MacBook Air 15" 2024 Thunderbolt Ports Replacement

Written By: Spencer Day

Comments: 1

MacBook Air 15" 2024 Thunderbolt Ports Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

45 minutes - 1 hour

Introduction

Use this guide to replace one or both of the Thunderbolt ports in your MacBook Air 15" 2024.

If your Thunderbolt cables aren't connecting, have loose connections, connect at odd angles, or disconnect at certain angles, it may be time to replace a Thunderbolt port.

Before replacing a port, try using another cable to make sure the issue isn't with the cable itself.

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 to the frame and firmly slide 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 3IP Torx Plus screwdriver to remove the two 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the battery connector cover.
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 left speaker will be on your right-hand side when working on the MacBook, as it's laying upside down.
Use a 3IP Torx Plus 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 12

Remove the speaker cable cover.

Step 13

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 14

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

Step 15

Remove the three screws securing the right speaker:
One 5.5 mm‑long 4IP Torx Plus screw
One 2.7 mm‑long 4IP Torx Plus screw
One 3.5 mm‑long 6IP Torx Plus screw

Step 16

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 17

A piece of tape on the right edge of the logic board hides the MagSafe and Thunderbolt port connectors cover.
Use blunt nose tweezers or your fingers to peel up and remove the tape.
During reassembly, use the leftover adhesive to secure the tape to the cover.

Step 18

Use a 3IP Torx Plus screwdriver to remove the three 1.5 mm‑long screws securing the port connectors cover.
Remove the cover.

Step 19

This guide shows how to replace both Thunderbolt ports. If you're replacing a single port, only perform each action on that port.
Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the Thunderbolt port press connectors from the right edge of the logic board.

Step 20

The Thunderbolt port cables are strongly adhered to the frame.
Use a hair dryer to heat the cables and soften the adhesive securing them.

Step 21

Slowly peel the Thunderbolt port cables from the frame to separate the adhesive securing them.
During reassembly:
If your new Thunderbolt ports come with adhesive on the cables, remove the plastic liners and press the cables into place on the frame.
If the cables don't have adhesive, use strips of double-sided tape to secure them to the frame.

Step 22

Use a 5IP Torx Plus screwdriver to remove the four 3.7 mm‑long screws securing the Thunderbolt ports.
During reassembly, the screws will be drawn toward the magnet in the MagSafe port. Use angled tweezers to hold the screws in place while tightening them.