iFixit

Use the sharp end of a spudger to de-route the microphone cable from the hard drive bracket.

Remove the cosmetic screw cover from the adhesive securing it to the hard drive bracket.

Remove the four Phillips screws securing the hard drive assembly to the upper case.

Lift the hard drive assembly out of the upper case.

Use your thumbs to push the hard drive away from its bracket.

Peel the rubber shock isolator off the perimeter of the hard drive.

If present, remove the small piece of black tape covering the ribbon cable connector.

The two different versions of MacBook Air have different hard drive connectors. Failure to perform the action appropriate to your machine will damage your hard drive! Be very careful when disconnecting the hard drive cable. The ZIF connectors are fragile.

If you have the original MacBook Air (A1237), use a spudger or your thumbs to flip up the ribbon cable retaining flap TOWARD the cable (seen in picture 1).

If you have the A1304 version of MacBook Air, use a spudger or your thumbs to flip up the ribbon cable retaining flap AWAY from the cable (seen in picture 2).

Pull the hard drive cable straight away from its socket.

If you are installing a new hard drive, we have an OS X install guide to get you up and running.

If you need to, transfer the foam from your current hard drive to the new one. The foam does come off by using a spudger and some patience.

The two primary options for reading CDs and DVDs on a MacBook Air are to either purchase an external SuperDrive or to use an Apple feature called Remote Disc. Remote Disc allows the optical drive of a nearby Mac to be borrowed for use in mounting discs on the MacBook Air.