iMac Introduction
This manual includes technical instructions for replacing genuine Apple parts in iMac and is intended for individual technicians with the knowledge, experience, and tools required to repair electronic devices.
Important
Read the entire manual first. If you’re not comfortable performing the repairs as instructed in this manual, don’t proceed.
Always use the latest version of this manual available at support.apple.com/docs/mac.
Warning
Failure to follow the repair instructions or to use genuine Apple parts or proper tools may cause electric shock or other safety issues and lead to personal injury or death.
Caution
Failure to follow the repair instructions or to use genuine Apple parts or proper tools may damage the Mac, parts, or other property, or compromise the device’s functionality.
Warranty information
Damage caused by repairs performed outside of Apple or the Apple Authorized Service Provider network is not covered by Apple’s warranty or AppleCare plans. Such damage may cause future repairs to be subject to out-of-warranty costs or render the device ineligible for future repairs by Apple or Apple Authorized Service Providers.
Tools and parts
Ordering tools and parts
When you need to repair an iMac, you can choose from genuine Apple parts, used Apple parts, or third-party parts. Learn more about parts support for iMac.
You can learn how to order genuine Apple parts and tools at support.apple.com/self-service-repair. Parts are available shortly after product release. During the purchase process, enter the manual ID located at the bottom of the Contents page to indicate that you’ve read this manual in its entirety and agree that you have the knowledge and experience to perform your intended repair.
Software tools
Repair Assistant is a post-repair software tool that finishes the repair for select new and used genuine Apple parts. Repair Assistant may be recommended at the end of your repair depending on the part replaced.
What Repair Assistant does | Why it’s important |
|---|---|
Updates replacement logic board with device serial number | Replacement logic boards must be updated with your device’s serial number to ensure that Apple Pay, FaceTime, iMessage, and iCloud services, such as Find My, can communicate securely with your device. |
Transfers factory calibration values | Certain parts like displays, cameras, and ambient light sensors have calibration values that are customized to each individual part during manufacturing. Downloading these values ensures maximum performance and quality after a repair. |
Links Secure Enclave and biometric authentication parts | After repair of a logic board or a biometric authentication part (Touch ID), linking the biometric sensors to the Secure Enclave on the logic board is required to ensure device security. |
Checks for Activation Lock | Repair Assistant checks whether or not certain previously-used parts are associated with a device that has Activation Lock enabled. |
Assigns wireless region | To comply with regional communications regulations, a wireless region must be assigned to your logic board. |
Updates firmware | Keeping firmware up to date ensures that the device has all the latest security and performance features. |
How to initiate Repair Assistant
Ensure that you have:
The latest version of macOS—not a beta version—on the Mac
An internet connection
If you're repairing someone else's device, put the device into diagnostics mode. Then follow the onscreen prompts to run Repair Assistant.
If you're repairing your own device, learn more about Repair Assistant.
Alerts
Failure to follow alerts could result in electric shock, injury, data loss, or damage to the device, parts, or other property.
 | Danger | Instructions for reducing risk of electric shock and electrocution |
 | Warning | Instructions for reducing risk of personal injury |
 | Caution | Instructions for reducing risk of data loss or device hardware damage |
Important | Supplemental information for successfully completing procedures; neither a Warning nor a Caution |