iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021, Two ports) Display

Before You Begin

Caution

This procedure requires System Configuration. After you’ve completed all removal and reassembly steps, learn how to initiate the System Configuration process.

Important

This procedure may require replacement tape on the display backlight flex cable connector. Replacement tape is included in the display starter kit and display refill kit. It’s not a separate orderable part.

Removal

Caution: The display is attached to the housing with display adhesive strips. Each adhesive strip has one foam layer surrounded by two adhesive layers. To remove the display, use the adhesive cutter to cut the adhesive strips. When you cut the adhesive strips, you are cutting mostly through the foam layer. If a wheel is nicked, you must replace it.

Important: Center the stand support wedge and cover the power port before you begin.

1. Place the stand wedge between the stand and housing, as shown. Ensure that the wedge is centered and the power port is covered.

   • Note: If the computer has a VESA mount adapter, stand the computer upright in the display support stand.

   

2. Insert the adhesive cutter at a 90-degree angle between the display and the housing. Run the adhesive cutter across the top of the computer, avoiding the 3-inch area surrounding the camera.

   • Caution: To avoid damaging the camera and display, don’t run the adhesive cutter across the camera. Damage to the camera requires a display replacement.

   

3. Lay the computer on a flat surface with the display faceup. Run the adhesive cutter between the display and the housing on the left and right sides.

   • Note: If the computer has a VESA mount adapter, lay the computer flat on the VESA support wedge. The VESA support wedge has a square cutout to accommodate the VESA mount adapter. Position the bottom edge of the display closest to the slot in the wedge.

   

4. Run the adhesive cutter between the display and housing on the bottom edge of the computer.

   

5. Run the adhesive cutter back and forth between the display and housing around all four edges of the computer until the wheel moves with minimal resistance.

   • Caution: To avoid damaging the camera, don’t run the adhesive cutter in the 3-inch area surrounding the camera.

   

6. Insert the flat end of the black stick halfway to its notch between the display and housing. Slide the black stick up and down to cut any remaining adhesive.

   

   • Note:

     • If you feel resistance, pull the black stick out slightly. Then continue to slide it up and down while you vary the insertion depth at points of resistance.

     • If you continue to feel resistance, stop and remove the black stick. Install a new wheel in the adhesive cutter and repeat steps 1 through 5.

   • Caution

     • Don’t twist, pry, or insert the black stick past its notch. Forcing the black stick between the display and housing may crack the display.

     • To avoid damaging the camera, don’t run the adhesive cutter in the 3-inch area surrounding the camera.

7. Rotate the computer so the top edge of the display is closest to you. If fully released, the display will extend slightly over the top edge of the housing.

   • Important: This ensures that the display has disengaged from the display hangers inside the housing.

8. Hold the display by the edges and slowly lift it straight up about 1 to 2 inches.

   • Caution: Don’t strain the flex cables that are connected to the logic board and back of the display.

   

9. Insert the bottom edge of the display into the slot in the stand support wedge (1) as you slowly tilt up the top edge of the display (2).

   

10. Insert the two triangle support wedges into the housing as shown.

    

    • Note: Use the VESA support slot wedge and two triangle support wedges for models configured with a VESA mount adapter.

    

11. Peel the polyester film tape from the display backlight flex cable (1) and save it for reassembly. Pull the end of the display backlight flex cable straight down and out of the connector (2).

    

12. Flip up the locking levers of the camera and embedded DisplayPort (eDP) flex cable connectors (1). Slide both ends of the eDP flex cable out of their connectors (2).

    • Note: The camera and eDP flex cable is a single cable with three ends. The third end connects to the logic board.

    

13. Lift the display off the support wedges and set it on the display support stand.

14. Peel the display adhesive from the edges of the display.

    • Caution: To prevent damage to the polyester film on the display, don’t peel residual adhesive from the corners of the display.

    

15. Use an ethanol wipe or IPA wipe to remove any remaining display adhesive from the edges of the display. Allow the surfaces to dry for at least 1 minute.

    • Caution: Don’t use ethanol wipes or IPA wipes on the front of the display or to remove anything other than residual display adhesive.

16. Peel the display adhesive from the edges of the housing.

17. Use an ethanol wipe or IPA wipe to remove any remaining display adhesive from the edges of the housing. Allow the surfaces to dry for at least 1 minute.

    

18. Use Kapton tape to secure the camera and eDP flex cable and display backlight flex cable to the housing.

Reassembly

Caution: The bottom adhesive strip is model specific. Ensure that you have the correct bottom adhesive strip for the model you’re repairing.

