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MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement

Introduction

In this guide, you will be able to replace a damaged keyboard on your MacBook with a new keyboard or a backlit one.

What you need

  1. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Initial Preparations: step 1, image 1 of 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Initial Preparations: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Let's Start:

    • Shut down the Mac and lay it upside-down.

    • Press the little lever to raise the access door.

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  2. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Access Door: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the access door off the MacBook.

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  3. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the battery straight out of the MacBook using the plastic tab connected to the battery.

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  4. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Lower Case: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the eight screws located on the bottom of the MacBook.

    • One 3 mm Phillips screw

    • Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws

    • Four 3.5 mm Phillips screws

    • The four 3.5 mm Phillips screws strip extremely easily. Use caution.

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  5. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the lower case straight from the MacBook.

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  6. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Mid Wall: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the four 10.3 mm Phillips screws that hold the mid wall.

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  7. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the mid wall.

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  8. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Fan: step 8, image 1 of 3 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Fan: step 8, image 2 of 3 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Fan: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Use the spudger to pry the fan connector straight from the logic board.

    • It is useful to twist the spudger axially from beneath the fan cable wires to release the connector.

    • The fan socket and the fan connector can be seen in the second and third pictures. Be careful not to break the plastic fan socket off the logic board as you use your spudger to lift the fan connector straight up and out of its socket. This might look slightly different on your MacBook.

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  9. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the three screws holding the fan in place.

    • Two 5 mm Phillips screws

    • One 7 mm Phillips screw

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  10. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the fan straight out from the logic board.

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  11. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Battery Cable Cover: step 11, image 1 of 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Battery Cable Cover: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the Phillips screw securing the battery cable cover.

    • Lift the cover straight from the upper-case.

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  12. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Battery Level Indicator: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • Use the spudger to pry the battery level indicator straight from the logic board.

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  13. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Battery Cable: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the battery cable away from the logic board.

    • This is a little tricky. If you cannot disconnect it, you can use tweezers and the spudger to help.

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  15. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 14, image 1 of 3 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 14, image 2 of 3 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Keyboard: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • Use the tip of the spudger to lift the keyboard cable retaining flap.

    • Pull the cable away from its socket to disconnect it. Make sure you lift the retaining flap before pulling the cable or you could damage it.

    • Disconnect the cable on the right if your Mac has this. This cable is the backlight on the keyboard. Remove it in a similar way as above.

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  16. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of the spudger to pry the trackpad cable straight from the logic board.

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  17. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the two 5mm Phillips screws securing the keyboard flex bracket to the upper case.

    • Lift it straight from the upper-case.

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  18. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 17, image 2 of 2

    • Use the tip of the spudger to lift the IR and sleep sensor retaining flap.

    • Pull the ribbon cable away from the logic board.

    • The retaining flap and the ribbon cable are both extremely sensitive, use caution when disconnecting.

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  19. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of the spudger to pry the hard drive cable straight from the logic board.

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  20. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 19, image 1 of 1

    • Now, pry the optical drive cable straight from the logic board using the spudger.

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  21. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the display data cable by pulling it away from the logic board.

    • You can use tweezers if you need.

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  22. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of the spudger to pry the subwoofer cable straight from the logic board.

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  23. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two Phillips screws securing the subwoofer.

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  24. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 1

    • De-route the Display Data Cable from the subwoofer.

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  25. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the subwoofer out of the upper-case. The right speaker is still connected, so do not pull it out completely.

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  26. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 25, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the two Phillips screws securing the optical drive bracket.

    • Be careful with the screw on the left, it is connected to the display data cable itself.

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  27. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Optical Drive: step 26, image 1 of 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement, Optical Drive: step 26, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the three screws securing the optical drive.

    • Pull the Optical Drive out of the upper-case.

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  28. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 27, image 1 of 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 27, image 2 of 2

    • Your MacBook may not have this.

    • Remove the two 4 mm Phillips screws securing this bracket.

    • Lift it out of the upper-case.

    Edit

  29. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 28, image 1 of 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 28, image 2 of 2

    • Use the plastic tab on the the display cable and rotate it towards the DC-in part of the Mac.

    • Pull it away from the logic board.

    • If this cable is not pulled straight from the logic board, it might brake. Use caution.

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  30. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 29, image 1 of 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 29, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the four Phillips screws as located in the picture.

    • One 7mm Phillips screw

    • One 5mm Phillips screw

    • Two 7 mm Phillips screws

    • These screws secure the DC-in board.

    • Remove the bracket securing the display cable.

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  31. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 30, image 1 of 1

    • Use the tip of the spudger to lift the microphone from the upper-case.

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  32. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 31, image 1 of 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 31, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the screws securing the logic board.

    • Four 3mm Phillips screws

    • One 3.5mm Phillips screw

    • The DC-in board screws should already be removed at this point.

    • Lift the logic board out of the case as show in the picture.

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  33. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 32, image 1 of 1

    • Alright guys, we are almost done. Your MacBook will probably look something like this.

    • If it does look slightly different, do not worry, you should have all of the necessary parts removed now.

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  34. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 33, image 1 of 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 33, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the two screws holding the keyboard bracket.

    • Lift the bracket out of the upper-case.

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  35. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 34, image 1 of 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 34, image 2 of 2

    • Before you do this, BE EXTRA CAREFUL!

    • There is a very thin piece of plastic glued to the keyboard. Start at the edge and slowly lift it from the upper-case as shown in the image.

    • If it tares a little, you will not damage anything too major. But try your best not to let it tare.

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  36. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 35, image 1 of 1

    • There is a hard, transparent piece of plastic on the keyboard; lift that straight out of the upper-case.

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  37. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 36, image 1 of 2 MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 36, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the two tiny screws securing the power button.

    • Lift it from of the upper-case.

    • The power button is still connected to the keyboard, don't pull it out completely.

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  38. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 37, image 1 of 1

    • Now the very long and slightly annoying part. There are about 65 Phillips screws securing the keyboard. Yes, you have to remove all of them. Good luck!

    • There might be more than 65 screws on your MacBook. Do not worry if this number is different.

    • I recommend you counting all of your screws while unscrewing them. You'll keep better track of them like that.

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  39. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 Keyboard Replacement: step 38, image 1 of 1

    • After you have removed the screws, lift the keyboard out of the upper-case. The power button will come with the keyboard.

    • The keys will not fall out, they are all connected to the metal base of the keyboard.

    • Do not bend the keyboard, bad things will happen like that!

    Edit
Conclusion

Almost done! Insert the new keyboard in your MacBook and follow these steps in reverse order to put your MacBook back together.

One other person completed this guide.

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lyonmissions

Member since: 03/29/13

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