disassembly. Use this guide to disable Auto Boot.
  2. If your MacBook is running Big Sur v11.1 or later, disabling Auto Boot may not work. You can proceed normally, but make sure to disconnect the battery as soon as you're inside.
  3. Completely power off and unplug your MacBook Air before you start. Close the display and flip the entire laptop upside-down.
  4. Use a P5 driver to remove the following screws:
  5. Two 7.9 mm screws
  6. Two 7.1 mm screws
  7. Six 2.6 mm screws
  8. Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your MacBook.
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  9. Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop the lower case off the Air.
  10. Remove the lower case.
  11. To reinstall the lower case:
  12. Set it in place and press firmly to engage the two hidden clips underneath. You should feel and hear them snap into place.
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  13. Peel back the tape covering the battery connector enough to reveal the connector underneath.
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  14. Use a spudger to slide the battery connector parallel to the logic board and out of its socket on the logic board.
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  15. Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.4 mm screws securing the trackpad cable cover.
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  16. Remove the trackpad cable cover.
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  17. Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the trackpad cable connector up and out of its socket.
  18. 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 on the middle. If the connector is misaligned, the pins can bend, causing permanent damage.
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  19. Carefully peel the trackpad cable off of the battery.
  20. The trackpad cable is secured to the battery with some light adhesive.
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  21. Use a pair of tweezers to peel back the tape covering the keyboard side of the trackpad cable on the mid board.
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  22. Use the pointed end of a spudger to lift up the small locking flap on the trackpad cable's ZIF connector.
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  23. Slide the keyboard side of the trackpad cable out of its connector.
  24. If possible, grip the cable by the tape, not by the cable itself.
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  25. Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the nine screws securing the trackpad:
  26. Eight fully-coated 3.1 mm screws
  27. One partially-coated 3.1 mm screw
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  28. While keeping the laptop screen-side down, carefully open the laptop. The trackpad will stay sitting on the display.
  29. As you lift, make sure the trackpad cable threads through the opening on the case.
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  30. As you remove the trackpad assembly, be careful not to lose the five small metal washers resting on the screw posts. (They will fly off and get lost with very little provocation.)
  31. Remove the trackpad.
  32. Take extra care to not scratch the display.
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  33. If your replacement trackpad comes with a trackpad cable preinstalled, this step isn't necessary.
  34. Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the small locking flap on the trackpad's ZIF connector.
  35. Slide the trackpad cable straight out of the ZIF connector.
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