Mac Repair London carries out liquid damage repair on the MacBook Air Retina (2018–2020, Intel) from our Central London workshop, for home users and businesses.
Spills get into the keyboard and onto the logic board, and the T2 models are sensitive to power-circuit damage. Switch it off and bring it in. We clean, repair and test the board, and replace the top case if the keyboard is damaged.
The T2 chip in these Airs is sensitive to damaged power rails. After a spill, a Mac that shows a black screen but has a warm base usually needs board attention quickly.
About this model: The Retina MacBook Air from 2018–2020 (A1932 and A2179) has the T2 chip, soldered storage and memory, and a battery glued in place. The 2018–2019 A1932 has the butterfly keyboard; the 2020 A2179 has the more reliable scissor keyboard.
Signs it needs liquid damage repair
- Won’t turn on after a spill
- Keys not working
- Charging fault
- Corrosion
How we do it
If you’ve just spilled something: switch the Mac off, unplug it, don’t try to turn it on or charge it to ‘check’, and don’t put it in rice. Corrosion keeps spreading while there’s power on the board.
The logic board comes out and goes through an ultrasonic clean, which reaches residue under chips that a brush can’t. We then trace corrosion with a microscope, replace damaged parts and test the rest of the machine piece by piece.
On this model the keyboard is part of the top case, so if it’s damaged we’ll quote for the top case as a separate item so you can decide.
At a glance
| Years | 2018–2020 |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i3/i5/i7, T2 |
| Storage | Soldered to the logic board |
| Memory | Soldered to the logic board |
| Battery | Held with adhesive |
| Power / charging | Two Thunderbolt 3 ports |
Before you bring it in
Even if it seems fine after drying, bring it in: corrosion can take days or weeks to cause a failure. Let us know when the spill happened and what the drink was.
Which model do you have?
This page covers the MacBook Air Retina 13-inch (2018–2020, Intel) (MacBookAir8,1 / 8,2 / 9,1; A1932, A2179). The A-number is printed in tiny text on the base, near the hinge. You’ll also find the model in Apple menu > About This Mac. Not sure? Bring it in and we’ll identify it for you.
Price
From £165 + VAT for non-complex board repairs. Complex repairs (liquid, lightning or GPU faults) from £285 + VAT. The initial assessment and advice are free, as long as we don't need to open your Mac. If a technician needs to open it and spend time diagnosing the fault, or you need a report for an insurance claim, it is booked in as a diagnostic at £45 + VAT (£54). All prices are subject to inspection, and nothing is done without your approval.
Questions we’re often asked
It seems fine after drying out. Do I still need a repair?
It’s worth a check. Corrosion can take days or weeks to cause a failure, and cleaning the board early stops it spreading.
Does the battery need replacing too?
Not always. On this model the battery is held with adhesive in the top case, so we test it first and only quote for it if it’s worn or damaged.