Mac Studio (2025) Back Thunderbolt Ports

Before You Begin

Warning

Read Mac Electrical Safety and follow workspace handling guidelines before you begin.

Remove the following parts before you begin:

Tools

  • Adjustable torque driver (10–34 Ncm)

  • Nylong probe (black stick)

  • Torque driver (orange, 0.85 kgf cm)

  • Torx Plus 3IP 44 mm half-moon bit

  • Torx Plus 5IP 50 mm bit

  • Torx T7 screwdriver

  • USB-C charge cable

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

Note: The images in this procedure show the removal and reinstallation of two back Thunderbolt ports. However, the procedure to remove and reinstall one or both is the same.

Removal

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

  1. Use the orange torque driver and 3IP bit to remove the two 3IP screws (923-12499) from the back Thunderbolt ports connector cowling.

  2. Remove the back Thunderbolt ports connector cowling and save it for reassembly.

  3. Use the black stick to lift the ends of the back Thunderbolt ports flex cables off the connectors.

  4. Stand the computer on its back with the front ports facing up.

  5. Use the adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to remove the six 5IP screws (923-12491) from the back Thunderbolt ports.

  6. Use the Torx T7 screwdriver to remove the two T7 standoff screws (923-12497) from the back Thunderbolt ports.

  7. Lift the back Thunderbolt ports out of the housing.

Reassembly

  1. Position the computer so the front ports face you.

  2. Position the back Thunderbolt ports in the housing and press the end of the back Thunderbolt ports flex cable to the connector (1). Then insert the back Thunderbolt ports into the opening in the housing (2).

  3. Position the other two back Thunderbolt ports in the housing and press the end of the back Thunderbolt ports flex cable to the connector (1). Then insert the back Thunderbolt ports into the opening in the housing (2).

  4. Stand the computer on its back with the front ports facing up.

  5. Use the Torx T7 screwdriver to partially reinstall the two T7 standoff screws (923-12497) into the back Thunderbolt ports.

  6. Use the adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to partially reinstall the six 5IP screws (923-12491) into the back Thunderbolt ports.

  7. Position the computer so the front ports face you.

  8. Press evenly along the length of each connector to ensure that they’re fully connected to the logic board.

    • Note: The image below is an example of flex cables that are not fully connected.

  9. Position the back Thunderbolt ports connector cowling over the ends of the back Thunderbolt ports flex cable. Then use the orange torque driver and 3IP bit to reinstall two 3IP screws (923-12499) into the cowling.

  10. Rotate the computer so the back ports are facing you.

  11. Plug both ends of the USB-C charge cable into two back Thunderbolt ports (1) as shown to ensure back Thunderbolt ports alignment. Adjust the alignment of the ports until both ends of the USB-C charge cable are easy to insert and remove.

  12. Set the torque value of the adjustable torque driver to 17.5 Ncm. Then use the adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to fully reinstall four 5IP screws into the back Thunderbolt ports (2).

  13. Plug both ends of the USB-C charge cable into the other two back Thunderbolt ports (1) as shown to ensure back Thunderbolt ports alignment. Adjust the alignment of the ports until both ends of the USB-C charge cable are easy to insert and remove.

  14. Set the torque value of the adjustable torque driver to 17.5 Ncm. Then use the adjustable torque driver and 5IP bit to fully reinstall two 5IP screws into the back Thunderbolt ports (2).

  15. Use the Torx T7 screwdriver to fully reinstall the two T7 standoff screws (3).

Reinstall the following parts to complete reassembly:

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