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Apple Silicon Soldered SSD Upgrade Thread

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The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.
Fero said:
Hi @dosdude1 if i have macbook air m2 512 gb with 2 nands and i want upgrade to 2tb i need only installing 2x blank HN3T3BAGCAX172 and thats all ? Or need i installing passive components ? Thanks 👍
Click to expand...
IF the MacBook has two nands to start with....then you are just replacing them with the larger capacity ones, you will not need any passive components for this type of upgrade.

models that came from factory with 1 nand (256GB m2 models) would certainly need the passive components.

as yours is 512GB you dont need to worry about it! just a simple chip swap and dfu restore
 
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I'm curious if anyone has done a speed benchmark comparison between different 315 nand modules? I ended up ordering Toshiba K5A5 which were more expensive than the Sandisk - so I presume the premium I am paying is worth it by at least 20% or more performance writes/read speeds but I am totally speculating at this point.

Will need to wait until my K5A5 arrive from China as I ordered mine from Taobao.
 
@dosdude1 I'll be attempting a mac mini upgrade early february as a hobby-ist. However, I can't for the life of me find the right info on solder paste for stencil use. Could you share what paste do you use or recommend? (i am in EU)

Also, is the only 1TB chip the K6B2 or are there other possible ones (1tb) for the M4?
Someone mentioned that the M4-pro chips work only with 3T3B (or 3T3D?) chips?

Cheers!
 
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islack said:
I'm curious if anyone has done a speed benchmark comparison between different 315 nand modules? I ended up ordering Toshiba K5A5 which were more expensive than the Sandisk - so I presume the premium I am paying is worth it by at least 20% or more performance writes/read speeds but I am totally speculating at this point.

Will need to wait until my K5A5 arrive from China as I ordered mine from Taobao.
Click to expand...
Which upgrade will you be doing with the K5A5 if I may ask? Also, is Taobao better than AliExpress for the nand's sourcing?
 
Pjeroff said:
Which upgrade will you be doing with the K5A5 if I may ask? Also, is Taobao better than AliExpress for the nand's sourcing?
Click to expand...
Taobao is not better than Aliexpress for US customers, primarily because Aliexpress guarantees delivery and most often than not there is a return policy.

Taobao you are running the dice, you have to research who you are buying from and then you need to have a chinese address and freight forwarder. Most often than not 7 day return policy on taobao purchases and you have to pay return shipping (Aliexpress first return a month is free IIRC).

If you have never bought on Taobao or imported your own stuff from China stay away from Taobao; you will be frustrated and will wait 4-6 weeks to receive your item (unless you pay for fedex which defeats the purpose of the savings you may get from taobao).
 
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Should I prefer 8T85K or KICM223 to upgrade a Macbook Air M1 to 2TB? Are there any differences apart from the manufacturer?
 
Am looking for trusted suppliers for the 2 chips am looking for. Bought a Mac Mini M4 for home sever, and a MBP M4 Pro for myself.

From my understanding the following chips are for the two devices:
M4 (mac mini): K6B2 -- Toshiba / Kioxia
M4 Pro: 3T3D -- SK Hynix

What's a "fair" price for 1x TB unit of each? And what are some trusted suppliers?
 
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Pjeroff said:
Am looking for trusted suppliers for the 2 chips am looking for. Bought a Mac Mini M4 for home sever, and a MBP M4 Pro for myself.

From my understanding the following chips are for the two devices:
M4 (mac mini): K6B2 -- Toshiba / Kioxia
M4 Pro: 3T3D -- SK Hynix

What's a "fair" price for 1x TB unit of each? And what are some trusted suppliers?
Click to expand...
K6b2 seem a bit expensive at the moment I’m assuming due to the current high demand. Get them delivered in the UK for about 70/80GBP each (sand disk alternative for the m4 is usually around the £50-£55 mark)

I used the cheaper Sandisk version and saved a few quid… works all the same. Maybe someone from polysoft can shed some light on what the differences are beyond the physical size.

The only thing I’m unsure of is the Hynix and the m4pro…. I remember watching a video when they released of a 4TB ssd upgrade on Mac mini m4pro and they just used k6b2 if I’m not mistaken.
 
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dosdude1 said:
In this thread, we intend to share all relevant details, resources, and processes involved with upgrading soldered storage on Apple Silicon Macs.

Notes
  • All M1 systems utilize BGA110 "S5E" NANDs
  • Some M2 systems use BGA110, while some use BGA315

