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MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 AirPort Board Replacement

What you need

  1. MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 AirPort Board Replacement, Lower Case: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following P5 pentalobe screws securing the lower case to the MacBook Pro:

    • Eight 3.0 mm

    • Two 2.3 mm

  2. MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 AirPort Board Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • Lifting from the edge nearest the clutch cover, lift the lower case off the MacBook Pro.

    • Set the lower case aside.

  3. MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 AirPort Board Replacement, Battery Connector: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • Peel back the warning label covering the battery connector.

  4. MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 AirPort Board Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 AirPort Board Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2
    • Using the flat end of a spudger, gently pry the battery connector straight up out of its socket on the logic board.

    • Bend the battery cables back and out of the way, ensuring that the battery connector doesn't accidentally make contact with the logic board.

  5. MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 AirPort Board Replacement, AirPort Board: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • Use the tip of a spudger to detach the three antenna connectors up from their sockets on the AirPort board.

  6. MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 AirPort Board Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 AirPort Board Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the single 2.9 mm T5 Torx screw securing the AirPort board to the logic board.

    • Grasp the edges of the board and slide it out from its connector.

    • Lift and remove the AirPort board.

Conclusion

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

32 other people completed this guide.

Jake Devincenzi

Member since: 04/18/11

117,207 Reputation

57 Guides authored

12 Comments

Is the new AirPort AC card for the 2013 MacBook Pro Retina interchangeable? In other words, can I now upgrade to the new AirPort?

rbouch8828 - Reply

Yes, it works. I just bought an AirPort AC board from the late 2013 RMBP and installed in my mid 2012 model, and it works perfectly. Highly recommended upgrade.

Frederico - Reply

Frederico, can you please share which part number you used to upgrade?

Thank you,

Jose

estradajoe -

Frederico, what was the part number for the ac card you bought and used. I'm interested in getting one as well.

Buggy - Reply

Anyone has an idea, what size the card actually has? Is it a full-size or half-size mini-pci-e? Looks like full-size. I am only running linux on my macbook and the broadcom drivers are really bad, so I would like to change it and I only find official airport boards on the internet.

Victor Brekenfeld - Reply

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