MacBook Air 13" Retina Display 2019 Touch ID Sensor Replacement

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Sep 17, 2020 - 12:38:03

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Introduction

Use this guide to replace the Touch ID sensor in a 2019 MacBook Air.

Note that Touch ID will not function after replacing the Touch ID sensor. The MacBook’s original Touch ID sensor is uniquely paired to the T2 chip on the logic board at the factory—and without Apple’s proprietary calibration process, even a genuine replacement Touch ID sensor from another MacBook Air won’t work.

If you replace the Touch ID sensor, you must install a paired logic board to retain Touch ID functionality.

What you need

Step 1 Remove the screws securing the lower case

MacBook Air 13" Retina Display 2019 Touch ID Sensor Replacement, Remove the screws securing the lower case: step 1, image 1 of 1

Before starting this procedure, you should disable your Mac's Auto Boot feature. Auto Boot powers on your Mac when you open the lid, and may be accidentally triggered during disassembly. Use this guide to disable Auto Boot.
If your MacBook is running Big Sur v11.1 or later, disabling Auto Boot may not work. You can proceed normally, but make sure to disconnect the battery as soon as you're inside.
Completely power off and unplug your MacBook Air before you start. Close the display and flip the entire laptop upside-down.
Use a P5 driver to remove the following screws:
Two 7.9 mm screws
Two 7.1 mm screws
Six 2.6 mm screws

Step 2 Remove the lower case

MacBook Air 13" Retina Display 2019 Touch ID Sensor Replacement, Remove the lower case: step 2, image 1 of 1

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.
After reassembly, your MacBook might not turn on until it's connected to a power source (a low power phone charger may work). To test your repair, plug in your charger, allow two minutes for your MacBook to turn on, and check that everything works as expected.