MacBook Pro A2485 LCD Panel Only Replacement Guide

[@SmallFryTy]

Thanks so much for my screen replacement Derek! If anyone needs to get their screen fixed asap, and does not want to pay apple store prices, he is the one! He fixed my MacBook pro a2485 screen (shipped, fixed, and sent back to me) in about a week! 10/10 would highly recommend and also very fast with responses!

[@FIXDPHONES]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@gebthabeb]

If you don’t mind me asking, how much does this service cost? I’m in the same boat

[@SmallFryTy]

@@gebthabeb it was $479! I went to an Apple Store and they said it was going to be minimum $800+ so I would definitely go with Derek if you’re in a similar situation

[@SmallFryTy]

@@gebthabeb for sure! It was $479 plus a bit extra for you to ship it to him. I went to the apply store before at first but they were going to charge me minimum $800+ so if you’re in a similar situation I’d definitely consider going with Derek

[@password2]

Bro. I have a new information. To cut to the chase, simply moving the small chip resolves the issue. My A2485 encountered problems with backlight brightness adjustment when I didn't replace the chip. However, just transferring the small chip (which contains the EDID information) solved the problem. The larger chip (Tcon) doesn't contain any information. It seems like many people are unaware of this fact.

[@FIXDPHONES]

The small chip is the eeprom which basically tells the device that it’s the correct integrated circuit downstream so as long as the larger chip has been programmed properly prior(ie original) then your conclusion is more than likely correct.

[@MiloRomero-r9m]

What te ia telled me: EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory): Function: Stores essential data for the screen, such as factory settings, color calibrations, and configuration parameters. Role: Provides non-volatile memory that retains important settings even when the device is powered off. TCON (Timing Controller): Function: Manages signal synchronization and data conversion for the display. Role: Coordinates horizontal and vertical signals, converts video data from the graphics processor, and controls image updates. TCON chips typically do not store permanent data but may have temporary memory for processing.

[@MrPnew1]

Thanks for the video Derek. I have been told that you will not get screen artefacts and sleep issuers with these A2485 if you do a straight LCD panel swap without changing the two chips or even using a complete aftermarket full LCD assembly? I know that the A2442 definitely needs the chips swapped, because Apple will not give us access to their calibration software. On those you get artefacts and no sleep on lid closure, at a bare minimum. I have heard of people having worse issues than just that too.I used an aftermarket LCD assembly on an A2681 last week and got no sleep on lid closure but definitely no artefacts. I am just interested in your experiences seeing as there is a lot of confusion and possible misinformation in the repair community about these three late model Macbook models. Thanks again and I hope that you have time to comment on my questions.

[@FIXDPHONES]

The Sleep Wake function can be repaired as there is a tool to calibrate a new one on the MacBook's and that's separate from the display. Replacing the LCD without transferring the IC is theoretically ok, but not recommended because of things like artefacts. Not all models have that issue though. the a2442 and a2485 are the models where I will always transfer the IC's.

[@jacksonsneed7689]

I agree about transferring the ICs, it just eliminates possible issues, but OP is right, the angle sensors can be programmed now if you wanna go that route for sleep/wake functionality, but I definitely agree with the OP; those artifacts (weird rectangles) are a possibility on certain models if you don't transfer the ICs

[@MrPnew1]

@@jacksonsneed7689 yes A2442's are by far the worst from my limited experience with these late model screens. Most people that I know report no issues with A2485 LCD assembly swaps and A2681 seem to have no artefacts, only the sleep issue. I would not have thought that recalibrating the original lid angle sensor would solve sleep issues after a screen replacement though? The situation with these is slowly evolving and a big thanks to Derek for putting out these two videos that clearly show his techniques. The only other KZbinr that I see showing about these, is L2 Computers in New York.

[@jacksonsneed7689]

Great video!! Hopefully this encourages more techs to do this repair. BUT UGH, THAT DAMN GLASS IC! Transferring that little fu*ker is a DELICATE process. A first unsuccessful attempt quickly taught me to treat that little guy with serious care, and now I do this repair quite a lot. That brings me to a question . . WTF is happening to these displays?! I know accidents happen and people drop 'em, but I've done A LOT of these, and I'm starting to think some of them have been punched. I've done some iMac glass-only repairs where the customer told me they punched the display, so apparently people can get big mad enough to hit their machines. Good times! 😳 Thanks for this video brother! I really enjoy your content, as it gives me new approaches to repairs I do a lot of, so thanks for that.

