Is it possible to replace the hard drive on your MacBook Pro?
Before you replace the hard drive on your MacBook, it is important to clarify whether an exchange is even feasible. Owners of 2008 (Late) to 2012 (Mid) MacBooks can breathe easy. Apple still used the so-called “unibody” design for these devices, which allows the hard drive to be replaced without any problems. Common 2.5 inch SSD hard drives fit into all Uniboby Macbooks. If you remove the optical drive, you can even install two hard drives.
If you have a MacBook with a retina display instead, the replacement will be more difficult because different adapters have to be used depending on the model year. We would like to recommend that you contact a service provider to replace the MacBook hard drive, since a certain level of specialist knowledge is required for the conversion. However, an exchange can also be carried out on most Retina MacBooks.
- MacBook Pro Retina between late 2013 and mid 2015: Exchange of the NVMe SSDs possible
- MacBook Pro Retina between mid 2012 and early 2013 (with normal M2. or mSATA): exchange for SSD possible
- MacBook Pro Retina from 2016 and 2017 with function keys instead of touch bar: exchange possible
- With all other MacBook Pro models, replacing the built-in SSD hard drive is unfortunately impossible
Changing the MacBook Pro hard drive: The preparation
Before changing the hard drive of your MacBook Pro, it is advisable to first transfer the data from the old hard drive to the new one. If you want to transfer the entire content, then clone the hard drive.
This makes sense because you have to set up the operating system again if you change the hard disk. Then shut down the MacBook and unplug it.
MacBook: Unscrew and change hard drive
- Turn the device over and use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the back of the MacBook from the case.
- Before you unscrew the hard drive, you should pull out the battery connector. This is the largest connector on the logic board side. Unplug it to avoid a short circuit.
- Now lift the frame of the hard drive and pull the tab under the hard drive to push it out.
- Unplug the hard drive and unscrew it from its cage. Now turn the new hard disk into the cage and possibly attach the flag to the underside of the new disk.
- Reconnect the hard drive cable and secure the hard drive securely in its frame. Plug in the battery connector and screw on the MacBook properly.
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