1. Place the display adhesive strips on a flat surface and check them for damage and wrinkles.

   

   • 946-25206 (1)

   • 946-25207 (2)

   • 946-25208 (3)

   • 946-19175 (4)

   • Caution: Damaged strips can cause cosmetic gaps and light leakage. They can also weaken the bond between the display and the housing. If the adhesive strips are damaged or wrinkled, replace them.

   • Note: The display adhesive strips have two layers of adhesive with a foam layer between them. There is a paper release liner on the underside and a plastic release liner on the top side. The colors of the release liners may vary.

   

2. Lay the housing flat as shown. Peel off a short section of the paper release liner from one display adhesive strip.

   • Note: If the computer has a VESA mount adapter, lay the computer flat on the VESA support wedge.

   • Important: Don’t remove the plastic release liners on the display adhesive strips yet.

   

3. Align the display adhesive strip with the corresponding edge of the housing and press the exposed adhesive onto the housing.

4. As you continue to align the display adhesive strip, peel off sections of the paper release liner and press the adhesive to the edge of the housing until the entire strip adheres.

5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 to install the remaining display adhesive strips. Then continue to step 6.

6. Inspect the alignment of the display adhesive strips. Ensure that there are no wrinkles or air pockets.

7. Rotate the housing so the top edge is closest to you. Position the support wedges in the housing as shown.

8. Peel the Kapton tape from the camera and eDP flex cable and display backlight flex cable.

   

9. Insert the bottom edge of the display into the slot in the stand support wedge. Rest the display on the triangle support wedges.

   

10. Slide the two ends of the eDP and camera flex cable into the connectors (1) on the back of the display. Then flip down the locking levers (2).

    

11. Slide the end of the display backlight flex cable into the connector on the back of the display (1).

12. Adhere the tape onto the display backlight flex cable connector (2).

    • Important: If the tape was damaged during removal, discard it and use replacement tape.

    

13. Slightly lift the top edge of the display. Remove the two triangle support wedges from the housing.

    

14. Slowly pull the display out of the slot in the stand support wedge (1). Then lower the top edge of the display toward the housing (2).

    • Caution: Don’t strain the flex cables as you move the display.

    

15. Position the display flat on the housing. The top edge of the display should hang just over the top edge of the housing.

    

16. Apply two strips of painters tape to the bottom of the computer to temporarily secure the display to the housing.

    

17. Hold the display flush against the housing as you carefully stand up the computer. The display will shift slightly as it hooks onto the display hangers and aligns with the edges of the housing.

    • Note: If your computer has a VESA mount adapter, stand the computer upright in the display support stand.

    • Caution: The display is only partially held in place by the display hangers in the housing. Hold the display flush against the housing to ensure that the display doesn’t fall off the display hangers.

    

18. Ensure that the display and housing are aligned on all four sides. Then carefully adjust the two strips of painters tape so they fit snugly over the bottom of the computer.

19. Separate the display just enough to remove the release liners from the four display adhesive strips on the top half of the computer.

    • Caution: If the display separates too much from the housing, the display will unhook from the display hangers and may fall off the housing.

    

20. Press the top of the display to adhere it to the display adhesive strips on the housing.

    

21. Apply two strips of painters tape to the top of the computer to temporarily secure the display to the housing.

    

22. Remove the two strips of painters tape from the bottom of the computer.

    

23. Separate the display from the housing just enough to remove the release liners from the four display adhesive strips on the bottom half of the computer. Start near the middle and peel the release liners toward the bottom corners of the computer in the order shown.

    • Note: If the computer has a VESA mount adapter, lay the computer flat on the VESA support wedge.

    • Caution: If the display separates too much from the housing, the display will unhook from the display hangers and may fall off the housing.

    

24. Press the bottom of the display to adhere it to the display adhesive strips on the housing.

    

25. Ensure that the four edges of the display and housing are aligned. If they aren’t aligned, repeat the removal and reassembly steps.

    

26. Remove the two strips of painters tape from the top of the computer.

    

27. Remove the liner from the sticky sheet pad. Roll the silicone roller back and forth on the sticky sheet pad to clean it.

    

28. Roll the silicone roller back and forth along all four edges of the display to adhere the display adhesive strips.

    • Note: If the computer has a VESA mount adapter, stand the computer upright in the display support stand.

    

29. Clean the display with the polishing cloth.

    

30. Remove the stand wedge.

    

Caution

• After you’ve completed all removal and reassembly steps, learn how to initiate the System Configuration process.

• System Configuration is required if you’ve installed a replacement display or logic board.

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

• If you replaced the display, the display’s brightness and True Tone may not function properly until you complete System Configuration.