MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021) Bottom Case
Before You Begin
Warning
Read Battery Safety and follow workspace and battery handling guidelines before you begin.
Tools
Battery cover
Cut-resistant gloves
ESD-safe tweezers
Microterry polishing cloth
Nylon probe (black stick)
Pentalobe screwdriver
Permanent marker
Suction cup
Torx T3 screwdriver
Torx T5 screwdriver
Removal
Place the computer on a clean, flat surface with the bottom faceup.
Use the pentalobe screwdriver to remove the four short pentalobe screws from the front of the bottom case.
Note: The screw color is specific to the model.
Silver (923-06866)
Space gray (923-06868)
Use the pentalobe screwdriver to remove the four long pentalobe screws from the rear of the bottom case.
Note: The screw color is specific to the model.
Silver (923-06867)
Space gray (923-06869)
Press the suction cup to attach it to the lower left corner of the bottom case.
Four internal clips attach the bottom case to the top case. Pull up the handle of the suction cup until you feel the two internal clips on the left release.
Squeeze the edges of the suction cup to release it.
Move the suction cup to the lower right corner and press the top to attach it to the bottom case.
Pull up the handle of the suction cup until you feel the two internal clips on the right release.
Squeeze the edges of the suction cup to release it.
Insert the flat end of the black stick into the vent/antenna module gap between the display and top case as shown (1). Then pull the black stick to disengage the spring fingers (2). Repeat the process on the other end of the gap.
Remove the bottom case and set it faceup on a clean, flat surface.
Note: If you’re replacing only the bottom case, proceed to reassembly step 8.
Important
If you’re replacing the bottom case, keep the existing bottom case until the repair is complete.
Use a permanent marker to write the computer serial number on the inside of the replacement bottom case.
Place the battery cover on the battery.
Press the black tabs on the battery cover into the clips on the top case until you feel a click.
Use the T3 screwdriver to remove the two T3 screws (923-06851) from the trackpad flex cable cowling. Remove the cowling and save it for reassembly.
Gently peel the polyester film tab off the locking lever of the battery management unit (BMU) flex cable (1). Then use the black stick to flip up the locking lever (2).
Use ESD-safe tweezers to gently grasp the end of the BMU flex cable and slide it out of the connector.
Caution: Don’t crimp the BMU flex cable.
Lift the end of the trackpad flex cable off the connector on the logic board.
Use the black stick to gently peel the BMU flex cable off the logic board and the T5 screw.
Use the black stick to gently fold back the BMU flex cable and trackpad flex cable (1).
Use the T5 screwdriver to remove the T5 screw (923-06849) (2).
Reassembly
Important
If you’re replacing the bottom case, keep the existing bottom case until the repair is complete.
Use a permanent marker to write the computer serial number on the inside of the replacement bottom case.
Use the black stick to gently fold back the BMU and trackpad flex cables (1). Then use the T5 screwdriver to reinstall the T5 screw (923-06849) (2).
Gently press along the length of the BMU flex cable to adhere it to the T5 screw and logic board.
Press the end of the trackpad flex cable to the connector on the logic board.
Use ESD-safe tweezers to slide the end of the BMU flex cable into the connector.
- Caution: Don’t crimp the BMU flex cable.
Flip down the locking lever of the BMU flex cable (1). Then press the polyester film tab to the locking lever (2).
Position the trackpad flex cable cowling over the end of the trackpad flex cable. Then use the T3 screwdriver to reinstall the two T3 screws (923-06851) into the cowling.
Hold the battery cover by the edges and lift it off the top case.
Use the microterry polishing cloth to ensure that the bottom case interior is clean and free of debris.
Position the bottom case over the top case. Align the back edge of the bottom case with the vent/antenna module. The long edge of the bottom case should be flush with the smooth plane of the vent/antenna module.
Put on the gloves. Hold the bottom case by the front corners and slowly push it away from you to align it with the display hinge and top case.
Feel the spring fingers lock as you push the bottom case.
Important: If the bottom case doesn’t align, pull it toward you to remove it. Then repeat steps 9 through 11. Then continue to step 12.
Lift the front edge of the bottom case no more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) to align the thermal fan ducts.
Press both sides of the bottom case simultaneously until you feel the two internal clips snap into place (1). Then simultaneously press the two areas in the middle (2) to attach the two remaining internal clips.
Ensure that all sides of the bottom case align with all sides of the top case. If the cases are misaligned, begin again at removal step 4.
Use the pentalobe screwdriver to reinstall the four short pentalobe screws into the front of the bottom case.
Note: Use the correct screw color for the model.
Silver (923-06866)
Space gray (923-06868)
Use the pentalobe screwdriver to reinstall the four long pentalobe screws into the rear of the bottom case.
Note: Use the correct screw color for the model.
Silver (923-06867)
Space gray (923-06869)
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, Touch ID board, or top case.
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.