Mac mini (2024) Front USB-C Ports Replacement

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

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Mac mini (2024) Front USB-C Ports Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 - 45 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the front USB-C ports in your Mac mini (2024).

This guide was written with a baseline M4 Mac mini. Although the internals for the M4 Pro version are slightly different, the disassembly procedure is the same.

The two front USB-C ports are combined into one part, so replacing one port means replacing both.

Tools

Step 1

Fully shut down your Mac mini and unplug all cables from it.
Flip over your Mac mini and place it on a clean, flat surface to avoid scratching the chassis.

Step 2

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the bottom cover and the chassis.
Pry up the bottom cover to create a gap.
Keep the Jimmy inserted under the bottom cover.

Step 3

Insert an opening pick into the gap created by the Jimmy.
Remove the Jimmy.

Step 4

Slide the opening pick along the bottom cover until you feel it snag on a clip.
There are four clips total—one at each corner of the bottom cover.
Twist the pick to lift the clip out of its slot.

Step 5

Continue sliding and prying with the pick along the perimeter of the bottom cover to release the remaining clips.
Don't insert the pick more than an inch near the power button, as you risk damaging the cable.
During reassembly, press along the perimeter of the bottom until you hear and feel all four clips click back into place.

Step 6

Don't remove the bottom cover yet, as it's still connected to the Mac mini with a cable.
Lift the edge of the bottom cover opposite the power button and flip it over to expose the power button cable.

Step 7

Grip the power button cable close to the head and pull it away from its socket to disconnect it.

Step 8

Remove the bottom cover.

Step 9

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
While the Mac mini uses Torx Plus screws, standard Torx bits work. Make sure to apply constant, downward force to prevent stripping.
Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the twelve screws securing the inner plate:
Eight 3.4 mm‑long screws
Four 2.4 mm‑long screws

Step 10

Insert the point of a spudger into one of the clips' slots on the inner plate.
Pry up the inner plate enough so you can grip the edge along the same side as the headphone jack.

Step 11

Pull the inner plate away from the chassis to slide it out from under the lip on the heat sink.
During reassembly, slide the inner plate back under the heat sink and press along its edges to secure it in the chassis.

Step 12

Don't remove the inner plate yet, as it's still connected to the Mac mini by a cable.
Lift the inner plate and flip it over to expose the wireless module cable.

Step 13

Use one hand to secure the wireless module during this step.
Use a Torx Plus 5IP screwdriver to remove the four 2.5 mm‑long screws securing the wireless module cover.

Step 14

Remove the wireless module cover.
During reassembly, look the bottom of the cover to find the foam rectangle. Align the foam rectangle over the wireless module press connector to find the proper orientation for the cover.

Step 15

Use one hand to secure the wireless module during this step.
Insert the point of a spudger under one of the short edges of the wireless module press connector.
Don't insert your spudger anywhere else, as you risk dislodging surface-mounted components.
Pry up to disconnect the wireless module.

Step 16

Remove the inner plate.

Step 17

If you're following this guide to clean your fan, this is a good time to do so.
Remove the four screws securing the fan:
Two 2.4 mm‑long Torx Plus 3IP screws
Two 7.9 mm‑long Torx Plus 5IP screws

Step 18

Lift the fan out of its recess in the chassis and flip it over to expose its wire and connector.
Let the fan rest on the chassis and heat sink.

Step 19

Use tweezers to peel back the tape covering the fan ZIF connector.

Step 20

Use the point of a spudger, or your fingernail, to flip up the locking tab on the fan ZIF connector.

Step 21

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to slide the ZIF connector straight out of its socket.

Step 22

Remove the fan.

Step 23

Use a Torx Plus 5IP screwdriver to remove the three screws securing the speaker:
Two 4.1 mm‑long screws
One 3.7 mm‑long screw

Step 24

Grip the speaker and slide it out from under the heat sink.

Step 25

Pull the speaker over the edge of the chassis to expose its cable and its connector.
Rest the speaker on the edge of the chassis.

Step 26

Grip the speaker cable close to the head and pull it away from its socket to disconnect it.

Step 27

Remove the speaker.

Step 28

Remove the four screws securing the USB-C port cover:
Three 2.2 mm‑long Torx Plus 3IP screws
One 9.2 mm‑long Torx Plus 8IP screw

Step 29

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to remove the front USB-C port cover.

Step 30

Use the point of a spudger to pry up and disconnect the front USB-C ports press connector.

Step 31

Use a Torx Plus 3IP screwdriver to remove the four 4.7 mm‑long screws securing the two front USB-C ports.
If you aren't using a flexible adapter, make sure your screwdriver is as parallel with the screw as possible. Apply constant force against the screw to avoid stripping.

Step 32

Use the point of a spudger to pry the front USB-C ports from their recesses in the chassis.
During reassembly, gently press the USB-C ports into their recesses until they click into place.