Mac Mini M1 Teardown and Repair Guide

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OVERVIEW:

In this teardown tutorial, we walk you through the complete disassembly of the Apple M1 Mac Mini. Whether you’re replacing the cooling fan, power supply, or simply doing a deep clean, this guide outlines each precise step in great detail. We’ll identify common failure points, including the fan and power supply, and show how to properly disconnect and remove these components. Every tool and technique used is shown clearly to help you follow along without damaging your device. Let’s dive into this M1 Mac Mini teardown from top to bottom.

See official Apple specs for this model

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REPAIR TIME & SKILL LEVEL:

This repair is estimated to take about 1.5 HOURS to complete and is of INTERMEDIATE difficulty, requiring careful handling of internal cables and knowledge of Mac Mini internals.

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STEPS:

Tools You Need

For this repair, you will need a plastic pry tool to remove the base cover, a T6H security Torx screwdriver for the antenna plate screws, a T5 Torx screwdriver for fan and component removal, a T10 Torx for the logic board screws, and a plastic spudger for disconnecting delicate cables and clips safely.

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Remove Bottom Plate

• Flip the M1 Mac Mini upside down to expose the bottom.
• Use a plastic pry tool to pop off the base cover straight upward—no twisting necessary unlike previous models.
• Note the grooves where the plate used to slide into; this version now uses simple pop-in clips.

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Unscrew and Detach the Antenna Plate

• Use a T6H bit to remove the six screws: three flat and three standoff screws holding the antenna plate.
• Lift the plate carefully; note that it’s still connected via the Wi-Fi antenna cable.
• Locate the T5 screw securing the antenna cable and unscrew it to disconnect the antenna from the logic board.

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Examine Internal Layout

• Observe the internal speaker, logic board, heat sink, fan, and power supply inside the housing.
• Identify ribbon cables for the power button and front LED indicator for future disconnection steps.
• Confirm part locations before proceeding with removal.

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Remove Cooling Fan

• Use a T5 screwdriver to remove four screws securing the cooling fan.
• Carefully lift the fan and unplug the connector before fully removing the fan from the board.
• Recognize this as the most common failure point due to constant operation under heavy loads.

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Disconnect Front Power Indicator

• Locate the black ribbon cable running from the LED at the front of the Mac Mini.
• Gently unplug it from the logic board using a spudger or fingers.
• Set it aside or leave it in place if not being replaced.

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Prepare for Power Supply Removal

• Locate the large power connector on the board and the cable management grommet that secures it.
• It’s difficult to unplug directly; it’s recommended to remove the power supply first.
• Loosen the connector if possible, but avoid forcing it until the supply is detached.

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Unscrew the Power Supply

• Remove three T5 screws securing the power supply in its housing.
• Wiggle the power supply slightly to confirm it’s free, but note it can’t be fully removed yet due to logic board overlap.
• Move on to logic board loosening before final extraction.

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Loosen the Logic Board

• Use a T10 screwdriver to remove two screws that secure the logic board to the chassis.
• This will allow limited movement of the board necessary for removing the power supply.
• Be cautious of components still attached during this process.

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Unplug the Power Connector

• Use a spudger to carefully lift the tape covering the power connector.
• Gently push on either side of the plug until it disconnects from the logic board.
• Once unplugged, shift attention back to the power supply.

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Remove Standoffs to Free Power Supply

• Remove at least one standoff in the housing that obstructs power supply removal.
• This creates enough clearance to angle and slide out the power supply safely.
• Set the power supply aside after removal.

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Remove Retention Clip from Power Socket

• Identify the metal retention clip on the wall power socket.
• Remove the clip to free the socket for extraction.
• Rotate the plug sideways to align with housing slots and slide it out.

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Remove Internal Speaker

• Use a T5 screwdriver to remove two screws holding the speaker to the logic board.
• Lift the speaker and disconnect its small cable from the board.
• Set the speaker aside for reassembly or replacement.

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Disconnect Remaining Wi-Fi Antennas

• Unplug two remaining Wi-Fi antenna cables that connect near the rear I/O section.
• Use a spudger if needed to gently lift them without damage.
• Note that these antennas double as the rear I/O plate structure.

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Remove Rear I/O Screws

• Use a T5 screwdriver to remove four screws—two on each side—securing the I/O plate.
• These screws attach the plate to the heat sink underneath.
• Remove them carefully without stripping.

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Unplug Rear Power Button Cable

• Flip the board over and locate the power button lighting cable.
• Unplug the cable and gently peel it away from the logic board where it’s adhered.
• This will free the board from the I/O assembly.

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Detach Rear I/O Clips

• Use a spudger or fingers to undo clips securing the rear I/O cover from the top, sides, and bottom.
• Be patient; clips are delicate and tightly fitted.
• Remove the final T5 screw securing the I/O to the logic board.

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Remove Heat Sink Cover

• Use a T5 screwdriver to remove four screws hidden beneath tape covers securing the top part of the heat sink.
• Lift off the heat sink’s cover plate.
• This reveals the full heat sink and enables rear I/O removal.

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Detach Rear I/O and Antenna Assembly

• Slide out the entire rear I/O assembly, which includes a large Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antenna.
• Set it aside; this completes the rear teardown.
• Be careful not to bend the antenna or stress connectors during removal.

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(Optional) Remove CPU Heat Sink

• While not recommended, it’s technically possible to remove the graphite-based CPU heat sink.
• Doing so risks damaging the thermal interface, which is difficult to replace.
• Only remove this component if transferring to another unit and know the risks.

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CONCLUSION:

This complete teardown of the M1 Mac Mini exposes each major component, from the antenna plate to the logic board. With the right tools and patience, you can remove and replace faulty parts like the fan or power supply. The most common failure points are well covered, and care should be taken when unplugging small connectors. Although it’s a compact system, the M1 Mac Mini is repairable if approached methodically. Use this guide to keep your device running smoothly or to salvage parts from a non-functional unit.

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VIDEO TUTORIAL:

Looking for a more in-depth tutorial? Check out our complete teardown video for a detailed step-by-step walkthrough.

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MAIL-IN REPAIR SERVICE:

We offer professional screen replacement services. If you’re unsure about doing this repair yourself, send your device to our expert technicians for fast and reliable repair.

https://tekdep.com/device-repair/

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SHOP PARTS:

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SHOP TOOLS:

Using precision tools ensures a safe and efficient repair. Always use the right tools to prevent damage to delicate components. Our toolkit includes everything seen in this tutorial and more.

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HAVE QUESTIONS?

We’re here to help! Contact us:

• Phone: 818-456-4479
• Email: [email protected]

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