MacBook Air (M1, 2020) Trackpad and Input Device Flex Cable

Before You Begin

Warning

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

Remove the following part before you begin:

Tools

  • Adjustable torque driver (10–34 Ncm)

  • Adjustable torque driver (0.3–1.2 Nm)

  • ESD-safe tweezers

  • Gap offset kit

  • Kapton tape

  • Nylon probe (black stick)

  • Sticky notes (3 by 3 inches)

  • Torx T3 screwdriver

  • Torx T5 bit

  • Torx T5 screwdriver

Important

This procedure may require a trackpad shim kit, which is available only with a replacement trackpad. It’s not a separate orderable part.

Removal

  1. Open the display to a 90-degree angle. Then place the computer on the edge of the table with the display hanging down.

  2. Use the T3 screwdriver to remove the two T3 screws (923-04003) from the IPD connector cowling.

  3. Remove the IPD connector cowling and save it for reassembly.

  4. Use the black stick to lift the end of the IPD flex cable off the connector.

  5. Use the T5 screwdriver to remove the middle T5 screw (923-03002) and the eight corner T5 screws (923-02880).

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

  7. Use the flat end of the black stick to flip up the locking lever on the other end of the IPD flex cable. Slide the end of the flex cable out of the connector.

  8. Gently peel the IPD flex cable off the battery.

  9. Lift the computer off the table and allow the IPD flex cable to pass through the opening in the top case. Leave the trackpad flat on the table to keep the shims in place.

    • Important: If shims fall out, they must be reinstalled in their original locations. If you can’t determine the shims’ original locations, replace them. A replacement shim kit is available only with a replacement trackpad.

  10. Set the computer on the edge of the table with the display hanging down.

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

    • Important: If you’re reinstalling the existing trackpad but the IPD flex cable is damaged, continue to step 12. If you’re reinstalling the existing trackpad and IPD flex cable or you’re installing a replacement trackpad, skip to reassembly.

  12. Use the flat end of the black stick to flip up the locking lever on the trackpad. Then slide the end of the IPD flex cable out of the connector.

Reassembly

Important

  • If you need to install a replacement IPD flex cable, slide the end of the replacement flex cable into the connector on the trackpad. Then flip down the locking lever.

  • If you’re replacing the trackpad, follow step 1. If you’re using the existing trackpad, skip to step 2.

  1. Use ESD-safe tweezers to install replacement trackpad shims. Position four rectangular shims on the outer screw holes. Then position one circular shim on the middle screw hole.

    • Important: A replacement trackpad comes with three sizes of shims (0.100 mm, 0.150 mm, and 0.175 mm). Start with the 0.150 mm shims. Use thinner or thicker shims to adjust alignment in step 16.

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

  3. Ensure that the trackpad lies flat on the table with the IPD flex cable extended away from you.

  4. Route the IPD flex cable back through the opening in the top case.

  5. Slowly lower the computer over the trackpad and align the screw holes in the top case with the screw holes in the trackpad. Let the display hang over the table edge.

  6. Slide the end of the IPD flex cable into the connector. Then flip down the locking lever.

    • Important: Don’t adhere the IPD flex cable to the battery yet.

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

  8. Insert the Torx T5 bit into the 10-34 Ncm adjustable torque driver. Set the torque value to 16 Ncm.

  9. Use the adjustable torque driver and Torx T5 bit to partially reinstall the four outer corner T5 screws (923-02880) into the trackpad to allow for trackpad alignment.

  10. Turn over the computer. Insert one gap offset in each of the four corners of the trackpad. Then secure each gap offset with a piece of Kapton tape.

  11. Stand the computer on its side with the display still open.

  12. Keep the Torx T5 bit in the 10-34 Ncm adjustable torque driver. Ensure that the torque value is still set to 16 Ncm.

  13. Use the adjustable torque driver and Torx T5 bit to fully reinstall the four outer corner T5 screws.

  14. Place the computer right side up. To verify the top of the trackpad is at the correct height, align one sticky note on the trackpad’s top edge. Ensure that the sticky note is flush with the top case.

  15. To verify the bottom of the trackpad is at the correct height, align a stack of two sticky notes on the trackpad’s bottom edge. Ensure that the two sticky notes are flush with the top case.

  16. If the trackpad is at the correct height, continue to step 17. If the trackpad edges are higher or lower than the top case, remove the sticky notes, gap offsets, and Kapton tape. Place the computer on the edge of the table with the display hanging down. Use the T5 screwdriver to remove the four outer corner T5 screws (923-02880), and repeat removal steps 6 through 12. Then follow reassembly steps 1 through 15.

    • Important

      • If the trackpad is higher than the top case, install the thinner 0.100 mm shims.

      • If the trackpad is lower than the top case, install the thicker 0.175 mm shims.

  17. Place the computer on the edge of the table with the display hanging down.

  18. Insert the Torx T5 bit into the 0.3-1.2 Nm adjustable torque driver. Set the torque value to 0.35 Nm.

  19. Use the adjustable torque driver and Torx T5 bit to reinstall the middle T5 screw (923-03002).

  20. Insert the Torx T5 bit into the 10-34 Ncm adjustable torque driver. Set the torque value to 16 Ncm.

  21. Use the adjustable torque driver and Torx T5 bit to reinstall the remaining four inner corner T5 screws (923-02880).

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

  23. Press the end of the IPD flex cable to the connector. Then gently press the flex cable to adhere it to the battery.

    • Important: If you’re installing a replacement IPD flex cable, remove the adhesive backing before adhering the flex cable to the battery.

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

  25. Position the IPD connector cowling over the end of the IPD flex cable.

  26. Use the T3 screwdriver to reinstall the two T3 screws (923-04003) into the IPD connector cowling.

  27. Turn over the computer. Use the flat end of the black stick to lift off the gap offsets and Kapton tape.

Reinstall the following part to complete reassembly:

Published Date: