Being able to change or tweak the colors settings of a Macbook Air is probably one of the most wanted features, we’ve seen in questions and comments.
Even though this has been a feature that was introduced with the release of OS X El Capitan (10.11), the steps to change colors is not extremely easy and does not provide enough control for most users.
No wonder that many Macbook AIR users wonder and ask if changing the color of the keyboard light in Macbook Air computers is an option.
As a general guide, you can change the color of the MacBook keyboard. Although Apple does not provide an application or software to help with this, there is a way for you to change the keyboard color.
The procedure involves physically opening your keyboard. Therefore, you will need to have items like a screwdriver. Transparent colored plastic or color gel will also be required.
(Make sure to choose the colors you want) because these are the colors your keyboard will be changed into. The following are the steps to be carried out to change the color of the MacBook keyboard.
Step 1: Remove the backplate from the machine.
You begin by removing the backplate of your machine, this is done by unscrewing it. Make sure to keep all the screws in a safe place as they will be needed at the end. Pull the rear plate away from the computer with care and leave it aside for the time being.
Step 1.5: Disconnect the battery from the computer.
When changing the Macbook keyboard lighting setups, you will also need to disconnect the battery from your computer. This is so as not to run any risk of electric shock while working on the casing of the Macbook.
Make sure to locate and remove electrical connections and screws.
Once you have removed your laptop’s backplate, locate and remove the four screws that hold down the keyboard attached to your Macbook. This step is not mandatory but it would be great to remove the battery for you to work better.
It is entirely up to you whether or not you want to go the extra mile and remove the battery. To take it out, you’ll need a tri-wing screwdriver.
Step 2: Disconnect the display from the computer
Make sure the display is disconnected from your computer, make sure to move the display connector slowly in order to avoid damaging it.
Once you have disconnected your Mac’s display, pull up on both sides of the keyboard until it pops out. The connection between the keyboard and the computer is done with several cables which will need to be removed. You can do this by moving them slowly or by just lifting up on one side at a time.
Make sure to place the keyboard on a flat surface
Once you have removed the keyboard, place it on a clean and flat surface, you can use your desk or kitchen table.
Take the transparent colored plastic or color gel and place it over the keys of the keyboard.
The next step is to take your transparent colored plastic or color gel and place it over the keys of the keyboard. This will act as a protector for your new paint job and also as a barrier to keep the paint off your fingers.
Step 3: Remove the display bracket from the wall.
The display connection is held in place by a bracket located in the top right-hand corner of the computer, which you can see if you follow it through the computer. Remove the two Phillips screws from their sockets (Make sure to keep track of those screws). Remove the bracket from the wall and place it aside.
Step 4: Disconnect the speaker connection from the computer
Disconnect the hard drive, DVD drive, and trackpad from the computer. Connections with this appearance (shiny, flat, and black) are distinguished from other types of connections. They are all grouped together in the bottom left-hand corner of the logic board, directly close to each other.
Step 5: Disconnect the camera from the computer.
The camera connection is located near the subwoofer connection, on the right side of the optical (DVD) drive, and is easily accessible. This is delicate, so proceed with caution!
Pulling the cord towards the DVD drive will cause it to be pulled out of its socket. In order to prevent damage to the cable or socket during reassembly, make sure this socket is aligned with the connector before connecting them.
Step 6: Disconnect the Backlight Connector
On the right-hand side of the keyboard ribbon cable, you will see a little strip of black tape. This is where the keyboard ribbon cable is attached. Allowing the backlight connection to be shown by gently peeling this off.
Step 7: Disconnect the Battery Indicator Cable.
A little black connector is located to the right of the battery connection, and it is similar in appearance to the DVD and hard drive connections. Gentle prying upwards and towards you will provide the best results. Removing it from the socket is a simple process.
Step 8: Disconnect the microphone from the logic board.
A tiny microphone may be found in the top right-hand corner of the logic board, next to the display connector, on the logic board.
Remove the microphone from the adhesive using a spudger, and then lift it away from the logic board with a spudger.
Step 9: Disconnect the logic board from the computer.
A T6 Torx screwdriver is required in order to remove the logic board from the computer (yes, you REALLY do need one. Remove the logic board’s screws one at a time, keeping account of where they came from. They have to be replaced in the exact same location!
Step 10: Disconnect the DVD Drive
It’s time to take everything apart now that everything has been loosening up. Remove the DVD drive by unscrewing it. There are two little Phillips screws at the left-hand edge of the computer and one on the right-hand side of the DVD drive that you may use to secure the computer together. Remove the drive from the computer with care.
Then remove the Logic Board from the system.
Note: If you have not yet removed your battery and do not intend to do so, proceed with great caution while removing the logic board. There is a little section of it towards the bottom right-hand corner that lies under the plastic flap; if you don’t take care, you will bend or destroy the logic board in this area. Remove the logic board from the computer with care.
Step 11: Remove the Black Protective Film
You’ll need access to the keyboard now that the Macbook has been thoroughly savaged. The black film seems to be there to keep the other components of the keyboard in their proper positions. There are two sides to this item: one side is black and the other is white.
Gently peel back the black layer, being careful not to lose track of which direction it goes.
Step 12: Preparation of the Colorizer
The very first step is to trim your colorizer to the proper size for your project. It is sufficient to use a rectangular piece of paper that covers the space of your keyboard.
Place the colorizer over the plastic sheet and draw a line across the little rectangular holes to indicate where they are to be located.
The rectangular holes in your colorizer should now be in the same locations as the rectangular holes in the backing material for the keyboard.
Final Step: Installing the Colorizer
Installing the colorizer is straightforward, but it must be placed in the proper location. Remember how you pulled aside the black sheet and the plastic sheet with rectangular holes in it to reveal the white sheet underneath? The colorizer is located underneath all of that. The following is the list in ascending order from the bottom (nearest the keyboard) to the top (the black sheet).
Colorizer (at the bottom), Plastic Sheet (in the middle), and Black Sheet (at the top) (Top)
Please keep in mind that it is critical that you reinstall these components in their original orientation.
Put everything back together
Now that the colorizer has been installed, it is time to put your Macbook back together. To do this, reverse the steps outlined above.
