MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2009 Trackpad Replacement

Written By: Andrew Bookholt
  • Comments: 59
MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2009 Trackpad Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

11

Time Required

15 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a broken trackpad.

  1. dOyroxuUBfNu1T4K

    • Remove the following 10 screws securing the lower case to the MacBook Pro 13" Unibody:

    • Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.

    • Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

    Compare the short screws carefully before reinstalling them. The shouldered screws go in the holes on the front edge.

    David Kilbridge -

    Before I started removing any screws I took a piece of paper and drew the bottom of the laptop and put a piece of double-sided tape in the spot where each screw goes. That way when I took out the screws, I could put them on the tape so I knew exactly which screw went in which spot. I did the same thing for dismantling the inside on another sheet of paper, then a third sheet for the screen after getting the front glass off.

    mastover -

    I use a similar technique: I print out the iFixit manual for the job, and Scotch-tape down the screws/brackets/cables I remove at each step next to the component descriptions. That way, when I'm reassembling, the bits are taped right next to the photo of where they came from.

    adlerpe -

    That's exactly what I do for all my repairs! It's the best way to keep track of all of the parts ' original location and to make sure that you don't miss any parts during reassembly.

    joyitsjennie -

    Great idea and one I use often

    Thomas Overstreet -

    Excellent idea! Thanks for sharing it here.

    Laura Sharkey -

    I used a 00 that fit but the screws were very tight so I used a tiny paintbrush with some wd40 on it and put it around the edges of the screws. Worked like a charm

    valentinedhdh -

    I use a magnetic mat and place the screws in order on that :)

    Cary B -

  2. bLtKOLyJdyAxkZaG

    • Slightly lift the lower case and push it toward the rear of the computer to free the mounting tabs.

    In the introduction you should link fixers to this excellent doc: https://www.ifixit.com/Misc/HD_Software_...

    It is really critical, super easy, and free(!) to clone your existing drive onto the new one you will install. I ran into one error, but SuperDuper! support replied immediately on how to fix it...Thanks ifixit and SuperDuper! (I ponied up the $28 for the software anyway, I was so impressed!)

    Mike -

    Long story short: I drank the AppleKoolAid back in 1984 and have always left the guts of my machines up to Apple - until recently when I needed to swap the SATAs from my original MacDaddy (2009 13" MBPro that I killed in 2018 - coffee + blackout = OOOOPS) into a pristine 2009 MBPro from a Goodwill in North Carolina through eBay. I need the files from iCal and MacMail that can't be opened in my newer machines.

    Well . . . I ain't never done nuttin' like that, before!

    Enter Luke Miani on YouTube. He raves about you guys! So, I watched everything I could, read your site, bought the right tools and at the ripe old age of 72, I sat down, this morning and did the work. Now my original MacDaddy lives in MacDaddy2.0.

    Am I allowed to cry?

    Seriously, I can't thank you enough for your bitchen site and killer tools. I wish I'd'a been turned on to this shizzle 30+ years ago.

    IFIXIT - IDIGIT!

    kath myers -

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

    That was a brilliant read.

    Yes, I came across ifixit a few years ago. Totally helped me out on several occasions.

    Glad your Mac repair journey worked out.

    :)

    Cary B -

  3. 6MSUYFmPK6UkdPye

    • Remove the following tri-point screws securing the battery to the upper case:

    • One 5.5 mm tri-point screw.

    • One 13.5 mm tri-point screw.

    Mine does not have triwing screws.... They have 5 points but none of my torx stuff works? What is it? I have one of your sets of 20 or so pieces and nothing works.....

    Chris Babcock -

    pentalobe. its an apple specific driver to keep you out. The bottoms of the airs use this as well. You can fid one on eBay

    ryan rochford -

    Where in the world can I find a tri-point screw bit?

    Mason Darien -

  4. 2K2I1YfoddnJ6CB6

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the battery connector up out of its socket on the logic board.

    use two spudgers, one of each side of the connector.

    Sebastien CHAPUIS -

    I was able to use 1 spudger. Just wiggled a little on each of the 3 free sides of the connector, and kept going around until the connector freed up.

    Brian -

    I used the nails of thumb and pointer finger simultaneously - worked pretty fine

    Reinhard Kaune -

  5. AEUngsmClNpfeLqI

    • Lift the battery out of the upper case.

    • If you're installing a new battery, you should calibrate it after installation:

    • Charge it to 100%, and then keep charging it for at least 2 more hours. Next, unplug and use it normally to drain the battery. When you see the low battery warning, save your work, and keep your laptop on until it goes to sleep due to low battery. Wait at least 5 hours, then charge your laptop uninterrupted to 100%.

    • If you notice any unusual behavior or problems after installing your new battery, you may need to reset your MacBook's SMC.

    Did everything correctly, but now the battery doesn't charge. Do I have to do something in particular to make it work now that's installed? Thanks

    Olivier -

    I am answering a 2 year old post but this is for those who may have the same or similar issue in the future.

    When I was putting the battery connector back on that it didn't sit flat against the board before I put pressure on the top of the connecter to press it back into its socket. I then took time to examine the battery connector socket and saw it consisted of long thin vertical pins. I deduced that if the battery connector was not aligned correctly to the pins on the motherboard then it may be very easy to bend one or more of the pins in a way that they wouldn't mate up with the opposing female part on the connector. That sure would cause a battery charging issue. If you feel too much resistance when pressing the connector back into the socket then stop and make sure it is all aligned correctly. I know, not easy with the size, the black connector and black socket. A spudger can be used on the battery side of the connector to raise it to a level position prior to applying pressure to the top of it.

    Joseph King -

    I too encountered the same problem. After resetting the SMC (http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295), it resolved the problem.

    2CentsNoneTheRicher -

    I put the battery in ok, then placed it on charge and tried to start it. It didn't like this at all, letting out evenly spaced unfamiliar beeps. I felt sure i had done something terrible. I held down the start button and turned it off. Half an hour later I turned it back on, upon which it sprung back to life, much to my relief. The battery needed to be charged before starting it seems.

    Guy Wishart -

    Yes, you should charge your battery before using.

    Cary B -

  6. ECPvZBslmXdfVx4A

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to carefully pry the trackpad connector up from its socket on the logic board.

  7. BKbVYeNj2LT1dM2L

    • Open your MacBook Pro and set it on a table as shown.

  8. fQOaRKtLVVUVSUBU

    • While holding the edge of the trackpad closest to the logic board with one hand, remove the four 1.2 mm Phillips screws highlighted in red.

    A word of caution if you are replacing your trackpad due to a bulging battery. This guide assumes that the original mounting tabs are not damaged and it does not look like the iFixit trackpad replacement kit comes with new tabs. My MBP had a bulging battery, which pushed up on the bottom of my trackpad, deforming one of these tabs. Now that I have removed the battery, the trackpad still works, but it is not flush with the case and the physical clicks are not as responsive as I would like. Does iFixit sell just the replacement tabs?

    Matt Marchese -

    Same here luckily the trackpad still works but the taps have deformed. Anyone find a place to pick up just those tabs? Edit: found them MacBook Pro Unibody (Mid 2009-Mid 2012) Trackpad Mounting Screws

    iAndrewC -

    Be careful with this step. The very tiny screws are very hard to remove with a #00 screwdriver. I tried with mine and I mashed the srews heads, it was then very very hard to remove it. Better to use a #000 screwdriver. If the heads are mashed like me, I suggest you use a 0.1 flat screwdriver, it worked well in my case.

    Jonathan -

    I couldn't even begin to use the #000 as the edges were not deep or narrow enough for the condition of the screws from factory install. The .1 flat screwdriver worked like a charm though and didn't mess up the screws further at all. I was getting nervous that I'd need to get another screwdriver beyond what's in the iFixit toolkit, but this worked as a better solution.

    Thom Merrick -

    I used a #0 screwdriver, and it worked fine.

    TIP: Remove and insert the screws over a large, clear work surface. The slightest pressure off center an the screws will suddenly fly off and vanish.

    ALAN VOORHEES -

    Yes, I have found a very small flat head screw driver works brilliant.

    Cary B -

  9. K6JpC6YYO2IFtS6n
    K6JpC6YYO2IFtS6n
    bNiHrMCqOppGXnvq
    A1UtIgrfgmOygx46

    • If necessary, carefully dislodge the edge of the trackpad closest to the keyboard from its recess in the upper case by pushing it away from the brackets attached to the upper case.

    • Carefully push the trackpad connector and cable down through the slot cut into the upper case.

    • It may be necessary to use a spudger to help get the trackpad connector past the edge of the logic board.

    • Once the cable has been completely pulled through its slot in the upper case, pull the trackpad away from the outer edge of the upper case and remove it from the machine.

  10. DcQg2evIGPQY3APf

    • If you are installing a replacement trackpad that didn't come with the attached flex cable, you'll need to use the cable from your old trackpad.

    • To remove the flex cable from the old trackpad, first flip open the latch on the ZIF connector, opposite the cable. Then, apply a little heat from a hair dryer or iOpener to soften the adhesive securing the cable to the trackpad, and carefully peel off and remove the cable.

    • When installing your new trackpad, routing the cable through the upper case and past the logic board may be difficult. It is helpful to use the tip of a spudger to guide the connector past the logic board while pushing the cable through its slot in the upper case with your other hand.

    If your replacement trackpad comes with the cable separated and loose, the connection to the trackpad needs to have a tab pressed down which keeps the connection snug. It won't work without it. It's a tab on the trackpad part of the connection. Tab might be the wrong word; the connection has to be in all the way, then clamp it closed with the tab... oops! LOL

    Mark -

    Tip: Getting the cable nicely through the slit to the top is much easier, if you take a tiny cable binder, form half a loop in that little space the cable has to come up and lift it gently with it.

    Plum Pudding -

  11. AMdE51g2GhsDSKeu
    AMdE51g2GhsDSKeu
    dxkM5oQnfEdYXw3k

    • Next, reinstall the four 1.2 mm Phillips screws along the inner edge of the trackpad.

    • Tighten the screws all the way, then back them out about 1/4 turn.

    • Check the alignment of the trackpad on the keyboard side of the upper case. Once you have centered the trackpad in the upper case, tighten the four Phillips screws all the way.

    trackpad still doesn't click. I've tried two separate parts.. but what makes it pop back up after depressing the pad? It just lays there. I've taken it apart four times to adjust the tork screw... nothing. HELP!

    Gail -

    two options here :

    _adjust the screw which control the deepness of the click

    or

    _the back panel put pressure on the battery which prevent the movement of the trackpad

    Sebastien CHAPUIS -

    My trackpad was driving me up the wall, bouncing all over the place. Ifixit Trackpad comes with extra screws, hinge and adjuster. You won't believe how tiny these screws are! If one falls in the carpet-it's GONE! Bless you Ifixit! To center when re-installing adjust by sliding a thin piece of paper (scotch tape?), under bottom of trackpad, let Trackpad rest on it's own weight and then tighten one top and bottom screw a little bit, and eyeball it, just the tiniest crack of daylight on each side. I strongly suggest the highest quality magnetic screwdriver you can find. The little torx screw disc is an adjuster. If too tight, trackpad won't 'click.' On a Mac, click is not really essential as long as tap and slide are working right. Needs a small amount of clearance. When properly installed you can 'feel' the click if it's right. Probably won't need to mess with it at all. Now my trackpad works like it should, I am a happy camper!

    ovenwally -

    I replaced the trackpad with a new one: the arrow moves but was not possible to click. I putted back the old trackpad and it works with. The solution: the eleventh picture shown a gray Torx type screw to the left of the connector where there is the recess in the back of the mouse. This screw is used to increase or decrease the depth of clicks. in my case it was too screwed and it was as if I held continually pressed the truckpad: therefore, it was enough to loosen it. At this point I ask myself since in the old truckpad I had problems with the physical click, I probably would have been enough to adjust the screw.

    caronte88 -

    Vielen Dank, dies hat mir sehr beholfen :-)

    Frederik Häger -

    ifitit is once again amazing. My trackpad just stopped working on my four year old machine. Bought a new trackpad from iFitit, followed the guide and now I have a functional laptop again. One thing to note. 1.2mm is small very, very small. The screws for the trackpad *will* get lost if they fall of the table. Make sure that doesn't happen.

    Jerry -

    I was having trackpad issue on my 2010 machine, did the replacement from ifixit which arrived broken (bummer) but they replaced it no problems. It worked great for just under a year but now I'm having the same issues again of poor finger tacking, jumping, and lack of sensitivity. I've tried cleaning the whole unit, rebooting in safe mode, refreshing code, and anything else the web has provided. I'm starting to wonder if it's something else on my machine or if the trackpads just don't hold up well enough. Overall I'm super frustrated to have a newer pad crap out this early.

    eastern117 -

    I don't have a magnetic head driver so I had a terrible time trying to get the screws in. I found getting the screw on the table Phillips side up, I pushed my finger tip into the head til it stuck and placed the screw into the thread that way. The screw stayed in long enough for me to tighten with the driver ! Oh, what a relief! I only lost one screw; thank god for replacement screws! Order your trackpad with screws! They fall and get lost easy! Now I'm happy! :)

    Mark -

    Next time rub the tip of the screwdriver against a magnet about 10-20 times in the SAME direction (A fridge magnet works)

    Karan Kakkar -

    For some reason the black material under the tabs were enough to stop the track pad from being able to click. I removed that material and now have a track pad that clicks.

    blrmisc -

    I installed the trackpad, but it was not behaving correctly. Took it apart again and reinstalled, using the 2 new foils that go under the trackpad keeper screws (my old ones were kind of mangled, probably from all the force I had to use on the old trackpad). I also made extra sure the trackpad was precisely lined up this time. Voila! A nice, sensitive new trackpad.

    Thanks, iFixit!

    Felix -

    I found it difficult to adjust the trackpad’s position so that it had just the same amount of space on every side to move freely when being clicked.

    What worked for me was putting all four screws in - but a little loose as suggested - and then putting the button case back on (without screws) for protection. Turn the laptop in normal position, open it, adjust the trackpad, fix its position with one large strap of of easy to remove tape - approximately 15 x 4-5 cm e.g. masking tape.

    This will hold the trackpad in position while turning the MacBook Pro around and tightening the screws.

    Jörn von Spreckelsen -

    Watch this Youtube, it shows an additional issue with the click mechanism pressure contact that may be causing the Track Pad to not register clicks. https://youtu.be/awihkz3aYkg

    Macrepair SF -

    I installed my trackpad and am having trouble getting it to work properly. At first it wouldn’t click at all but I readjusted it and now I can use it mostly, but there seems to be small portions of the trackpad that don’t register my touch (mostly noticeable when I try to scroll with 2 fingers - it just wont). Can you give me some pointers?

    bea -

    Still having this same problem with no reply. I sometimes can’t use the zoom function on my laptop because the trackpad doesn’t recognize that I am touching it at all. In certain parts of it my touch is not being recognized. I have tried to readjust several times without success. Would love some recommendations if anybody has any.

    bea -

    I have followed every step of this guide, word for word, and my for some reason the new replacement trackpad is unresponsive. Any tips?

    andrescruz -

Conclusion

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

Author

Andrew Bookholt

578096 Reputation

13 comments

I replaced the trackpad and the new one had a strange behave: the arrow moves, the multi-touch works, but was not possible to click and when the arrow passes on the dock it doesn't react at all, then I plugged in an external mouse and the behave was the same (in few words it was impossible to use the computer).

Now I putted back the old trackpad and I work with the external mouse.

Did someone experienced something similar?

Did you solve in some way?

Thank you in advance.

Fortunato -

Are you sure you pushed the cable in all the way

will stadler -

Hello,

I also had a similar problem. I was told to try to reset the SMC in this way:

1. Attach the MagSafe power cord

2. Power off the MacBook Pro

3. Press the L-Shift/Control/Option and Power button at the same time and hold.

4. Release them all at the same time

5. Then power on the MacBook Pro

but didn't work for me. Any other suggestion?

donato spoltore -

Anyone have trouble with the trackpad acting wonky after installation? Clicking well, but the right 1/3 side does not track properly. Cursor will start to go all over the place or stop. Also installed an Anker replacement battery as well, took off the foot pads as recommended. Just trying to figure out if it's software or hardware. (i.e. did I get a faulty replacement trackpad.).

Thanks!

skiwildcat7 -

Thanks for this very precise step-by-step guide! Good old MBP works fine again.

Cost: Track pad from China € 26, ifixit screwdriver set € 25 - compared to the Apple shop's cost estimate a real big deal!

Wolfgang Ehle -

Thank you IfixIt . It was a breeze to fix my trackpad. Took me all of 15 min. No adjustments needed in my case. I did go with the 000 driver instead of the 00 because of comment left here and it worked flawlessly . My next project is my screen on a iPad 4th gen. Thanx again and wish me luck .

cuban4lf -

I've replaced the trackpad and it's working fine, except that the fan is always at maximum speed and never stop or slow down as soon as the macbook starts, so it's kindy noisy. I tried to reinstall the old trackpad (which doesn't click anymore), and fan went back to normal.

So, even if i don't know how the two are related, the new trackpad makes the fan go crazy. I've tried all kind of reset, smc etc... but no luck. Any idea?

Arnaud -

1st off shipping... WAS SUPER QUICK via FEDEX!!!!

Wow that was super easy!

So glad I purchased the "Essential Electronics Tool kit" Made the repair that much easier!(Right tools for the right job)

I was a little worried as the trackpad it self did not click but after aligning it and then tightening the 4 screws down it was fine!

Also purchased a new Battery and replaced that the same time, such a breeze!

Thanks IFIXIT completely satisfied and will recommend to all my friends!

getednam -

I replaced the trackpad on my MacBook Pro 13" Mid 2009 model with iFixit's used trackpad (with screws) and it is working perfectly. The guide was easy to follow and all the recommended tools above worked well. The only trouble I had was unscrewing the screws from the trackpad. I had to push from the other side of the trackpad to get the screwdriver to turn them. I recommend getting new screws with the new trackpad as I just about stripped the old ones because of this problem. Thank you iFixit for saving me a trip to the Apple store and paying for an expensive repair.

megaflip -

Trackpad Replacement Guide was perfect. So were other guides pointing to possible battery culpability in "no click registration" problem in trackpad. After troubleshooting the battery (not the culprit in my machine), I bought the replacement trackpad and the $10 set of screws & misc items for trackpad fix, followed the steps (holding breath), and bingo -- clicker works again. Caution: your 00 philips needs a magnetic tip to work the microscopic trackpad mounting screws. The 000 tip worked for me on the MacBook case but 00 tip was needed to muscle the tiny trackpad screws. My new Trackpad must have shipped with a mini-ziplock bag of replacement screws, though I didn't notice until nearly done with the replacement. Still totally glad I spent the $10 extra to get a "for sure" set of new screws in case of head strip (unlikely you will strip threads but possible to score the philips notches because they are seated really tight). I had no problems with trackpad functionality after the install. Totally perfect.

johnpiperjr -

Repair went smoothly and trackpad works great! I'm a cheap-o and bought the used trackpad without extra screws (one beer down and I was still able to manage not losing the original screws, phew!). As you may have guessed, I spilled red wine all over my computer and luckily there was no internal damage except for the trackpad. The mouse moved and clicked but did not register the clicks. I was worried that it may have been a deeper issue than only the trackpad, but just my luck that things worked out in my favor. Thank you to the contributor for this easy repair guide!

Rachel Freid -

What's wrong with the idea of removing the cable from the trackpad itself and re-using it with a new cable-less replacement trackpad? Wouldn't that be MUCH easier?

tracy -

I just finished installing the trackpad on my trusty old MacBook, and it works better than the last one that was installed by a “professional”. Instructions were easy to follow. Thank you!!

occupant -