Introduction
This is a prerequisite guide describing how to replace MacBook Pro Retina feet, applicable to models A1425, A1502, and A1398. For a full guide including lower case removal, refer to the specific MacBook Pro device pages.
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Peel away any stickers from the backside of the rear case covering the feet you have chosen to replace.
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Remove any broken or damaged feet.
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If the old foot is difficult to remove, use a hair dryer or a heat gun to apply some heat to the area and loosen the adhesive.
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Wipe the foot cavity with an isopropyl alcohol prep pad to remove any cleaner residue and prep the area for the adhesive on the new foot.
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Align the new foot inside the cavity.
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Lay the foot down while keeping it properly aligned.
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Check for proper alignment from the inside of the case. The alignment nub should be slightly visible through the alignment hole.
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Press the new foot into place firmly with your finger, then apply pressure by pinching the foot from either side of the case with your finger and your thumb.
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Maintain pressure for 30 seconds to set the pressure-sensitive adhesive.
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Repeat the last seven steps for any remaining broken or worn feet.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
If you take an exact knife or similar and trace out a section around the feet, you can leave the rest of the sticker in tact. I found it easier to remove a small section of the sticker as it was fairly well adhered.
Stephen Chan -
@Stephan Chan - Your suggestion was perfect. Cutting away the small section of sticker where the feet go is definitely the way to do it.
seattlehudson -
I agree with you @gusto5 (Stephen Chan) - cutting out a small circle in the sticker with a craft knife is much easier. Just to be on the safe side, since it did expose a little of the aluminum of the case, after I’d stuck the replacement foot and held it in place for 30 seconds, I put a small piece of Scotch tape over the hole I’d cut in the sticker on the back.
Owen Edwards -
Received a quicker delivery of the feet replacement kit. Followed the suggestion and was quicker and boots (feet) flashed fit on bottom case.
Albert Evangelista -
If, like mine, all your feet have sheared off, you may be able to pry the center bit of plastic left in the lid at each foot out with tweezers. Obviously don't go digging deep or forcing things, but if you are lucky like I was then you don't need to remove all the screws and the lid. My new feet went in well and seem really well stuck. Make sure you clean the surface of the aluminium extremely well.
I didn't find any need to cut the plastic backing. I found that each foot easily came off the backing and I grabbed it with the tweezers.
I put a pencil mark on the lid showing the position of the little "key" nub and made a mark on the foot too, showing its position. This allowed me to align the "key" nub with it's hole easily.
frostyfriday -
After pealing away any feet, be sure to remove the clear film after applying the adhesive remover. I found this easiest to do with my finger name and then double checked that all four feet recessed areas were free of the clear plastic adhesive backing from the prior removed feet.
Frank Dries -
The black stickers are for electrical insulation. I patched mine with black insulating electrical tape.
Steve Lamb -