Sostituzione piastra metallica dell'Antenna Mac mini 2018

Stripped all of those screws instantly. Anyone know how to fix that so I can finish the upgrade?

The RED screws are Torx T7H and the YELLOW are Torx T6H from their toolkit. fyi.

I used a TR6 (Torx security with the hollowed tip, as per the ifixit instructions) on both the “red” and “yellow screws”, Mini 2020 model.

Also, the red ones had a small amount of blue stuff (thread compound?) around the threads, which made it slightly trickier to reinsert them straight. No big problem though

Make sure you have decent quality screwdriver for the T6 security screws. I bought a crappy one from Amazon that wore out after turning three screws.

In my case with a Mac mini 2020, all 6 screws were T7H.

Bei mir ging es nur mit einen T7 Torx Schraubendreher (MacMini2018)

This is the third MacMini that I have done some kind of upgrade. The first two were circa 2012. One thing I learned after the first one is to make sure I kept the little tiny screws (LTS) in the right place and segregated for each step of the process. So, what I do now is print the image (from this guide) of the step which requires removal of the LTS and as I remove each one I tape the LTS with a piece of Scotch tape on to the page with the image where it needs to be reattached. It makes it so much easier to reassemble the unit. The time required as listed is a bit understated. I just finished upgrading the memory chips on the 2018 MacMini and it took me one hour and 10 minutes from start to finish. Hope this tip helps.

Intel Mac Mini, purchased June 2021. All screws were TR6 Torx

Intel Mac mini, purchased in April 2021. All screws were TR6 Torx too.

This is the most delicate part of replacing the RAM. Be very care full when open the lid and removing the WiFi connector.

I have only ever cursed Apple a couple of times (as opposed to the several million times for Microsoft!), and this was one of them. That damned antenna screw, putting it back in was a trial of patience and perseverance.

It is a tiny tiny tiny screw. The shaft is as short as the head itself.

One trick for putting the screw back in is to mount it to the screw driver first. Then wrap tape around both. There's not much screw head for the tape to stick to, but it doesn't need much because it is so light. The tape comes out with the screwdriver as soon as the screw is partially threaded.

The cable connector socket is ridiculously fragile. Be extremely careful to apply pressure exactly as shown in the Step 6 photo (zoom in for a better look) — which is to say, on the metal wire clamp away from the connector. I used a spudger, but must have caught the socket on the logic board, because the whole assembly snapped off. Have successfully done this sort of disconnection a number of times on previous Mini models, but it’s far more delicate on this model — access and visibility are limited, so be very careful.

Totally agree with Michael above. Re-connecting the antenna was the most fiddly part of the entire operation. First connecting it and secondly lining up the small guide plate where the screw keeps everything in place.

My tip would be that the connector isn’t particularly difficult as such. It’s just very small.

It is at the top of the cable so line that up. When it is lined up some gentle pushing secures it in place. Definitely don’t try to force it as it looks easily damaged. Like everything, when it’s lined up it’ll be easy and you’ll know it’s all good hearing and feeling it gently fasten.

The screw was easier by comparison. After a couple of attempts the hole was visible enough and it took the screw.

I found it easier to move the antenna plate (instead of the connector) until the connector was over the socket, and then gently push down with my finger until there was a clear click. The same strategy helped me get the metal tab correctly positioned over the hole.

I found lining the antenna up with the socket and using a spudger was easier than tweezers.

I agree 100%. To remove the antenna was a little difficult. The cable was underneath that heat tube. But for me it was very difficult to reconnect that antenna. It took me long time trying to align the connector. It’s most likely because of the tight confinement of that connector.

Getting antenna back on was the most difficult of the whole operation. Rescrewing connector first helped align the socket.

When I disconnected the antenna, a small foam block popped out with it. What is this and do I need to put it back?

The solder joint broke while I was putting back the antenna. nevertheless I screwed it back on and placed it in the initial position as if nothing had happened. I prayed very hard that it worked.

Well, this had no impact on the quality of WiFi reception. Oo'

I guess I got lucky. This part of the reassembly disassembly is really very delicate. Everything else is a piece of cake.

I slipped a small hook under the cable and gently worked it off. Definitely a little nerve wracking based on the posts here. When placing it back, I also partially screwed the clip down which I believe made it easier to reattach. But still getting the antenna to "pop" back into the socket was tedious and more complex than expected. Appreciate Alex's comment above

Tried to access the clips holding the cable to the antenna plate, and pulled the socket off the board. I just broke something I have used once. Guess I will continue using Ethernet.