[@MrPnew1]

Kudos to you for tackling these panel and IC swaps. I also had a unsuccessful attempt at chip swapping from broken LCD to good pull from an iCloud locked machine. I got the good panel out OK (easier than A2337 I reckon) swapped the chip but the machine would boot with no backlight and also crash and restart. I worked out that if I left the image data flex unplugged, no crashing. As far as the no backlight, I did heat the screen housing up on a heatpad at 60 C so maybe that damaged the backlight sheet. I won't be attempting any customer repairs of these until I can do one of my own first. With the A2442 in Australia being $2000 even second hand, it's an expensive proposition. I will need to keep an eye out for a machine with a broken LCD so I can try again. I have already turned away half a dozen of these jobs so far, and that hurts :)

[@FIXDPHONES]

Thanks for the comments and helping others understand where things can go wrong and what they can expect. Any tech the attempts these type of repairs has my respect.

[@jlodew0]

what stencil are you using for both bga's? thnx!

[@MrPnew1]

Derek, what are your thoughts, experiences on the swapping of chips on A2681 M2 Air? Are there artefacts and or sleep issues in your experience. Also do you think that the sleep issues are only related to the firmware in the two chips or is there a tie in in regard to the LAS (Lid Angle Sensor ) Imagine what the 15" Air ones are going to be like once panels become available. 15" panels are quite large and flimsy I imagine.

[@Tricky_1]

Do you own a repair shop where I can send my MacBooks for new lcd replacement?

[@Tricky_1]

Just saw in your description 😭😭 sorry about that.

[@password2]

Seller said A2485 do not need to transfer two chips. Is this wrong information? What happens if i don’t transfer two chips at A2485?

[@FIXDPHONES]

The main functions of these ICs include: The EEPROM chips store crucial display data, such as resolution settings, color profiles, and other parameters specific to the LCD panel. This data is essential for the MacBook's operating system to recognize and properly communicate with the display. The EDID chips contain information about the display's manufacturer, model, supported resolutions, refresh rates, and other capabilities. This information is transmitted to the MacBook's graphics controller during the initialization process to ensure proper display configuration. Transferring these ICs from the old LCD panel to the new one ensures that the replacement display behaves identically to the original one and maintains compatibility with the MacBook's hardware and software. If these ICs are not transferred or are damaged during the replacement process, it can lead to display issues such as incorrect resolution, color distortion, or even failure to display an image altogether. In Most Cases it presents itself with a Shadow affect at the top of the screen. A replacement display will work without them, but I don't recommend it for the reasons I explained.

[@hadjiarmandocuevaslopez5837]

What type of tape do you use?

[@alikasalazar5857]

my black strip broke on the right side, then it broke on the left side but not til it was almost all the way up the left side. what’s the best way to go from here? heat the panel off from the back to loosen adhesive? trying to save the backlight as they pricey lol

[@alikasalazar5857]

figured it out! all working🙂 amazing explanation on this whole repair. GREAT JOB!!

[@FIXDPHONES]

Great job!

[@BrytZzy0]

Hey guys! So I cracked my macbook pro M1 pro 16 " display and now Im looking for the cheapest way to replace it. Im thinking into buying the lcd (without frame) from Aliexpress for 350 AUD, and then doing a IC swap with the chips from the original screen(150 AUD). I know a guy how does micro soldering and would be able to do a nice job, Im just afraid the aliexpress LCD will not be compatible with the IC from the original screen. Does anyone knows if that would work or have any suggestion? Thank youuu xxx

[@henryhharold]

Hello did you manage to buy from aliexpress can you tell me how it went ? I’m in the same situation .. many thanks

[@BrytZzy0]

@@henryhharold went super smooth, no need to replace ic chip, everything works 100% color profiles, true tone, resolution, refresh rate… quality is amazing