How to Upgrade a MacBook Pro With an SSD GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Computers, Laptops & Tablets > Apple

How to Upgrade a MacBook Pro With an SSD

Format the SSD, clone your HDD, and make an easy swap

By Yoona Wagener Yoona Wagener Writer, Commerce Editor Bowling Green State University Yoona Wagener is a tech editor and writer. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on August 21, 2021 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apple Macs iPad

What to Know

Open Disk Utility > select the SSD and choose Erase > rename it > click Erase again.Clone your HDD using cloning software or Disk Utility.Shut down your computer and swap the HDD with the new formatted SSD. This article explains how to upgrade a MacBook Pro with an SSD. These instructions apply to older, non-Retina MacBook Pros, but the MacBook Pro models from 2012-2015 have the ability to accept a new SSD as well.

Gather the Right Hardware

Before you begin, gather the following tools: A new SSD A T6 Torx screwdriver Philips #00 screwdriver SATA to USB cable Spudger tool

Format Your SSD

Before you can do anything with your new SSD, you need to format it. Attach your SSD to your MacBook Pro using a SATA to USB cable. If you see a popup message when you plug in your SSD warning about readability, select Initialize. Launch Disk Utility and look for your SSD under the External label in the left column. Choose Erase from the top row of options. In the dialog box, enter a new name and select macOS Extended (Journaled) and GUID Partition Table from the drop-down menus. Select Erase to format your SSD and ready it for use. When the formatting process finishes, click Done.

Clone Your Hard Drive With Cloning Software

As outlined below, after formatting your SSD, clone your Mac hard drive using Disk Utility or cloning software such as SuperDuper. Open SuperDuper and select your hard drive in the Copy drop-down menu, the new SSD in the to column, and Backup - all files from the using drop-down menu. After you make your selections, choose Copy Now. Select Copy to begin. A progress box will appear indicating when each phase of the process is complete. This could take a long time, depending on how much data you need to clone. Press OK when cloning completes. Your SSD now contains all your files and a bootable copy of macOS. You can eject it and power down your computer to begin the installation.

Remove the Internal HDD and Insert the SSD

Swap your internal HDD with a new SSD with these general steps. These images show the process on a MacBook Pro 13-inch, Mid-2012. The steps might vary depending on your model. Power off your MacBook Pro if you haven’t already done so. Turn your MacBook Pro upside down so the bottom case faces upright. Remove all of the screws using the Philips #00 screwdriver and gently remove the lid. Carefully set the screws aside in an orderly way so you can easily reattach them in the right spots later. Next, look for the battery connector above the battery. Use the spudger tool to work it away from the socket gently. Locate your hard drive and loosen (but don’t try to remove) the screws on the hard drive bracket at the top of the device. When loose enough, remove the bracket. Use the tab on the top of the hard drive to gently lift it up and away from the compartment. Transfer this adhesive tab to your new SSD in the same spot for easier handling. Remove the hard drive connector cable away from the left edge of the hard drive by gradually pulling it away from the device. Transfer the four T6 Torx screws (with the T6 Torx screwdriver) on each corner of your hard drive to your new SSD. Attach the connector cable to the SSD, place it back in the cradle, and secure the hard drive bracket. Put the battery connector firmly into the socket if you loosened it, and reattach the bottom lid of your laptop. If your MacBook Pro doesn’t boot up properly after the SSD upgrade, restart your computer while holding down Option and select your SSD as the startup disk.

Is a MacBook Pro SSD Upgradeable

Newer MacBook Pro models from 2016 with Retina displays and Touch Bars aren’t easily upgradeable, as the SSD is soldered on. If you want a hardware upgrade, your best bet is to contact Apple Support. The general process outlined above should work if you have an older MacBook Pro from 2015 and earlier. You can also consult the manufacturer of the SSD to make sure your MacBook Pro model is compatible.

Will an SSD Make My MacBook Pro Faster

SSDs are considerably faster, more efficient, and offer more durability than hard disk drives, which means upgrading your MacBook Pro’s HDD with a new SSD can make it feel almost brand new. If your MacBook boots and loads applications slowly, you’ll notice an instant improvement with an SSD. You could also see better battery performance and temperature regulation. FAQ Can I upgrade the SSD on a 2018 MacBook Pro? Unfortunately, no. 2018 MacBook Pro models come with the SSD, RAM, and graphics card soldered onto the motherboard, which means none of these elements are easily upgradeable. You could explore replacing the motherboard or upgrading to a newer MacBook Pro model with a larger SSD. Which MacBook Pro 13-inch models can have SSD upgrades? Most MacBook Pro 13-inch models from mid-2009 to 2015 with non-Retina displays can handle an SSD upgrade. If you're unsure which model you have, select the Apple menu and choose About this Mac to learn more. You can also consult this MacBook Pro upgrade guide for information about which 13-inch MacBook Pros are upgradeable by era.
Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Install an SSD in Your Laptop How to Upgrade the PS3 Hard Drive to Create More Space The 7 Best SSDs for MacBook Pro in 2022 How to Reset MacBook Air How to Install a Second SSD How to Format an SSD What Is a Hard Disk Drive? MacBook Pro Upgrade Guide How to Add Extra Storage to Steam Deck How to Install Windows 10 on a New Hard Drive How to Wipe Your MacBook Pro How to Reset Your MacBook or MacBook Pro How to Move Windows to SSD How to Make a MacBook Faster How to Use Disk Utility in macOS How to Reformat Your MacBook Pro Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies