MacBook Air (M1, 2020) Bottom Case

Before You Begin

Warning

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

Removal

1. Place the computer on a clean, flat surface with the bottom faceup.

2. Use the pentalobe screwdriver to remove the 10 pentalobe screws as shown.

   • Note: The screw color is specific to your model.

   • Front corners, middle front, and middle sides (1):

     • Gold (923-05171)

     • Silver (923-05168)

     • Space gray (923-05165)

   • Middle rear (2):

     • Gold (923-05172)

     • Silver (923-05169)

     • Space gray (923-05166)

   • Rear corners (3):

     • Gold (923-05170)

     • Silver (923-05167)

     • Space gray (923-05164)

     

   • Note: Two clips inside the bottom case are attached to the top case.

   

3. Press the suction cup to attach it to the lower left corner of the bottom case. Pull up the handle of the suction cup until you feel that the internal clip on the left releases.

4. Lift the edge of the suction cup to release it.

   

5. Move the suction cup to the lower right corner and press the top to attach it to the bottom case.

6. Pull up the handle of the suction cup until you feel that the internal clip on the right releases.

7. Lift the edge of the suction cup to release it.

   

8. Lift the bottom case off the top case. Set the bottom case faceup on a clean, flat surface.

9. Place the battery cover on the battery. Then press the black tabs into the clips on the top case until you feel a click.

   • Warning: Ensure that the battery cover is aligned. Don’t press the battery.

   

10. Flip up the locking bar on the end of the battery flex cable.

    • Caution: Don’t use the locking bar to lift the end of the battery flex cable.

    

11. Use the flat end of the black stick to lift the end of the battery flex cable off the connector.

    

Reassembly

Note: If you’re replacing the bottom case, keep the case until the repair is complete. Locate the serial number on the outside of the existing bottom case. Use a permanent marker to write the system serial number on the inside of the replacement bottom case.

1. Position the end of the battery flex cable over the connector.

   • Caution: Ensure that the locking bar is above the end of the battery flex cable, not under it.

   

2. Press the end of the battery flex cable to the connector (1). Then flip the locking bar all the way down (2).

   

3. Hold the battery cover by the edges and lift it off the top case.

4. Use the microterry polishing cloth to ensure that the bottom case interior is clean and free of debris.

5. Position the bottom case on the top case with the notch at the top. Then lightly press the middle of the bottom case into the clips on the top case until you feel a click.

   

6. Ensure that the screw holes in the bottom case align with the screw holes in the top case.

7. Use the pentalobe screwdriver to reinstall the 10 pentalobe screws into the bottom case in the order shown.

   • Note: Use the correct screw color for your model.

   • Middle rear (1):

     • Gold (923-05172)

     • Silver (923-05169)

     • Space gray (923-05166)

   • Middle front and middle sides (2 and 3):

     • Gold (923-05171)

     • Silver (923-05168)

     • Space gray (923-05165)

   • Rear corners (4):

     • Gold (923-05170)

     • Silver (923-05167)

     • Space gray (923-05164)

   • Front corners (5):

     • Gold (923-05171)

     • Silver (923-05168)

     • Space gray (923-05165)

   

Caution

• After you’ve completed all removal and reassembly steps, learn how to initiate the System Configuration process.

• System Configuration is required if you’ve installed a replacement display, logic board, or Touch ID board.

• If you replaced the logic board, the computer will start up in diagnostics mode until you complete System Configuration.

• If you replaced the Touch ID board, it will function only as a power button until you complete System Configuration.