MacBook Air (M1, 2020) Speakers

Before You Begin

Warning

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

Important

This procedure requires battery and speaker adhesive.

Removal

1. Use the T3 screwdriver to remove the three T3 screws (923-04003) from the audio board connector cowling.

2. Remove the audio board connector cowling and save it for reassembly.

   

3. Place the pointed end of the black stick under the right speaker flex cable. Then use the black stick to lift the end of the flex cable off the connector.

   

4. Place the flat end of the black stick under the left speaker flex cable to loosen the adhesive and peel the flex cable from the logic board. Then use the black stick to lift the end of the flex cable off the connector.

   

5. Tilt up the top corner of the battery cover to access the T3 screw (923-03850). Press and hold the battery cover tab to ensure that it remains clipped into the top case.

6. Use the T3 screwdriver to remove the T3 screw.

   

7. Tilt up the bottom corner of the battery cover to access the speaker adhesive tab. Press and hold the battery cover tab to ensure that it remains clipped into the top case.

8. Use ESD-safe tweezers to grasp the speaker adhesive tab. Then peel the adhesive tab off the top of the speaker.

   

9. Slowly pull the speaker adhesive tab past the battery cover. As the speaker adhesive strip stretches, twist the tweezers to wrap the strip around them. Continue to slowly pull and twist the tweezers until you’ve removed the entire strip.

   • Important: Avoid pulling the adhesive strip against the edge of the top case or the strip may break.

     

   • Caution: If the adhesive strip breaks, attempt to retrieve the rest of the strip with ESD-safe tweezers. If you can’t retrieve the rest of the strip, replace the top case.

10. Tilt up the side of the battery cover. Press and hold the battery cover tab to ensure that it remains clipped into the top case. Then tilt up the side of the speaker that is next to the battery (1) and roll it out of the top case (2).

    

11. Repeat steps 5 through 10 to remove the other speaker.

Reassembly

Important

• Replacement speakers must be installed as a pair. Each replacement speaker includes preinstalled speaker adhesive.

• Use ethanol wipes or IPA wipes to clean any adhesive residue from the top case.

Note: If you’re replacing the speakers, peel the release liner off the adhesive strip on the back of each replacement speaker. Then skip to step 3.

1. If you’re reinstalling the existing speakers, peel the adhesive backing off the speaker adhesive strips.

   

2. Press one speaker adhesive strip onto the back of the speaker. Then peel the release liner off the adhesive strip as shown.

   

3. Tilt up the side of the battery cover and keep it tilted up for steps 4 through 6. Press and hold the battery cover tab to ensure that it remains clipped into the top case. Then rotate the speaker slightly and tuck it into position in the top case.

   

4. Gently press both ends of the speaker for a few seconds to adhere the speaker to the top case.

5. Adhere the speaker adhesive tab to the top of the speaker.

   

6. Use the T3 screwdriver to reinstall the T3 screw (923-03850). Then lower the corner of the battery cover.

   

7. To reinstall the other speaker, repeat steps 1 through 6. If you’re installing replacement speakers, repeat steps 3 through 6 with the other speaker. Then continue to step 8.

8. Press the ends of both speaker flex cables to the connectors. Use the black stick to gently press the left speaker flex cable and adhere it to the logic board.

   

9. Position the audio board connector cowling over the ends of the flex cables.

10. Use the T3 screwdriver to reinstall the three T3 screws (923-04003) into the audio board connector cowling.

    

Reinstall the following part to complete reassembly:

• Bottom case