MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025) Bottom Case

Before You Begin

Warning

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

Tools

  • Battery cover

  • Battery flex cable alignment tool

  • Cut-resistant gloves

  • ESD-safe tweezers

  • Fine-tip permanent marker

  • Nylon probe (black stick)

  • Pentalobe screwdriver

  • Suction cup

  • Torque driver (blue, 0.65 kgf cm)

  • Torx Plus 3IP 44 mm half-moon bit

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

Note: This procedure may show images of different models, but the steps are the same. Ensure that you use the correct tools for the model you’re repairing.

Removal

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

  1. Place the computer on a clean, flat surface with the bottom faceup.

  2. Use the pentalobe screwdriver to remove the two pentalobe screws (1) from the front corners of the bottom case.

    • Note: The screw color is specific to the model.

      • Silver (923-12542)

      • Sky blue (923-12542)

      • Starlight (923-12542)

      • Midnight (923-12545)

  3. Use the pentalobe screwdriver to remove the two pentalobe screws (2) from the rear corners of the bottom case.

    • Note: The screw color is specific to the model.

      • Silver (923-12541)

      • Sky blue (923-12541)

      • Starlight (923-12541)

      • Midnight (923-12544)

  4. Note the location of the four internal clips that attach the bottom case to the top case.

  5. Align the right edge of the suction cup with the left edge of the groove in the top case as shown. Then press the suction cup to attach it near the front edge of the bottom case.

  6. Pull up the handle of the suction cup until the internal clip on the front edge releases.

  7. Squeeze the edges of the suction cup to release it.

  8. Align the left edge of the suction cup with the right edge of the groove in the top case. Then press the suction cup to attach it near the front edge of the bottom case.

  9. Pull up the handle of the suction cup until you feel the internal clip on the front edge release. Then squeeze the edges of the suction cup to release it.

  10. Press the suction cup to attach it to the left side of the bottom case.

  11. Pull up the handle of the suction cup until you feel the internal clip on the left release. Then squeeze the edges of the suction cup to release it.

  12. Press the suction cup to attach it to the right side of the bottom case.

  13. Pull up the handle of the suction cup until you feel the internal clip on the right release. Then squeeze the edges of the suction cup to release it.

  14. Put on the cut-resistant gloves.

  15. Slightly lift the bottom case to create a narrow opening between the bottom case and top case on the side facing you. Then pull the bottom case to remove it from the top case. Set the bottom case faceup on a clean, flat surface.

    • Caution: Don’t lift the bottom case more than 10 mm.

    • Important: If you’re replacing the bottom case:

      • Keep the existing bottom case until the repair is complete.

      • Use a fine-tip permanent marker to write the computer serial number on the inside of the replacement bottom case.

      • If you’re replacing only the bottom case and no other parts, skip to reassembly step 11.

  16. Remove the gloves.

  17. Place the battery cover on the battery. Then press the holes in the battery cover onto the screws in the top case until it clicks into place.

  18. Peel up the polyester film from the battery flex connector cowling.

    • Important: Ensure that you lift the polyester film tab straight up.

  19. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to remove the two 3IP screws (923-12573) from the battery connector cowling.

  20. Remove the battery connector cowling and save it for reassembly.

  21. Lift the end of the battery flex cable off the connector.

Reassembly

  1. Position the battery flex cable alignment tool pins next to the screw holes as shown (1).

  2. Lay the tool flat as you insert the alignment pins into the screw holes (2).

  3. Press the end of the battery flex cable to the connector (3).

    • Important: Ensure that the polyester film tab is adhered onto the end of the battery flex cable.

  4. Remove the battery flex cable alignment tool.

  5. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to partially reinstall one 3IP screw (923-12573) into the right side of the battery flex cable connector.

  6. Position the battery connector cowling over the end of the battery flex cable. Slide the end of the cowling under the 3IP screw as shown (1).

  7. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to fully reinstall the 3IP screw on the right side of the battery connector cowling (2).

  8. Use the blue torque driver and 3IP bit to reinstall one 3IP screw (923-12573) into the left side of the battery connector cowling.

  9. Hold the battery cover by the edges to lift it off the top case.

  10. Rotate the computer so the display hinges are closest to you.

  11. Put on the cut-resistant gloves.

  12. Position the bottom case over the top case so that the bottom case brackets align with the two internal screws near the speakers in the top case as shown.

  13. Press on the bottom case near the left hinge while pulling the left side of the bottom case toward you. Feel the bottom case brackets hook onto the two internal screws near the speakers in the top case.

    • Caution: Don't pull the bottom case beyond the edge of the top case near the display hinge.

  14. Push down the bottom case as you slide it toward you to hook the remaining two bottom case brackets onto the two internal screws.

    • Caution: Don't pull the bottom case beyond the edge of the top case near the display hinge.

  15. Press the bottom case down until the four internal clips in the top case snap into place.

  16. Use the pentalobe screwdriver to reinstall the two pentalobe screws (1) into the rear corners of the bottom case.

    • Note: The screw color is specific to the model.

      • Midnight (923-12544)

      • Silver (923-12541)

      • Sky blue (923-12541)

      • Starlight (923-12541)

  17. Use the pentalobe screwdriver to reinstall the two pentalobe screws (2) into the front corners of the bottom case.

    • Note: The screw color is specific to the model.

      • Midnight (923-12545)

      • Silver (923-12542)

      • Sky blue (923-12542)

      • Starlight (923-12542)

Caution

  • If you replaced the logic board, the computer will start up in diagnostics mode until you complete System Configuration.

  • If you replaced the Touch ID board, it will function only as a power button until you complete System Configuration.

  • If you replaced the lid angle sensor, close the display for 20 seconds when prompted during the System Configuration process. If the display isn’t fully closed during the process, you'll need to install another new lid angle sensor.

Published Date: