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MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the logic board in a Late 2020 MacBook Air (M1).

Note that Touch ID will not function after replacing the logic board. The MacBook’s original Touch ID sensor is uniquely paired to the logic board at the factory—and without Apple’s proprietary calibration process, even a genuine replacement logic board from another MacBook Air won’t work.

If you replace the logic board, you must install a paired Touch ID sensor to retain Touch ID functionality.

What you need

  1. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Remove the screws securing the lower case: step 1, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    Magnetic Project Mat
    $19.95
    Buy

    • Before starting this procedure, you should disable your Mac's Auto Boot feature. Auto Boot powers on your Mac when you open the lid, and may be accidentally triggered during disassembly. Use this guide to disable Auto Boot.

    • If your MacBook is running Big Sur v11.1 or later, disabling Auto Boot may not work. You can proceed normally, but make sure to disconnect the battery as soon as you're inside.

    • Completely power off and unplug your MacBook before you start. Close the display and flip the entire laptop upside-down.

    • Use a P5 driver to remove the following screws:

    • Two 7.9 mm screws

    • Two 7.3 mm screws

    • Six 2.6 mm screws

    • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your MacBook.

    Edit

  2. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Remove the lower case: step 2, image 1 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Remove the lower case: step 2, image 2 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Remove the lower case: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop off the lower case.

    • Remove the lower case.

    • To reinstall the lower case:

    • Set it in place and press firmly to engage the two hidden clips underneath. You should feel and hear them snap into place.

    Edit

  3. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 3, image 1 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 3, image 2 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and unlatch the metal locking arm on the battery connector.

    • Make sure the metal arm is completely free of the locking tab before lifting the battery connector. The metal locking arm should easily unlatch.

    • Lift straight up on the metal locking arm to pull the battery connector out of its socket on the logic board.

    • During reassembly, press the battery connector straight down into its socket, making sure it sits flush within the socket.

    • If necessary, push the rear, wire side of the connector into place first, then rock the front of the connector into place.

    Edit

  4. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the audio board cable: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the three 1.4 mm screws securing the audio board connector cover.

    • If your T3 bit feels a bit too loose, you may need to use a T4.

    Edit

  5. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the audio board connector cover.

    Edit

  6. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the audio board connector straight up to disconnect it from the board.

    Edit

  7. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the USB-C board cable: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.4 mm screws securing the USB-C connector cover.

    Edit

  8. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the USB-C connector cover.

    Edit

  10. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the USB-C cable connector up and out of its socket on the logic board.

    Edit

  11. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the antenna bar connections: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the 1.4 mm screw securing the antenna cable cover.

    Edit

  12. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the antenna cable cover.

    Edit

  13. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3
    Tool used on this step:
    Tweezers
    $4.99
    Buy

    • Use a pair of tweezers to grip the antenna connector close to its base.

    • Pull straight up to disconnect the cable.

    • Repeat for the second antenna cable.

    Edit

  14. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the display cable connector cover.

    Edit

  15. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the display cable connector cover.

    Edit

  16. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the display cable connector straight off of the antenna board to disconnect it.

    Edit

  17. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the trackpad cable: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.4 mm screws securing the trackpad cable cover.

    Edit

  18. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the trackpad cable cover.

    Edit

  19. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the trackpad cable connector up and out of its socket.

    Edit

  20. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the left speaker cable: step 19, image 1 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the left speaker cable: step 19, image 2 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the left speaker cable: step 19, image 3 of 3

    • The left speaker will be on your righthand side when working on the MacBook, as it's laying upside down.

    • Slide the pointed end of a spudger underneath the left speaker cable and pry straight up to disconnect it from the logic board.

    Edit

  21. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the microphone cable: step 20, image 1 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the microphone cable: step 20, image 2 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Disconnect the microphone cable: step 20, image 3 of 3

    • Use a pair of tweezers to peel back any tape covering the microphone cable connector.

    • Use the pointed end of a spudger to lift up the small locking flap on the microphone cable's ZIF connector.

    • Slide the microphone cable out of its connector.

    • If possible, grip the cable by the tape, not by the cable itself.

    Edit

  22. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Remove the logic board screws: step 21, image 1 of 1

    • Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the six screws securing the logic board to the upper case:

    • Three 3.5 mm screws

    • One 6.0 mm cushioned screw

    • Two 3.4 mm screws

    Edit

  23. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Remove the logic board: step 22, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the logic board.

    Edit

  24. MacBook Air 13" Late 2020 Logic Board Replacement, Check cables during reassembly: step 23, image 1 of 1

    • When you reinstall the logic board assembly, verify that no cables get trapped under the board as you lower it into place. Check each of the seven locations carefully:

    • Battery cable

    • Audio board cable

    • USB-C board cable

    • Antenna bar cables

    • Display cable

    • Trackpad cable

    • Left speaker and microphone cables

    Edit
Conclusion

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Once you've completed your repair, your laptop may not power back on until connected to power.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Check out our Answers community for troubleshooting help.

35 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 3 other contributors

Carsten Frauenheim

Member since: 03/10/20

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15 Comments

Thank you

How do we access the data on a board that is not working due to corrosion ? We have been informed that the SSD is integrated in the board so until same is working we cannot access the data.

Kiran Meettook Esq - Reply

There used to be a data port on the board that needs a very special piece of equipment to access. You'd need to send it to data recovery, open your wallet very wide, and keep your fingers crossed. It looks like that port no longer exists? Your data is probably gone, but Apple saved you a lot of money on recovery services!

maccentric -

Looking for the WiFi component?

Jens Erik Bech - Reply

The WiFi card on this laptop is built into the logic board.

Aydan -

alguien sabe si existe un adaptador para este tipo placa logica a sdd para?

madrigal26 - Reply

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