Add 1TB SSD on a factory installed 500gb Flash Storage iMac.

[Torkilo]

Hi All,

Could not find this exact topic, so hope for some help.
I just got a 2015 21,5" Retina late 2015 iMac, 16gb ram and 500gb Flash Storage (APPLE SSD SM0512G).

Everything works really smooth. but I want an additional 1TB SSD as well, so 1TB + the 500GB original - is that possible?
I guess the 500gb does not take up space for a harddrive?

Thanks ahead,

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Hi All,

Could not find this exact topic, so hope for some help.
I just got a 2015 21,5" Retina late 2015 iMac, 16gb ram and 500gb Flash Storage (APPLE SSD SM0512G).

Everything works really smooth. but I want an additional 1TB SSD as well, so 1TB + the 500GB original - is that possible?
I guess the 500gb does not take up space for a harddrive?

Thanks ahead,

No, it doesn't.
However, the question is, do you have the SATA cable?

 

[AL2TEACH]

I took my iMac to a puter shop and had them install a 2TB SSD. Still happy. Same year as your iMac.

 

[Fishrrman]

Get an external USB enclosure.
Put the drive into it.
Plug it in.
That's all you'll need.

 

[DeltaMac]

There's two slots for internal storage in your 2015 21.5-inch iMac.
Flash storage (which you already have), is a PCIe SSD.
The other slot is for a standard SATA 2.5-inch drive, nothing in that slot, and would add the internal storage that you want, using an SATA 1TB SSD.
But, there's some risk involved in the upgrade - easy to break a connector, or accidentally drop the display panel while it has been removed. That would be part of why Fishrrman recommends simply using an external drive for adding storage.
You can review the steps for adding an internal drive. And, your iMac may not have the SATA cable (because your iMac did not come with a 2.5 drive, and is why Nguyen Duc Hieu asked about the cable.)
Review the steps for adding an SATA drive - https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+Retina+4K+Display+Hard+Drive+Replacement/64107
That may help you decide about doing it yourself (or leaving the internals alone, and using an external storage)

 

[NC_Bulldog]

There are numerous alternatives available. I have a Late 2013 21.5" iMac where I replaced the 500 GB Apple SSD that was installed on the motherboard with an OWC Aura Pro X2 500GB drive. (Depending on your budget these SSDs are available in larger sizes and are a simple swap.) The Apple 500 GB drive was moved into an OWC Envoy Pro USB3 external drive enclosure. I then added an OWC Mercury Pro 6G SATA 2.5" drive in the spot where SATA drives can be installed internally. The SSD cable from the motherboard probably isn't installed, but it can be purchased. One of the two bracket rails to hold the SATA drive probably isn't installed either. It too can be purchased along with the necessary screws to mount a 2.5" SATA drive.

This mod requires the removal of all internal components as mentioned earlier. It's highly recommended to let a computer shop handle it if you have any questions about your abilities.