MacBook Air 15" 2024 Screen Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

Comments: 4

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a broken or cracked screen on your MacBook Air 15" 2024.

Replacing your screen will disable its True Tone functionality.

Tools

Step 1

Allow your MacBook's battery to drain below 25% before starting this repair—a charged battery may catch fire if damaged.
Unplug all cables and fully power off your MacBook.
Close the display and lay your MacBook upside down. Keep your laptop closed until you've physically disconnected the battery.

Step 2

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
Use a P5 pentalobe screwdriver to remove the four 6.4 mm‑long screws securing the lower case.

Step 3

Apply a suction handle to the center of the lower case's front edge.
Pull up on the suction handle to create a 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 six 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 two clips.

It is possible to break these off of the lid if you do not understand how they lock. They lock by pressing the lid straight down onto the body, not from the side. If I did it again I would find the clip, and just twist the tool to pull the two halves directly away from each other.

Geoff Baker -

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 three 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.

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

Step 8

Use blunt nose tweezers or your fingers to remove the piece of tape covering the battery connector cover.
During reassembly, use the leftover adhesive to secure the tape to the cover.

Step 9

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 1.5 mm‑long 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.
Remove the cover.

Step 10

Use an opening pick to pry up and disconnect the battery 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

The right speaker will be on your left-hand side when working on the MacBook, as it's laying upside down.
Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the following screws:
Two 2.6 mm‑long screws securing the left hinge cover
Two 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the speaker cable cover

Step 12

Remove the speaker cable cover.

Step 13

Insert the point of a spudger into one of the left hinge cover's screw holes.
Push the hinge cover away from the back edge to dislodge it.
Remove the hinge cover.

Step 14

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the right speaker press connector.

Step 15

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the top edge of the right speaker:
One 2.7 mm‑long screw
One 5.5 mm‑long screw
Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove the 3.5 mm‑long screw securing the bottom edge of the speaker.

Step 16

Make sure the cable on the top right edge of the speaker doesn't get caught on the logic board, as it may tear.
Lift the speaker's left edge over the frame and slide it to the left to remove it.
During reassembly, slide the speaker cable under the left edge of the antenna bar assembly before laying the speaker in its recess.

Step 17

The left speaker will be on your right-hand side when working on the MacBook, as it's laying upside down.
Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the following screws:
Two 2.6 mm‑long screws securing the right hinge cover
Two 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the speaker cable cover

Step 18

Remove the speaker cable cover.

Step 19

Insert the point of a spudger into one of the right hinge cover's screw holes.
Push the hinge cover away from the back edge to dislodge it.
Remove the hinge cover.

Step 20

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the left speaker press connector.

Step 21

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the two screws securing the top edge of the left speaker:
One 2.7 mm‑long screw
One 5.5 mm‑long screw
Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to remove the 3.5 mm‑long screw securing the bottom edge of the speaker.

Step 22

Make sure the cable on the top left edge of the speaker doesn't get caught on the logic board, as it may tear.
Lift the speaker's right edge over the frame and slide it to the right to remove it.
During reassembly, slide the speaker cable under the right edge of the antenna bar assembly before laying the speaker in its recess.

Step 23

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the antenna cables cover.
Remove the cover.

Step 24

Insert one arm of a pair of angled tweezers under the metal neck of one of the antenna connectors and lift straight up to disconnect it.
Disconnect the other antenna.
To reconnect antenna connectors, hold each one in place over its socket and press down with the flat end of your spudger. The connector will snap into place.

on reconnect, there is very little length to play with on cables for these two push connectors. When re-connecting, leave 2 antennae T5 screws on step 25 loose in order to guide cables on and push them down onto connectors. Then finish tightening T5 screws on the antennae.

Macrepair SF -

Step 25

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 5.5 mm‑long screws securing the antenna bar.

Step 26

Remove the antenna bar.

Step 27

A foam pad hides two screws securing the display and camera cables cover. It's secured with light adhesive.
Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the foam pad from the cover.
During reassembly, use the leftover adhesive to secure the pad. If the pad doesn't stick, use double-sided tape to secure it.

Step 28

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the four 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the display and camera cables cover.
Remove the cover.

Step 29

Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the display and camera cable press connectors.

Step 30

During reassembly, use the flat end of a spudger to gently push the display and camera cables under the logic board.

Step 31

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 2.8 mm‑long screws securing the display and camera cables to the frame.

Step 32

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the lid angle sensor from the top left corner of the MacBook.

What is the screw driver for lid angle sensor screw?

Albit Paoli -

Hi Albit. It's a Torx Plus 1IP screw. If you don't have a Torx Plus 1IP bit, I would try using a standard T1 or T2 Torx bit.

Spencer Day -

Step 33

Use a T8 Torx screwdriver to loosen (not remove) the eight hinge screws.

Step 34

Fully open your MacBook and gently place it keyboard-side-down on a table so the screen hangs over the edge.

Step 35

Support the screen with one hand and use your free hand to remove the eight 4.7 mm‑long T8 Torx screws securing the hinges.
Keep a firm grip on your laptop, as it can easily fall off the table.

Step 36

Hold the screen with both hands and lift the hinges out of their recesses to remove the screen.
To install a new screen:
Make sure the screen hinges are fully open and guide them into their recesses in the frame.
Partially tighten the eight hinge screws.
Close your laptop and make sure the screen is properly aligned. If it clicks or snaps, readjust the alignment.
Fully tighten the hinge screws.

Conclusion

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 ask our Answers community for help.

Author

Spencer Day

Member since: 14/09/22

59589 Reputation

MacBook Air 15" 2024 Screen Replacement

Introduction

Tools

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