Introduction
Use this guide to replace the antenna bar in your MacBook Pro 16" 2021.
For your safety, discharge the battery below 25% before disassembling your MacBook. This reduces the risk of fire if the battery is accidentally damaged during the repair. If your battery is swollen, take appropriate precautions.
Tools
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Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove eight screws securing the lower case:
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Four 9.1 mm screws
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Four 5 mm screws
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Press a suction handle into place near the front edge of the lower case, between the screw holes.
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Pull up on the suction handle to create a small gap under the lower case.
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Insert an opening pick into the gap you just created.
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Slide the opening pick around the nearest corner and then halfway up the side of the MacBook Pro.
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Repeat the previous step on the other side, using an opening pick to to release the second clip.
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Pull firmly to slide the lower case towards the front edge of the MacBook (away from the hinge area) to separate the last of the clips securing the lower case.
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Pull first at one corner, then the other.
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Remove the lower case.
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Set it in place and align the sliding clips near the display hinge. Press down and slide the cover toward the hinge. It should stop sliding as the clips engage.
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When the sliding clips are fully engaged and the lower case looks correctly aligned, press down firmly on the lower case to engage the four hidden clips underneath. You should feel and hear them snap into place.
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Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the battery board data cable.
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Disconnect the battery board data cable by sliding it out from its socket on the logic board.
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Use a T3 Torx driver to remove the two 2.1 mm‑long screws securing the trackpad cable bracket to the logic board.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the trackpad cable's press connector from the logic board.
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Peel back any tape covering the battery board data cable connector under the large pancake screw.
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Use a spudger to gently pry up the locking flap on the ZIF connector for the battery board data cable.
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Disconnect the battery board data cable by sliding it out from its socket on the battery board.
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Slide blunt nose tweezers under areas with adhesive to separate the cable from the device.
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Remove the battery board data cable.
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Use a T5 Torx driver to remove the 3.9 mm pancake screw securing the battery power connector.
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Use a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the three 2.1 mm screws securing the antenna board bracket and coaxial cable cover to the frame.
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Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the cover on top of the antenna bar's coaxial cables.
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Use the tip of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the antenna bar's coaxial cable.
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Repeat for the two other cables.
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Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the antenna bar to the frame:
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Two 7.5 mm screws
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Four 3 mm screws
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Use a P2 Pentalobe driver to remove the nine 1.5 mm screws securing the antenna bar to the frame.
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Insert the tip of a spudger between the antenna bar and the frame.
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Pry up with the spudger to separate the antenna bar from the frame.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
Compare your new replacement part to the original part—you may need to transfer remaining components or remove adhesive backings from the new part before you install it.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our MacBook Pro 16" 2021 Answers community for help.
2 comments
Is there a source for the 9 tiny screws that hold down the antenna bar? Your guide describes them as 1.5mm P2 screws. The Apple manual calls them 1IPR (part number 923-06856). I've reached out to Apple and they don't sell them.
The screws described as P2 Pentalobe in the antenna bar removal step ARE NOT P2 Pentalobe fasteners! P2 tools strip out the heads on these. Per the Apple manual, the actual drive type is 1 IPR. Wera makes one.