MacBook Air 13" Late 2010 AirPort/Bluetooth Card Replacement
Introduction
Go to step 1Use this guide to replace your AirPort/Bluetooth card.
Video Overview
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Tool used on this step:P5 Pentalobe Screwdriver Retina MacBook Pro and Air$5.99
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Remove the following ten screws:
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Two 9 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws
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Eight 2.6 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws
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Grab the clear plastic pull tab attached to the battery connector and pull it toward the front edge of the Air to disconnect the battery from the logic board.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both antenna connectors up from their sockets on the AirPort/Bluetooth card.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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6 Comments
I would like AC WiFi and Bluetooth 4 support by upgrading the internal card. Can you install upgrade WiFi/Bluetooth cards into this slot?
This guide is helpful but doesn’t include the most important part, which is re-connecting the antennas. I’ve done this exact replacement in my mid-2010 13” MBA, and you will need antenna extenders (MHF4 female to male) to make it work. Other discussions on this suggest breaking off the antenna cable bracket near the hinge to get extra length, but that still won’t work. You need extensions. I found mine on eBay US, despite living in Canada - they didn’t appear on my local site for whatever reason.
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Also, be VERY careful when disconnecting the MHF4 connectors from the card (step 4). They’re rated for 30 disconnects max (I had to do a lot of research to find the right connector) and I managed to break one. I essentially had to tape the socket together once I got the extensions in the mail - just buy them from the beginning so you don’t mess around with trying to lengthen to cord like I did. That’s what caused all my issues.
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The exact item I bought was “2pcs MHF4 Male to MHF4 Cable Antenna Extension Female.”
