MacBook Air (15-inch, M3, 2024) 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 tool

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

Caution

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

Removal

  1. Open the display and stand the computer on its side.

  2. Press the Touch ID button. During reassembly, you’ll need to ensure that the button feels the same when you press it.

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

  4. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to remove the 3IP screw (923-08925) from the Touch ID board connector cowling. Remove the cowling and save it for reassembly.

  5. Use the black stick to lift the end of the Touch ID board flex cable off the connector.

  6. Lift the end of the Touch ID board flex cable (1) and use the flat end of the black stick to gently peel the flex cable from the top case (2).

  7. Use the blue torque driver and 2IP bit to partially unscrew the set screw (923-08982) with one turn.

    • Important: If the set screw falls out, partially reinstall it with one clockwise rotation.

  8. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to remove the four corner 3IP screws (1) and the two middle 3IP screws (2) from the Touch ID board and flexible cowling.

    • 923-08918 (1)

    • 923-08917 (2)

  9. Use ESD-safe tweezers to remove the Touch ID board flexible cowling. Save the flexible cowling for reassembly.

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

  10. Open the display and stand the computer on its side.

  11. 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. Route the Touch ID board flex cable through the slot in the top case. Then position the Touch ID board in the recess on the top case.

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

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

  3. Use ESD-safe tweezers to position the Touch ID board flexible cowling as shown.

  4. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to partially reinstall the four corner 3IP screws (1) and the two middle 3IP screws (2) into the Touch ID board.

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

    • 923-08918 (1)

    • 923-08917 (2)

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. Use the teal torque driver and 3IP bit to fully reinstall the two middle 3IP screws.

  9. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to partially tighten the bottom left 3IP screw.

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

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

  11. Open the display and stand the computer on its side.

  12. 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 reassembly step 22.

      • If the gaps around the sides are unequal, complete steps 13 through 21 to realign the Touch ID button.

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

  14. Use the teal torque driver and 3IP bit to loosen the two middle 3IP screws.

  15. Rotate the computer to access the Touch ID board.

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

  17. 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.

  18. 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.

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

  20. Use the teal torque driver and 3IP bit to fully reinstall the two middle 3IP screws.

  21. 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 reassembly step 22.

      • If the gaps around the sides are unequal, repeat removal steps 8 through 11. Then repeat the reassembly steps.

  22. Use the blue torque driver and 2IP bit to tighten or loosen the 2IP set screw (923-08982) while you press the Touch ID button. Ensure that it feels the same as it did prior to removal.

    • Important

      • If the Touch ID button feels too stiff or doesn't move, the 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 set screw is too loose. Use the blue torque driver and 2IP bit to tighten the 2IP set screw.

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

  24. Press the end of the Touch ID board flex cable to the connector.

  25. Press the Touch ID board flex cable to adhere it to the top case.

  26. Position the Touch ID board connector cowling over the end of the flex cable.

  27. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to reinstall the 3IP screw (923-08925) into the Touch ID board connector cowling.

Reinstall the following parts to complete reassembly:

Caution

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

Published Date: