Headphone · Apple · AirPods Max 1st Gen
Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen Logic Board Repair
Logic Board Repair guide for the Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen
Before you begin
Tools
- SIM card eject tool
- Torx T6 screwdriver
- Torx T3 screwdriver
- Precision tweezers
- Plastic opening pick
- Nylon spudger
- Soldering iron
- Hot air rework station
Parts / materials
- Isopropyl alcohol (99%)
- Solder flux
- Lead-free solder wire
- Cotton swabs
Safety
- Wear grounded ESD wrist protection to prevent static damage to sensitive microchips.
- Operate soldering and hot air tools in a well-ventilated area with fume extraction.
- Disconnect the internal battery connector before attempting component-level soldering.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Insert eject tool into headband release hole
2 minLocate the small pinhole inside the top inner rim of the earcup. Press a SIM eject tool firmly into the hole to release the locking latch.
- 2
Detach the headband from the earcup
2 minPull the headband stem straight out from the earcup connector port while holding the release latch down.
- 3
Remove the magnetic ear cushion
1 minGrasp the magnetic ear cushion firmly and pull it straight off the earcup frame.
- 4
Pry off the plastic driver surround ring
3 minInsert a thin plastic pick between the inner housing and the trim ring. Pry gently around the perimeter to release the clips.
- 5
Unscrew the driver assembly
3 minUse a Torx T6 screwdriver to remove the four screws securing the speaker driver housing.
- 6
Disconnect the speaker flex cable
2 minLift the driver assembly carefully, then use a spudger to pop the press-fit flex cable off the main board.
- 7
Remove the metal shield screws
3 minUnscrew the four Torx T3 screws securing the protective metal plate over the logic board.
- 8
Remove the logic board shield
1 minUse precision tweezers to lift the metal shield off the logic board assembly.
- 9
Disconnect the battery flex connector
2 minPry up the battery ribbon cable connector from its socket on the logic board using a nylon spudger.
- 10
Disconnect remaining ribbon cables
3 minDisconnect the microphone and Digital Crown flex cables from the logic board standard connectors.
- 11
Remove the logic board mounting screws
2 minRemove the three Torx T3 screws anchoring the logic board to the aluminum earcup shell.
- 12
Extract the logic board
3 minGently pry underneath the edges of the logic board with a spudger and lift it clear of the housing.
- 13
Perform board-level reflow or repair
10 minApply flux to target circuit components and use a hot air rework station or soldering iron to reflow compromised solder joints.
- 14
Clean board contacts
3 minClean off remaining flux residue using a cotton swab dipped in high-concentration isopropyl alcohol.
After your Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen logic board repair
Power the AirPods Max 1st Gen back on and test the logic board repair function before you put every screw away. Check touch/display response, charging, cameras, buttons, and wireless as relevant to this repair. If something fails after closing the device, reopen carefully and reseat the connectors for this Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Apple AirPods Max 1st Gen repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
