MacBook Pro 13" Four Thunderbolt Ports 2020 Lower Case Replacement

Introduction

Removing the lower cover is the starting point for all repairs.

For your safety, drain your MacBook Pro's battery below 25% before you begin this procedure.

Some photos in this guide are from a different model and may contain slight visual discrepancies, but they won't affect the guide procedure.

What you need

Step 1 Remove the pentalobe screws

MacBook Pro 13" Four Thunderbolt Ports 2020 Lower Case Replacement, Remove the pentalobe screws: step 1, image 1 of 1

Tool used on this step:

Magnetic Project Mat

$19.99

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 before you start. Close the display and flip the entire laptop upside-down.
Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove the six screws securing the lower case:
Two 6.7 mm screws
Four 3.4 mm screws
Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your device.

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Step 2 Open a gap using a suction cup

MacBook Pro 13" Four Thunderbolt Ports 2020 Lower Case Replacement, Open a gap using a suction cup: step 2, image 1 of 2

MacBook Pro 13" Four Thunderbolt Ports 2020 Lower Case Replacement, Open a gap using a suction cup: step 2, image 2 of 2

Apply a suction handle to the lower case near the front-center area of the MacBook Pro.
Lift the suction handle to create a slight gap between the lower case and the chassis.

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Step 3 Separate the clips

MacBook Pro 13" Four Thunderbolt Ports 2020 Lower Case Replacement, Separate the clips: step 3, image 1 of 3

MacBook Pro 13" Four Thunderbolt Ports 2020 Lower Case Replacement, Separate the clips: step 3, image 2 of 3

MacBook Pro 13" Four Thunderbolt Ports 2020 Lower Case Replacement, Separate the clips: step 3, image 3 of 3

Insert one corner of an opening pick into the space between the lower case and the chassis.
Slide the opening pick around the nearest corner and halfway up the side of the case.
This releases the first of the hidden clips securing the lower case to the chassis. You should feel and hear the clip pop free.

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Step 4

MacBook Pro 13" Four Thunderbolt Ports 2020 Lower Case Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3

Repeat the previous step on the opposite side, sliding your opening pick under the lower case and up the side to pop the second clip free.

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Step 5

MacBook Pro 13" Four Thunderbolt Ports 2020 Lower Case Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

Insert your opening pick once again under the front edge of the lower case, near one of the two centermost screw holes.
Give the pick a firm twist to pop free the third clip securing the lower case to the chassis.
Repeat this procedure near the other of the two centermost screw holes, popping the fourth clip free.

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Step 6

MacBook Pro 13" Four Thunderbolt Ports 2020 Lower Case Replacement: step 6, image 3 of 3

Pull the lower case firmly towards the front of the MacBook (away from the hinge area) to separate the last of the clips securing the lower case.
Pull first at one corner, then the other.
Pull to the side—not up.
This can require a lot of force.

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Step 7 Remove the lower case

MacBook Pro 13" Four Thunderbolt Ports 2020 Lower Case Replacement, Remove the lower case: step 7, image 1 of 3

MacBook Pro 13" Four Thunderbolt Ports 2020 Lower Case Replacement, Remove the lower case: step 7, image 2 of 3

MacBook Pro 13" Four Thunderbolt Ports 2020 Lower Case Replacement, Remove the lower case: step 7, image 3 of 3

Remove the lower case.
To reinstall the lower case:
Set it in place and align the sliding clips near the display hinge. Press down and slide the cover toward the hinge. It should stop sliding as the clips engage.
When the sliding clips are fully engaged and the lower case looks correctly aligned, press down firmly on the lower case to engage the four hidden clips underneath. You should feel and hear them snap into place.

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Conclusion

Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before installing.

To reassemble your device, follow the above steps in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting or search our Answers community for help.

2 other people completed this guide.