MacBook Air (15-inch, M5) Touch ID Board

Before You Begin

Warning

Read Battery Safety and follow workspace and battery handling guidelines before you begin.

Remove the following parts before you begin:

Tools

  • ESD-safe tweezers

  • Kapton tape

  • Nylon probe (black stick)

  • Torque driver (blue, 0.65 kgf cm)

  • Torque driver (teal, 0.75 kgf cm)

  • Torx Plus 2IP 44 mm half-moon bit

  • Torx Plus 3IP 44 mm half-moon bit

  • Touch ID alignment kit

Refer to a full list of tools required for all repairs.

Important

If you replace this part, it’s recommended to run Repair Assistant in order to finish the repair. Repair Assistant will be available on the device after you’ve completed all reassembly steps.

Removal

Note: If you’ve already completed the removal steps, skip to reassembly.

  1. Open the display and stand the computer on its side. Press the Touch ID button. During reassembly, you’ll need to ensure that the button feels the same when you press it.

  2. Close the display and then lay the computer display side down.

  3. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to remove the 3IP screw (923-14455) from the Touch ID board connector cowling. Remove the cowling and save it for reassembly.

  4. Use the flat end of the black stick to lift the end of the Touch ID board flex cable off the connector (1) and gently peel the flex cable from the top case (2).

  5. Use the blue torque driver and 2IP bit to loosen the 2IP set screw (923-12569) with one full turn.

  6. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to remove the six 3IP screws from the Touch ID board flexible cowling.

    • Four corner screws (923-12570) (1)

    • Two middle screws (923-12571) (2)

  7. Remove the Touch ID board flexible cowling and save it for reassembly.

    • Important: Note the orientation of the Touch ID board flexible cowling for reassembly.

  8. Open the display and stand the computer on its side. Then hold the Touch ID board as you route the Touch ID board flex cable through the slot as shown.

Reassembly

  1. Stand the computer on its side with the display still open.

  2. Route the Touch ID board flex cable through the slot in the top case. Then position the Touch ID board over the opening in the top case.

    • Important: If you’re installing a replacement Touch ID board, remove the protective film from the glass surface and the Touch ID board flex cable.

  3. Close the display and place the computer display side down.

  4. Position the Touch ID board flexible cowling as shown.

  5. Use the teal torque driver and 3IP bit to partially reinstall the two 3IP screws (923-12571) into the middle of the Touch ID board flexible cowling.

    • Important: Stop tightening the screws when the screwheads touch the Touch ID board flexible cowling and before you feel resistance.

  6. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to partially reinstall the four 3IP screws (923-12570) into the corners of the Touch ID board flexible cowling.

    • Important: Stop tightening the screws when the screwheads touch the Touch ID board flexible cowling and before you feel resistance.

  7. Place the computer right side up with the display open. Center the Touch ID button so that the spaces on each side appear equal and the Touch ID button aligns with the function row keys.

  8. Set the two Y-shaped alignment tools against the Touch ID button. Insert the tabs in the corner edges as shown. Then secure the alignment tools with Kapton tape.

  9. Ensure that the Touch ID button is held in place by the Y-shaped tools as you close the display. Then place the computer display side down.

  10. Use the teal torque driver and 3IP bit to fully reinstall the two middle 3IP screws into the Touch ID board flexible cowling.

  11. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to partially tighten the lower left 3IP screw.

    • Important: Stop tightening when you feel resistance and before the torque driver clicks.

  12. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to fully reinstall the four corner 3IP screws in the order shown.

  13. Open the display and stand the computer on its side. Look directly at the Touch ID button. The spaces on each side should appear equal and the Touch ID button should align with the function keys.

    • Important

      • If the gaps around the sides are equal, remove the Kapton tape and Y-shaped alignment tools, then skip to step 23.

      • If the gaps around the sides are unequal, complete steps 14 through 22 to realign the Touch ID button.

  14. Keep the display open with the computer on its side. Rotate the computer to access the screws.

  15. Use the teal torque driver and 3IP bit to loosen the two middle 3IP screws in the Touch ID board.

  16. Rotate the computer to access the Touch ID button.

  17. Remove the Kapton tape and Y-shaped alignment tools.

  18. Center the Touch ID button so that the spaces on each side appear equal and the Touch ID button aligns with the function row keys.

  19. Set the two Y-shaped alignment tools against the Touch ID button. Insert the tabs in the corner edges as shown. Then secure the alignment tools with Kapton tape.

  20. Keep the display open with the computer on its side. Rotate the computer to access the screws.

  21. Use the teal torque driver and 3IP bit to fully reinstall the two middle 3IP screws into the Touch ID board.

  22. Look directly at the Touch ID button. The spaces on each side should appear equal and the Touch ID button should align with the function row keys.

    • Important

      • If the gaps around the sides are equal, remove the Kapton tape and Y-shaped alignment tools, then continue to step 23.

      • If the gaps around the sides are unequal, repeat removal steps 6 through 8. Then repeat the reassembly steps.

  23. Use the blue torque driver and 2IP bit to tighten or loosen the 2IP set screw (923-12569) while you press the Touch ID button. Ensure that the Touch ID button feels the same as it did prior to removal.

    • Important

      • If the Touch ID button feels too stiff or doesn't move, the 2IP set screw has been overtightened. Use the blue torque driver and 2IP bit to loosen the 2IP set screw.

      • If the Touch ID button can be pressed down but doesn't click, the 2IP set screw is too loose. Use the blue torque driver and 2IP bit to tighten the 2IP set screw.

  24. Close the display and place the computer display side down. Press the end of the Touch ID board flex cable to the connector (1). Then press the Touch ID board flex cable to adhere it to the top case (2).

  25. Position the Touch ID board connector cowling over the connector. Ensure that the cowling is tucked under the arms on the bracket.

  26. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to reinstall the 3IP screw (923-14455) into the Touch ID board connector cowling.

Reinstall the following parts to complete reassembly:

Important

Depending on the part replaced, Repair Assistant may be available on the device to finish the repair. Learn how to initiate Repair Assistant.

Published Date: