MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 I/O Board Replacement

Written By: Brett Hartt

Comments: 18

MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012 I/O Board Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

No estimate

Introduction

Pre-req only

Tools

Step 1

Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the I/O board data cable lock and rotate it toward the battery side of the computer.
Use the flat end of a spudger to slide the I/O board data cable straight out of its socket on the logic board.
Do not lift up on the I/O board data cable, as its socket is very fragile. Pull the cable parallel to the face of the logic board.

This is a difficult step. A few images for the removal of the cable would be good/better

Robert Jan Lebbink - 04/04/16

Yes, a few more detailed pics here would help. Indeed, general pics explaining HOW ALL the plugs and sockets fit would be VERY handy :-)

Simon Anthony - 19/01/20

Here is that guide!

Carsten Frauenheim -

I helped me to use the pliers both to get underneath the canble lock and then push on the wings of the cable.

Calvin Truong - 24/09/18

Used fingers on the cable lock.

Joseph Gorse - 29/05/19

gently use tips of tweezers at either side to walk it out

Christa - 17/01/21

It is much more easy to do step 21 before step 20 - this cable is more easy to remove

Also if you assemble then do step 20 before step 21 - it is more easy to place the cable into the connector

Muescha -

Step 2

Remove the two 3.1 mm T5 Torx screws securing the I/O board to the logic board.
On some models, also removing the silver 3.5 mm T5 Torx screw from the heatsink can aid in I/O board removal.
Carefully lift the I/O board and remove it from the lower case.

This did not want to come out. The bottom was really wedged in there good. I had to pry up the bottom part with a screw driver. The funny thing was it was really easy to put back in. *shrug*

Jer - 18/09/17

it actually has an extra screw that needs to be removed.

Reid Rankin - 09/02/18

Thank you. Removing the screw by the heat sink really helped get this board removed.

Christopher Hofmann - 11/06/18

It helped me to push the IO board further into the casing and then lifting.

Calvin Truong - 24/09/18

i/o cable was much easier to remove after freeing the i/o board & slightly lifting it. SK

Stefan Kirchanski - 07/11/18

I believe, the IO Board can stay where it is, for logic board replacement..?

smirgle - 18/12/19

Yes, I replace motherboard without touch IO Board

Александр Гращенков - 08/04/21

On a 2014.5 design, these instructions should be revised on this process. The heat pipe needs to be removed first if one were to remove the I/O CCA, Reason being, the CCA is installed first into the case and then the heat pipe contact tab lays atop the CCA under the plastic injection molded part. This injection molded piece part secures the tab to the CCA to ensure optimal contact thus, ensuring heat is wicked away from the CCA.

So when I see comments regarding how it is easier to install than remove, that is an indicator that the user was unaware of how to correctly assemble this component thus, the CCA top side substrate is sitting below the heat pipe tab vs. the other way around.

This will induce a thermal issue on the I/O CCA and also, possibly short out the board when the conformal coating and painted surface of the heat pipe wears off due to vibration when cables are connected.

While I like these instructions, I would overhaul them and revise them.

Christopher McKenna - 15/06/20

Yes, removing the screw near the heat sink really did make it come out easily!

David Choy - 13/02/21

Notice that the silver 3.5 mm T5 Torx screw is the same one you’re going the be asked to remove on step 29.

Rafael Pérez -

As per comments above, I found it mandatory to remove the extra silver screw near the heat sink, which locked the logic board.

Hence, the instructions for this step were very relevant:

"On some models, also removing the silver 3.5 mm T5 Torx screw from the heatsink can aid in I/O board removal."

Tim Telcik -