MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2009 Display Replacement

Step 1

Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:
Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.
Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

May be helpful to have more distinct colors to identify the different screws.

Victor Caamano - 12/02/19

Step 2

Using both hands, lift the lower case near the vent to pop it off two clips securing it to the upper case.
Remove the lower case and set it aside.

Step 3

Remove the two 5-Point Pentalobe screws along the top edge of the battery.
You do not necessarily have to follow steps 3-6 to remove the battery in order to replace the hard drive. However it is recommended to remove all power sources from electronics before working on them.

Question: why do you remove the battery? According to Apple's official manual, this is not required (not for the mid-2009 and not for the mid-2010 15-inch MacBook Pro) - see pages 37 ff:

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/MacB...

alexkli -

Quote from alexkli:

Question: why do you remove the battery? According to Apple's official manual, this is not required (not for the mid-2009 and not for the mid-2010 15-inch MacBook Pro) - see pages 37 ff:

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/MacB...

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/MacB...

I'm interested by your experience.

Did you have removed the optical drive without removing the battery ?

I'm just in this step now and if it is possible I would proceed like you because removing the battery void the warranty (and there is a sticker).

Thanks in advance.

youyou -

Looks like my note to step 3 appears on all repair guides that have the same step. I meant that in the context of the hard drive replacement only.

Did you have removed the optical drive without removing the battery ?

I haven't yet done anything, waiting for my MacBook Pro 15 inch mid-2010 to arrive.

alexkli -

I missed the notes and went ahead and purchased the 5 point driver for the battery before I realized it was not necessary.

I've edited the repair guide to remove the section on the battery, but I don't have the points to approve the changes.

Chris Davis -

Please note - the step about removing the battery is part of a pre-requisite guide, that is used for many of the guides, most that do require removal of the battery. Also, working inside a disassembled laptop with the battery still connected risks damaging/shorting out very expensive parts.

Eric Essen -

Absolutely. To be clear -- ALL of the above discussion is ONLY in reference to replacing the hard drive.

Chris Davis -

I replaced a hard drive in a MacBook Pro of an earlier model than this without removing the battery. The hard drive wasn't right. It only worked at about half speed, and I had to replace it once more. The second time I removed the battery and all went well. The recommendation by the iFixit staff to remove the battery before working on electronic equipment is a good one.

doug -

What is the size of those screws... I have rounded off the socket on mine and would like to replace them.

Ghatothkach Yadav -

I measured the screw size, using a micrometer, its about 1.523mm in diameter and 3.186mm in length. Not sure what screw size that is. They are not easily available I guess, unless someone is selling used ones on ebay

Ghatothkach Yadav -

Step 4

Use the tip of a spudger to bend back the finger of the "Warning: Do not remove the battery" sticker while you remove third five-point Pentalobe screw hidden underneath.

Step 5

Lift the battery by its plastic pull tab and slide it away from the long edge of the upper case.
Do not try to completely remove the battery just yet.

Removing the battery is not necessary for the hard drive removal/replacement procedures.

Erik -

My T6 (appears to be same screw driver you have - $6 on amazon for 20piece set) did NOT fit int he battery screws...not sure if I had the wrong screws or what, but I went ahead w/o battery steps and it was pretty easy.

Anthony Ettinger -

I also noticed that the new SDD (from crucial) didn't have the 4 screws, so I had to move those off the old HD and onto the new one.

Anthony Ettinger -

Just had the same issue: T6 does not fit the battery screws ;-( ... but with a little bit more preassure it was possible to remove the screws.

dirkvloenwagner - 31/10/15

Step 6

Tilt the battery back enough to access the battery cable connector.
Pull the battery cable connector away from its socket on the logic board and remove the battery from the upper case.
If you're installing a new battery, you should calibrate it after installation.

Excellent guide

Kola Ajibade - 14/06/20

Step 7

Apple sticks a small strip of clear plastic with adhesive applied to one side of the logic board behind the camera cable connector to keep it in its socket. When moving it out of the way, be sure not to break any surface-mount components off the logic board.
Use the tip of a spudger to rotate the plastic retainer away from the camera cable connector.

Step 8

Pull the camera cable away from its socket on the logic board.
Pull the connector parallel to the face of the logic board, not straight up.

Step 9

Peel the camera cable off the adhesive securing it to the body of the optical drive.

Step 10

This step is only required if you have an anti-glare display. If you have a glossy display, skip to step 12.
Disconnect the Bluetooth cable by pulling the male end straight away from its socket.
Pull the connector parallel to the face of the logic board, not straight up.
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the Bluetooth antenna cable up from its socket on the board.

Step 11

This step is only required if you have an anti-glare display.
Remove the two 8 mm Phillips screws securing the Bluetooth/camera cable retainer to the upper case.
One of the screws may remain captive in the Bluetooth/camera cable ground loop. If replacing the display, be sure to transfer this screw to the new unit.
Lift the Bluetooth board/cable retainer assembly out of the upper case.

Step 12

This step is only for glossy display machines. If you have an anti-glare display, skip this step.
Remove the two 8 mm Phillips screws securing the camera cable retainer to the upper case.
One of the screws may remain captive in the camera cable ground loop. If replacing the display, be sure to transfer this screw to the new unit.
Lift the camera cable retainer out of the upper case.

Step 13

Grab the plastic pull tab secured to the display data cable lock and rotate it toward the DC-In side of the computer.

Step 14

Remove the single 7 mm Phillips screw securing the display data cable retainer to the upper case.
This screw may remain captive in the display data cable ground loop. If replacing the display, be sure to transfer this screw to the new unit.
Remove the display data cable retainer from the upper case.

Step 15

Be sure the display data cable lock is rotated toward the DC-In board before proceeding.
Pull the display data cable connector straight away from its socket.
Make sure to pull the connector parallel to the face of the logic board, not straight up from its socket.

Step 16

Remove the outer two T6 Torx screws securing both display hinges to the upper case (four screws total).

Step 17

Open your MacBook Pro so the display is perpendicular to the upper case.
Place your opened MacBook Pro on a table as pictured.
While holding the display and upper case together with your left hand, remove the remaining T6 Torx screw from the lower display bracket.

Step 18

Be sure to hold the display and upper case together with your left hand. Failure to do so may cause the freed display/upper case to fall, potentially damaging each component.
Remove the last remaining T6 Torx screw securing the display to the upper case.

Step 19

Grab the upper case with your right hand and rotate it slightly toward the top of the display so the upper display bracket clears the edge of the upper case.
Rotate the display slightly away from the upper case.
Lift the display up and away from the upper case, minding any brackets or cables that may get caught.