Mac mini (2024) Bottom Cover Replacement

ID: 180193

Description: Use this guide to replace the bottom cover in...

Steps:

  1. Fully shut down your Mac mini and unplug all cables from it.
  2. Flip over your Mac mini and place it on a clean, flat surface to avoid scratching the chassis.
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  3. Using the Jimmy or other metal tools during this step could scratch the aluminum chassis; however, it's the simplest way to perform this step. Follow the alternate instructions to avoid scratching the aluminum.
  4. Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the bottom cover and the chassis.
  5. Pry up the bottom cover to create a gap.
  6. Alternatively, you can insert the point of a spudger into one of the plastic vent holes and pry up to create a gap big enough to insert an opening pick into.
  7. Keep the Jimmy inserted under the bottom cover.
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  8. Insert an opening pick into the gap created by the Jimmy.
  9. Remove the Jimmy.
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  10. Slide the opening pick along the bottom cover until you feel it snag on a pin.
  11. There are four pins total—one at each corner of the bottom cover.
  12. Twist the pick to lift the pin out of its slot.
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  13. Continue sliding and prying with the pick along the perimeter of the bottom cover to release the remaining pins.
  14. Don't insert the pick more than an inch when sliding near the power button, as you risk damaging the cable.
  15. During reassembly, press along the perimeter of the bottom until you hear and feel all four pins click back into place.
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  16. Don't remove the bottom cover, as it's still connected to the Mac mini with a cable.
  17. Lift the edge of the bottom cover opposite the power button and flip it over to expose the power button cable.
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  18. The power button cable is very fragile! You don't have to disconnect it to access the internals— but it will require you to keep the bottom cover propped up.
  19. To disconnect the cable and remove the bottom cover, follow the next two steps.
  20. If you don't disconnect the cable, prop up the bottom cover to prevent straining the cable and skip the next two steps.
  21. Grip the power button cable close to the head and pull it away from its socket to disconnect it.
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  22. Remove the bottom cover.
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