Q: how to reattach ir sensor cable to bracket in macbook pro 2012 after cable replacement

Have you checked YouTube tutorials?

Search iFixIt website. Their tutorials cover most Apple products.

If you pulled off the black cable to the right where it attaches to the board/bracket there is no fix. It's integral to the board. The solution would be a new bracket/HD cable. If it's the ZIF orange cable you open that connector by flipping up the lever at the bottom of the cable.

However it doesn't sound like that's the cable your detached.

On the other hand if you never use your remote it probably isn't a problem.

Otherwise the cable is here:

https://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Pro-13-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2012-Hard-D rive-Cable/IF163-041-1

So it's exactly like this one?  It's a late 2011 13".

I'll take some better pics.

OK here's the photo's I just took:

Here's the cable out and locking lever up.

Closeup of the cable using the finest tweezers I have, like dissecting tweezers.

Cable inserted and lever in locking position.

Be very careful, that cable is tiny and very easily damaged. This is called a ZIF connector (Zero Insertion Force - not exactly "zero force" but too much force and you'll be buying a new assembly.)

Like I said before all the ones I have here are exactly like this. I don't have your model but make sure it's exactly the same. Use at least 10X magnification.

That connector is very tiny.

Here's the tweezers I'm using:

as you can see the tips are about .2 mm wide.

OK those younger folks with the steady hands!

Glad to help out and happy it worked out.

Thanks for the checkmark!

I'm having the same problem here, i can't seem to attach the orange cable into the locking part. I have attached some pictures to see if anyone can shed some light on what I'm doing wrong?

I can lift the little black flap up, but it only goes back so far and i just can't see how the 2 go together.

I don't get why on mine i still have some black plastic at the end of the orange cable?

thanks