Introduction
Use this guide to replace the screen in your MacBook Pro 14" 2021.
WARNING: While you can physically replace the screen by following this guide, replacement screens are known to display visual artifacts. Currently, the only available fix is Apple's System Configuration tool (which is only available through Apple when purchasing a genuine replacement screen). Alternatively, two soldered chips can be transferred between the screen controller boards.
For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your MacBook. This reduces the risk of fire if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.
Note: Replacing your screen disables True Tone functionality.
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
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Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove eight screws securing the lower case:
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Four 9.3 mm screws
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Four 5 mm screws
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Press a suction handle into place near the front edge of the lower case, between the screw holes.
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Pull up on the suction handle to create a small gap under the lower case.
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Insert an opening pick into the gap you just created.
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Slide the opening pick around the nearest corner and then halfway up the side of the MacBook Pro.
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Repeat the previous step on the other side, using an opening pick to to release the second clip.
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Remove the lower case.
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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.
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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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Peel back any tape covering the battery board data cable connector on the logic board.
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Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the battery board data cable.
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Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 2.1 mm‑long screws securing the trackpad cable bracket to the logic board.
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Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the trackpad cable bracket.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the trackpad cable's press connector secured to the logic board.
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Peel the trackpad cable away from the device, making sure to separate the adhesive.
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Peel back any tape covering the battery board data cable connector under the large pancake screw.
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Slide blunt nose tweezers under areas with adhesive to separate the cable from the device.
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Remove the battery board data cable.
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Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 3.8 mm pancake screw securing the battery power connector.
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Use a spudger to lift the battery power connector, disconnecting the battery.
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Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the three 2.1 mm screws securing the antenna board bracket and coaxial cable cover to the frame.
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Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the antenna bar's coaxial cable.
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Repeat for the two other cables.
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Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the antenna bar to the frame:
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Two 7.5 mm screws
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Four 3.2 mm screws
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Use a P2 Pentalobe driver to remove the nine 1.5 mm screws securing the antenna bar to the frame.
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Insert the tip of a spudger between the antenna bar and the frame.
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Pry up with the spudger to separate the antenna bar from the frame.
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Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the four 2.1 mm screws securing the display cable covers.
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Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the two display cable covers from the logic board.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the two right-most display cable press connectors secured to the logic board.
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Pull up on the back of the display cable bracket to release the clips securing it to the frame.
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Remove the display cable bracket.
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Repeat for the other display cable bracket.
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Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 2.1 mm screws securing the lid angle sensor cover near the right hinge.
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Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the lid angle sensor cover.
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Use the flat of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the lid angle sensor's press connector.
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Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the four 2.5 mm screws securing the hinge covers (two screws on each side).
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Use tweezers to pull the hinge covers horizontally away from the hinge to separate it from the frame.
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Remove the hinge covers.
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Use a T8 Torx driver to remove two 5.2 mm screws from each hinge (four screws total).
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If you plan to re-use your screen, open it and apply a piece of tape to the glass directly above each hinge. This helps protect the glass from getting scratched in the following step.
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Fully open the screen and stand your MacBook Pro up on one side.
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Use a T8 Torx driver to remove the two remaining 5.2 mm screws (one from each hinge).
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Remove the topmost screw last, using one hand to steady both halves of the MacBook Pro to make sure they don't separate and fall over unexpectedly.
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Push both halves of the MacBook Pro together so that the hinges can be lifted clear of their recesses in the chassis.
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Push the main body of the MacBook Pro away from you while pulling the screen toward you to separate it.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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 you install it.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our MacBook Pro 14" 2021 Answers community for help.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
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 you install it.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our MacBook Pro 14" 2021 Answers community for help.
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11 Comments
Hi Ryan.
We actually sell the screen, a.ka. "display assembly" here. I apologize that the part wasn't linked in the parts section at the top of the page. I will update that for future repairers.
Did you completely remove the hinge? Just wondering since I may do a hinge replacement in the future.
Hi Jacko.
We don't completely remove the hinge with this guide, as it's already attached to the replacement screen.
