MacBook Air (M2, 2022) Bottom Case
Before You Begin
Warning
Read Battery Safety and follow workspace and battery handling guidelines before you begin.
Tools
Battery flex cable alignment tool
Battery cover
Cut-resistant gloves
Nylon probe (black stick) (2)
Pentalobe screwdriver
Suction cup
Torque driver (blue, 0.65 kgf cm)
Torx T3 half-moon bit
Removal
Place the computer on a clean, flat surface with the bottom faceup.
Use the pentalobe screwdriver to remove the two pentalobe screws (1) from the rear corners of the bottom case.
Note: The screw color is specific to your model.
Midnight (923-07544)
Silver (923-07262)
Space gray (923-07261)
Starlight (923-07262)
Use the pentalobe screwdriver to remove the two pentalobe screws (2) from the front corners of the bottom case.
Note: The screw color is specific to your model.
Midnight (923-07543)
Silver (923-07542)
Space gray (923-07260)
Starlight (923-07542)
Note the location of the four internal clips that attach the bottom case to the top case.
Align the right edge of the suction cup with the left edge of the groove in the top case as shown. Then press the suction cup to attach it near the front edge of the bottom case.
Pull up the handle of the suction cup until you feel the internal clip on the front edge release.
Squeeze the edges of the suction cup to release it.
Align the left edge of the suction cup with the right edge of the groove in the top case. Then press the suction cup to attach it near the front edge of the bottom case.
Pull up the handle of the suction cup until you feel the internal clip on the front edge release. Then squeeze the edges of the suction cup to release it.
Press the suction cup to attach it to the left side of the bottom case.
Pull up the handle of the suction cup until you feel the internal clip on the left release. Then squeeze the edges of the suction cup to release it.
Press the suction cup to attach it to the right side of the bottom case.
Pull up the handle of the suction cup until you feel the internal clip on the right release. Then squeeze the edges of the suction cup to release it.
Put on the cut-resistant gloves.
Slightly lift the bottom case to create a narrow opening between the bottom case and top case on the side facing you. Then pull the bottom case to remove it from the top case. Set the bottom case faceup on a clean, flat surface.
Caution: Don’t lift the bottom case more than 10 mm.Important: If you’re replacing the bottom case:
Keep the existing bottom case until the repair is complete.
Use a fine-tip permanent marker to write the computer serial number on the inside of the replacement bottom case.
If you’re replacing only the bottom case and no other parts, skip to reassembly step 7.
Take off the gloves.
Place the battery cover on the battery. Then press the black tabs into the clips on the top case until you feel a click.
Insert the Torx T3 bit into the blue torque driver. Then use the blue torque driver and Torx T3 bit to remove the two T3 screws (923-07277) from the battery connector cowling.
Remove the battery connector cowling and save it for reassembly.
Use ESD-safe tweezers to peel the polyester film tab from the end of the battery flex cable.
Grasp the polyester film tab and lift the end of the battery flex cable off the connector.
Reassembly
Position the battery flex cable alignment tool pins next to the screw holes as shown (1).
Lower the battery flex cable alignment tool onto the heat sink as shown (2).
Press the end of the battery flex cable to the connector (3).
Note: Ensure that the polyester film tab is adhered onto the end of the battery flex cable.
Remove the battery flex cable alignment tool.
Position the battery connector cowling over the end of the battery flex cable.
Insert the Torx T3 bit into the blue torque driver. Then use the blue torque driver and Torx T3 bit to reinstall the two T3 screws (923-07277) into the battery connector cowling.
Rotate the computer so the display hinges are closest to you.
Put on the cut-resistant gloves.
Position the bottom case over the top case to align the screw holes near the display hinge cover (1). Push down the bottom case as you slide it toward you to hook two bottom case brackets onto two internal screws as shown (2).
Important: Ensure that the bottom case hovers approximately 10 mm above the top case to minimize scratching (3).
Use the pentalobe screwdriver to partially reinstall the pentalobe screw into the rear corner of the bottom case.
Note: Use the correct screw color for your model.
Midnight (923-07544)
Silver (923-07262)
Space gray (923-07261)
Starlight (923-07262)
Push down the bottom case as you slide it toward you to hook the remaining two bottom case brackets onto the two internal screws.
Press the bottom case down to engage the four internal clips in the top case.
Use the pentalobe screwdriver to partially reinstall the remaining three pentalobe screws into the bottom case in the order shown.
Note: Use the correct screw color for your model.
Midnight (923-07544)
Silver (923-07262)
Space gray (923-07261)
Starlight (923-07262)
Use the pentalobe screwdriver to fully reinstall the four pentalobe screws into the bottom case.
Caution
After you’ve completed all removal and reassembly steps, learn how to initiate the System Configuration process.
System Configuration is required if you’ve installed a replacement display, lid angle sensor, logic board, speakers, or Touch ID board.
If you replaced the logic board, the computer will start up in diagnostics mode until you complete System Configuration.
If you replaced the Touch ID board, it will function only as a power button until you complete System Configuration.
If you replaced the lid angle sensor, close the display for 20 seconds when prompted during the System Configuration process. If the display isn’t fully closed during the process, you'll need to install another new lid angle sensor.