Mac Studio 2023 SDXC Card Reader Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

Comments: 0

Mac Studio 2023 SDXC Card Reader Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a broken SDXC card reader in your Mac Studio (2023).

If you're having issues reading SD cards or your cards aren't fitting properly, it may be time to replace the card reader.

Before starting this repair, read through Apple's troubleshooting article and try other solutions that don't require taking apart your device. Make sure to test your SD card on another computer to ensure the issue is with the card reader and not the card itself.

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

Reposition your Mac Studio so the power cord port is facing you.

Step 20

Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the four 2 mm‑long screws securing the SDXC card reader cable covers.

Step 21

Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the two cable covers.

Step 22

Be very careful not to scrape off or damage any surface mounted components during this step.
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the card reader cable press connector from the logic board.
Use the point of a spudger to disconnect the cable's other press connector from the reader itself.
Remove the cable.
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 23

Use the point of a spudger or a clean fingernail to flip up the hinged locking flap on the status indicator light cable ZIF connector, located on the right side of the card reader.
Use tweezers to gently pull the cable straight out of its socket.

Step 24

Very light adhesive secures the cable to the side of the card reader.
Use tweezers to gently pull the cable away from the card reader and separate the adhesive.

Step 25

Carefully stand up your Mac Studio so the rear ports face up.

Step 26

Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the two 6 mm‑long screws securing the card reader.
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.