Removing factory feet from a Mac Laptop (Non-Retina)

(Archived) How to reduce Mac Laptop temperatures<\/a> **Guide now private**<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p>While foot replacement does not need to be done in a set, many modern 3rd party replacements are now rubberized and come in a set and in many cases, the original feet tend to fail as the system ages. If you want to change the set out to fix the problem for good or make your laptop non-slip, this guide will show you how to break the feet for replacement. <strong><em>These steps do not apply to the rMBP (PCIe, T1 and T2) series.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"clearer\"><\/div><div class=\"headerContainer\"><h2 id=\"Section_Guide_notes\" class=\"header\">Guide notes<\/h2><\/div>\n\n<ul><li><strong><em>Once the foot is broken, there is no way to go back. Be sure you want to do this before removing surviving feet!<\/em><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><em>While bottom panel damage is unlikely if done with caution, it can happen if you work over an edge.<\/em><\/strong><ul><li>Place the bottom on a flat surface to avoid damaging the cover while doing this. <strong><em>In most cases, the original feet are brittle enough a light cut will suffice.<\/em><\/strong><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong><em>Once the foot is removed, it must be replaced and CANNOT be reused.<\/em><\/strong><ul><li>Make sure you have a set of four available for this procedure as you will need to replace these intentionally damaged feet due to the design.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>Place the old feet in a container designated for the remains of the original set. This is so you don\u2019t mix them up.<\/li><\/ul>"},"subscribed":false,"isFavorite":false,"favoriteCount":1,"isCompleted":false,"completedCount":4,"guideData":{"title":"Removing factory feet from a Mac Laptop (Non-Retina)","mainImage":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/OMqGTjitRbofXgDI.140x105","mainImageUrl2x":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/OMqGTjitRbofXgDI.200x150","published_date":"July 1, 2019","modified_date":"April 17, 2021","isTeardown":false,"commentCount":0,"viewCounts":{"today":3,"week":26,"month":117,"all":3198},"author":{"url":"https:\/\/www.ifixit.com\/User\/76599\/Nick","name":"Nick","image":"https:\/\/guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com\/igi\/vCZUoM4NTJy4NeEq.thumbnail","authorCount":2,"historyUrl":"\/Guide\/history\/intro\/124150"},"difficulty":2,"difficultyName":"Easy","timeRequired":"5 - 15 minutes","flags":[{"flagid":"GUIDE_USER_CONTRIBUTED","image":"https:\/\/assets.cdn.ifixit.com\/static\/images\/flags\/svg\/MEMBER.svg","title":"Member-Contributed Guide","text":"An awesome member of our community made this guide. It is not managed by iFixit staff.","privilegeid":1}],"mainImageWidth":"140","mainImageHeight":"105","totalTimeIso":"PT900S","stepCount":4}}">

Introduction

This guide replaces the previous foot replacement guide: (Archived) How to reduce Mac Laptop temperatures **Guide now private**

While foot replacement does not need to be done in a set, many modern 3rd party replacements are now rubberized and come in a set and in many cases, the original feet tend to fail as the system ages. If you want to change the set out to fix the problem for good or make your laptop non-slip, this guide will show you how to break the feet for replacement. These steps do not apply to the rMBP (PCIe, T1 and T2) series.

Once the foot is broken, there is no way to go back. Be sure you want to do this before removing surviving feet!
While bottom panel damage is unlikely if done with caution, it can happen if you work over an edge.
- Place the bottom on a flat surface to avoid damaging the cover while doing this. In most cases, the original feet are brittle enough a light cut will suffice.
Once the foot is removed, it must be replaced and CANNOT be reused.
- Make sure you have a set of four available for this procedure as you will need to replace these intentionally damaged feet due to the design.
Place the old feet in a container designated for the remains of the original set. This is so you don’t mix them up.

What you need

Step 1 Remove the bottom cover

Removing factory feet from a Mac Laptop (Non-Retina), Remove the bottom cover: step 1, image 1 of 2

Removing factory feet from a Mac Laptop (Non-Retina), Remove the bottom cover: step 1, image 2 of 2

I am using a 2011 13" MacBook Pro. Most machines are similar, but variations may exist.
If possible, disconnect the battery to protect your components once the bottom is removed.
Remove the bottom cover of your MacBook with the guide for your specific system.

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Step 2 Removing failed feet

Removing factory feet from a Mac Laptop (Non-Retina), Removing failed feet: step 2, image 1 of 3

Removing factory feet from a Mac Laptop (Non-Retina), Removing failed feet: step 2, image 2 of 3

Removing factory feet from a Mac Laptop (Non-Retina), Removing failed feet: step 2, image 3 of 3

Before removing the good feet, remove the failed feet first. These may come off without disassembly if they have fully failed.
After removing the damaged feet, remove the intact feet. Follow the disassembly guide for your specific Mac.

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Step 3 (Full set replacement only) Removing intact feet

Removing factory feet from a Mac Laptop (Non-Retina), (Full set replacement only) Removing intact feet: step 3, image 1 of 3

Removing factory feet from a Mac Laptop (Non-Retina), (Full set replacement only) Removing intact feet: step 3, image 2 of 3

Removing factory feet from a Mac Laptop (Non-Retina), (Full set replacement only) Removing intact feet: step 3, image 3 of 3

Tool used on this step:

iFixit Opening Picks (Set of 6)

$4.99

To remove the intact feet, score the internal plug. Once scored, remove the plug with a guitar pick.
After removing the inner plug, push the foot out with a spudger or screwdriver.

Edit

Step 4 Install the new feet

Removing factory feet from a Mac Laptop (Non-Retina), Install the new feet: step 4, image 1 of 2

Removing factory feet from a Mac Laptop (Non-Retina), Install the new feet: step 4, image 2 of 2

Tool used on this step:

Adhesive Cleanup Kit (Set of 12)

$4.99

If the adhesive ring remains, remove it first. Clean the chassis with denatured alcohol or adhesive cleaner.
After removing the old feet, install the new set onto the bottom cover.
Re-install the cover on the computer.