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MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement

What you need

  1. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement, Remove the lower case screws: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following 10 screws securing the lower case to the MacBook Pro 13" Unibody:

    • Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.

    • Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

  2. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement, Lift the lower case away: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • Slightly lift the lower case and push it toward the rear of the computer to free the mounting tabs.

  3. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • For precautionary purposes, we advise that you disconnect the battery connector from the logic board to avoid any electrical discharge.

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the battery connector up out of its socket on the logic board.

  4. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement, Display: step 4, image 1 of 3 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement, Display: step 4, image 2 of 3 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement, Display: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the subwoofer/right speaker cable connector up off its socket on the logic board.

    • Be very careful to pry under the connector as shown, and not under the socket itself. Otherwise you may accidentally separate the socket from the logic board.

  5. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Disconnect the camera cable by sliding it horizontally out of its socket.

    • Pull the cable parallel to the surface of the logic board, in the direction of the optical drive. Do not pull straight up, or you will destroy the connector.

    • If you see a small plastic retainer stuck to the logic board that prevents the camera cable from sliding out, peel it up carefully from the logic board. Apply a little heat from a hair dryer or heat gun if necessary to help soften the adhesive holding it in place. Do not attempt to forcibly disconnect the cable with the retainer in place.

    • If you still have trouble, use the point of a spudger to push at each side of the connector and "walk" it slowly from its socket.

  6. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • De-route the camera data cable from the channel in the optical drive.

  7. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the following screws securing the camera data cable and right speaker to the upper case:

    • Two 8 mm Phillips screws.

    • One 4mm Phillips screw.

    • One of the 8 mm Phillips screws will likely remain captive in the camera cable ground loop.

    • Slide the camera cable bracket out from under the subwoofer and remove it from the computer.

  8. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3
    • Grab the plastic pull tab secured to the display data cable lock and rotate it toward the DC-in side of the computer.

    • Pull the display data cable connector straight away from its socket.

    • Make sure to pull the connector straight away and not straight up from its socket.

  9. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the following two screws securing the display data cable bracket to the upper case:

    • One 7 mm Phillips screw.

    • One 5 mm Phillips screw.

    • Lift the display data cable bracket out of the upper case.

  10. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2
    • Use your Torx driver to remove the two outer 6.5 mm screws securing each of the two display brackets to the upper case (4 screws total).

    • Mid 2009 models require a T6 Torx driver, while Mid 2010 models require a T8.

  11. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1
    • Open your MacBook so the display is perpendicular to the upper case.

    • Place your opened MacBook on a table as pictured.

    • While holding the display and upper case together with your left hand, use your Torx driver to remove the remaining 6.5 mm screw from the lower display bracket.

  12. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1
    • Be sure to hold the display and upper case together with your left hand. Failure to do so may cause the freed display/upper case to fall, potentially damaging each component.

    • Remove the last remaining 6 mm Torx screw securing the display to the upper case.

  13. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2
    • Grab the upper case with your right hand and rotate it slightly toward the top of the display so the upper display bracket clears the edge of the upper case.

    • Rotate the display slightly away from the upper case.

  14. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1
    • Lift the display up and away from the upper case, minding any brackets or cables that may get caught.

  15. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement, Clutch Cover: step 15, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement, Clutch Cover: step 15, image 2 of 2
    • Grab the clutch cover as shown and slide it toward the right side of the display.

    • It should move about 1/4" and stop. Don't force it beyond this point.

  16. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2
    • Gently rock the clutch cover back and forth on its long axis while pulling it away from the display.

    • Do this action along the length of the clutch cover until you can lift it off the framework attaching it to the display.

  17. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the clutch cover from the display.

  18. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement, AirPort Connectors: step 18, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement, AirPort Connectors: step 18, image 2 of 2
    • Use the tip of a spudger to pry both AirPort antenna connectors out of their sockets on the AirPort board.

    • Be careful not to break the sockets off the AirPort board.

  19. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement, AirPort Antenna: step 19, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the four 3 mm Phillips screws securing the antenna bracket to the display.

  20. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 AirPort Antenna Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the AirPort antenna from the display, minding the antenna connectors that might get caught.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

36 other people completed this guide.

3 Comments

I have replaced both the antenna and the card, and wi-fi now works! Definitely not for beginners, though. With an unknown wi-fi problem, I decided to replace both - taking the machine apart again would have severely tested my patience!

Don - Reply

By the way, Andrew, thanks for the clear instructions and the pitfall warnings. They helped a lot!

Don - Reply

How can i translate this guide to Portuguese? when i click in "options" then "translate" Portuguese is non accessible.

Wellington Gibson - Reply

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