Introduction
Use this guide to replace the Touch ID sensor/power button in your MacBook Air 13" 2022.
You may need to replace the Touch ID sensor/power button if it's unresponsive, inconsistent, or physically damaged.
To maintain Touch ID functionality, you must also replace your logic board with a new one that's paired to the replacement Touch ID sensor. The MacBook Air's original Touch ID sensor is uniquely paired to the logic board at the factory—and without Apple’s proprietary calibration process, even a genuine replacement logic board from another MacBook Pro won’t work.
Note: Replacing the Touch ID sensor required removing the logic board and right speaker.
What you need
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Power off your MacBook Air and unplug all cables.
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Close the display and flip the laptop upside down. Keep the lid closed until you've physically disconnected the battery.
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Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove the four 6.4 mm screws securing the lower case:
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Two screws with a short threaded portion near the hinges
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Two screws with a long threaded portion near the front of the MacBook
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Apply a suction handle to the center of the lower case's front edge.
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Pull up on the suction handle with strong, steady force to create a small gap between the lower case and the frame.
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Insert an opening pick into the gap.
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Slide the pick to the bottom right corner to release the first clip.
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Slide the pick around the corner and up the right edge to release the next two clips.
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Keep the lower case flat and firmly pull it straight away from the back edge, one corner at a time, to disengage the sliding tabs.
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Remove the lower case.
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Set the lower case in place and align the sliding tabs with the screw heads they slide over. Press down and slide the lower case toward the back edge to engage the tabs—it'll stop sliding as the tabs engage.
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Once the lower case is flush with the frame, press down firmly along the perimeter to engage the four snapping clips.
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Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the battery connector cover.
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Use an opening pick to pry up and disconnect the battery connector.
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Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 1.5 mm screws securing the trackpad cable cover.
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Use a spudger or your fingers to move the trackpad cable cover out of the way so you can access the press connector underneath.
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Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the trackpad cable press connector.
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Peel up and remove the foam pad from the lower display cable cover to reveal a hidden screw.
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Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the fourteen 1.5 mm screws securing the various cable covers.
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Use the pointed end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect both display cable press connectors.
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Remove the nine screws securing the logic board:
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Three 3.8 mm T5 Torx screws
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One 3.6 mm T5 Torx screw
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Two 3.4 mm T5 Torx screws
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One 3.1 mm T5 Torx screw
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Two 2.7 mm T3 Torx screws
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Grip the right side of the logic board and slide it towards the trackpad until it clears the overhangs near the speakers.
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Remove the logic board.
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Right speaker cable
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Trackpad cable
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Display cables and microphone array cable
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Antenna cables
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Battery cable
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Left speaker cable
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USB-C and MagSafe cables
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Step 29 Unfasten the left hinge cover
Careful: steps 29-32 are sourced from a guide that's marked as in-progress.
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Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the 2.6 mm screw securing the left hinge cover.
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Grip the left hinge cover with blunt nose tweezers.
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Pull the cover toward the bottom of the laptop and upward to free it from its recess.
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Pull up and remove the hinge cover.
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Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the three screws securing the right speaker:
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Two 5.6 mm screws
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One 3.5 mm screw
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Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the Touch ID sensor and its bracket:
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Four 2 mm screws
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Two 1.7 mm screws
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Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the 1.5 mm‑long screw securing the Touch ID sensor connector cover.
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Use a spudger to pry up and disconnect the Touch ID sensor press connector from the daughterboard.
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Use tweezers or your fingers to peel the Touch ID sensor cable from the frame.
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If your new Touch ID sensor's cable comes with adhesive, remove the plastic liner and press the cable into place on the frame.
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If the cable doesn't have adhesive, use a strip of double-sided tape such as Tesa Tape to secure it to the frame.
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Pull the Touch ID sensor away from the frame while guiding the cable through its slot.
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Remove the sensor.
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Guide the new Touch ID sensor's cable through its slot in the fame.
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Hold the cable with one hand and use your other hand to align the new sensor in its recess.
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Once the sensor is aligned, gently pull the cable away from the MacBook to secure the sensor against the frame.
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Continue holding the sensor in place by its cable and slowly close the MacBook.
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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.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions 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 check out our Answers community for help.
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.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions 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 check out our Answers community for help.
