Installing MacBook Air 11" Mid 2012 Solid-State Drive

Replace the solid state hard drive on your Mid 2012 MacBook Air 11".

Use this guide to replace a burned-out solid state hard drive.

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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Lower Case  ¶ 

  • Before proceeding, shut down and close your computer. Lay it on a soft surface top-side down.

  • Remove the following ten screws:

    • Two 8 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws

    • Eight 2.5 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws

  • The special screwdriver needed to remove the 5-point Pentalobe screws can be found here.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop the lower case off the Air.

  • Remove the lower case and set it aside.

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Add Note Edit Step 3 — Battery  ¶ 

  • In this step you will disconnect the battery to help avoid shorting out any components during service.

  • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both short sides of the battery connector upward to disconnect it from its socket on the logic board.

  • Bend the battery cable slightly away from the logic board so the connector will not accidentally contact its socket.

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Add Note Edit Step 4 — Solid-State Drive  ¶ 

  • Remove the single 2.9 mm T5 Torx screw securing the SSD to the logic board.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Use a spudger to help lift the free end of the SSD just enough to grab it with your other hand.

  • Do not lift the end of the SSD excessively.

  • Pull the drive straight out of its socket and remove it from the logic board.

  • When reinstalling the SSD, be sure it is properly seated before reinstalling its retaining screw.

Required Tools

Spudger

$2.95 · 50+ In stock

T5 Torx Screwdriver

$6.95 · 50+ In stock

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