MacBook Air 13" Retina Display 2019 Antenna Bar Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the antenna bar in a 2019 MacBook Air.

What you need

Step 1 Remove the screws securing the lower case

MacBook Air 13" Retina Display 2019 Antenna Bar Replacement, Remove the screws securing the lower case: step 1, image 1 of 1

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 Air 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 7.1 mm screws
Six 2.6 mm screws

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Step 2 Remove the lower case

MacBook Air 13" Retina Display 2019 Antenna Bar Replacement, Remove the lower case: step 2, image 1 of 1

Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop the lower case off the Air.
Remove the lower case.
After reassembly, your MacBook might not turn on until it's connected to a power source (a low power phone charger may work). To test your repair, plug in your charger, allow two minutes for your MacBook to turn on, and check that everything works as expected.

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Step 3 Disconnect the battery

MacBook Air 13" Retina Display 2019 Antenna Bar Replacement, Disconnect the battery: step 3, image 1 of 1

Peel back the tape covering the battery connector enough to reveal the connector underneath.

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Step 4

Use a spudger to slide the battery connector parallel to the logic board and out of its socket on the logic board.

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Step 5 Disconnect the antenna bar

MacBook Air 13" Retina Display 2019 Antenna Bar Replacement, Disconnect the antenna bar: step 5, image 1 of 2

MacBook Air 13" Retina Display 2019 Antenna Bar Replacement, Disconnect the antenna bar: step 5, image 2 of 2

Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.4 mm screws securing the antenna cable bracket.
Remove the antenna cable bracket.

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Step 6

MacBook Air 13" Retina Display 2019 Antenna Bar Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

Insert the point of a spudger under one of the antenna cables close to the connector.
Pry straight up to disconnect the cable.
Repeat for the other antenna cable.

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Step 7

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

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Step 8

Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up the display cable connector.

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Step 9

Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the following screws:
Four 7.4 mm screws
Two 4.5 mm screws

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Step 10 Remove the antenna bar

MacBook Air 13" Retina Display 2019 Antenna Bar Replacement, Remove the antenna bar: step 10, image 1 of 3

MacBook Air 13" Retina Display 2019 Antenna Bar Replacement, Remove the antenna bar: step 10, image 2 of 3

MacBook Air 13" Retina Display 2019 Antenna Bar Replacement, Remove the antenna bar: step 10, image 3 of 3

Lift the antenna bar straight up and out of the case. Take care not to snag the antenna bar on any cables or connectors.
You may encounter resistance from the clips in the middle of the antenna bar holding it in the case. You may pull hard without damaging anything as long as you pull straight up, perpendicular to the case.
Remove the antenna bar.

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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.

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.

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