Table of supported NAND configurations

SSD Size​
Disk Brand​
M1
BGA110
(A2337 13" MBA)
(A2338 13" MBP)
(A2348 Macmini)
(A2438 24" iMac)
(A2439 24" iMac)​
M1 Pro Max Ultra
BGA110
(A2442 14" MBP)
(A2485 16" MBP)
(A2615 Macstudio)​
M2
BGA110
(A2681 13" MBA)​
M2
BGA315
(A2941 15" MBA)
(A2686 Macmini)​
M2 Pro Max Ultra
BGA315
(A2779 14" MBP)
(A2780 16" MBP)
(A2901 Macstudio)
(A2786 MacPro)
A2787 Mac Pro)​
M3
BGA315
(A2873 24" iMac)
(A2874 24" iMac)
(A2992 14" MBP)
(A3113 13" MBA)
(A3114 15" MBA)​
M3
Pro Max
BGA315
(A2992 14" MBP)
(A2991 16" MBP)​
256GB​
Kioxia
Hynix
Sandisk​
1xKICM232/1xKICM225
2xHN3T0BA2CAX178
?​
X​
?
1xHN3T1BA4GAX170
?​
1xK5A4
?
?​
X​
2xK5A3
?
?​
X​
512GB​
Kioxia
Hynix
Sandisk​
1xKICM233/1xKICM227
2x
?​
1xKICM232/3xKICM225
?
?​
?
?
?​
2xK5A4
?
?​
2xK5A4
?
?​
2xK5A4
?
?​
2xK5A4
?
?​
1TB​
Kioxia
Hynix
Sandisk​
2xKICM229
2xH23B4T84K7AEQ
2xSDREGJHIH​
1xKICM233/3xKICM227
?
?​
?
?
?​
2xK5A5?
?
?​
4xK5A4
?
?​
2xK5A5
?
?​
?
?
?​
2TB​
Kioxia
Hynix
Sandisk​
2xKICM223
2xH23B8T85K7AFJ
2xSDSFGJLKH​
4xKICM229
4xH23B4T84K7AEQ?
4xSDREGJHIH​
2xKIC5228 2xHN3T3BAGCAX172
?​
2xK5A8?
?
?​
4xK5A5
?
?​
2xK5A8
?
?​
4xK5A5
?4xHN3T2DT8CAX83​
4TB​
Kioxia
Hynix
Sandisk​
X​
8xKICM229
8x23B4T84K7AEQ
8xSDREGJH1H​
X​
X​
8xK5A5
?
?​
X​
?
?
?​
8TB​
Kioxia
Hynix
Sandisk​
X​
8xKICM223
8xH23B8T85K7AFJ
8xSDSFGJLKH​
X​
X​
8xK5A8
?
?​
X​
?
?
?​

( table courtesy of @gilles_polysoft )​



  • Standard M1
    • 2TB: 2x KICM223
    • 1TB: 2x KICM229
  • M1 Pro/Max/Ultra:
    • 2TB: 4x KICM229
    • 4TB: 8x KICM229 (requires adding missing components to use other 4 NAND landing pads)
    • 8TB: 8x KICM223
Upgrading Process

To complete these upgrades most effectively, the best option is to try and locate brand new, "blank" chips to install. In such instance, all you need to do is solder on the new chips onto any NAND landing pad on the desired board, DFU restore, and that's it. Technically, only NAND0 (master NAND) needs to be blank, or in the case of utilizing an 8 NAND config on M1 Pro/Max/Ultra, the master NAND of each channel/port needs to be blank.

If you cannot locate blank chips, and don't have a matched pre-programmed set to simply transfer over, you will need to program them yourself before installation using JC P13 or P15 programmer. To do so, you will need appropriate dumps for your desired config, specific to the desired NANDs. This thread will also serve as a place to share such dumps. The dumps I have currently are linked below:
  • 2x KICM223 2TB config (for any standard M1 Mac, including MacBook Pro, Air, Mac Mini, etc. Tested and known working(courtesy of @gilles_polysoft)
  • 4x KICM229 2TB config (for any M1 Pro/Max/Ultra system. Untested, but includes dumps of known-blank chips, which may be usable to revert a programmed KICM229 back to a "blank" state)
For more info on the NAND replacement, programming, and addition of extra components to allow a previously unpopulated NAND landing pad to function, you can watch my video:

Click to expand...
Can you help me with A2681 schematic
dosdude1 said:
Actually working on an M2 upgrade right now. Removing the original chip was actually not that bad to do (didn’t touch any nearby components), but populating the missing components to allow use of the second NAND was quite a pain on this.

And for those wondering, no, KICM223 chips do NOT work on the M2... So now I am waiting on some different chips to finish this upgrade.

View attachment 2357564View attachment 2357565
Click to expand...
Can you guide me how to install 1 or 2 TB SSD in my MacBook Air A2681. In my Mac, 256 GB installed with 1 NAND. Need your help here to upgrade my storage, I’m India and not able to ship the laptop to other country for Upgrade as its cost me hell lot of money, so required your help please
 
Bassy_92 said:
K6b2 seem a bit expensive at the moment I’m assuming due to the current high demand. Get them delivered in the UK for about 70/80GBP each (sand disk alternative for the m4 is usually around the £50-£55 mark)

I used the cheaper Sandisk version and saved a few quid… works all the same. Maybe someone from polysoft can shed some light on what the differences are bound the physical size.

The only thing I’m unsure of is the Hynix and the m4pro…. I remember watching a video when they released of a 4TB ssd upgrade on Mac mini m4pro and they just used k6b2 if I’m not mistaken.
Click to expand...
for m4 pro my chinese supplier told me this is the nand model applicable
3T2D is 512gb each, x4 =2tb
3T3D is 1tb each, x4=4tb
 
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I, too, want to purchase a 1GB or 2GB module for my M1 Mac Studio. I missed the Kickstarter campaign. I posted there, but have not heard from them.

Is anybody else selling these modules?
 
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Only the Polysoft site, it says this:

"Even if you already own a 2TB card and would like to buy a 2TB to get 4TB, the two card must be both reprogrammed in order to work together." [ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/polysoftservices/studio-drive/faqs ]

I assume this also applies if you want to go 1 X 1 TB => 2 x 1 TB. Though it wouldn't work if you've got an OEM 4 TB Studio, since that's 2 x 2 TB, not 1 x 4 TB.

Out of curiosity, what does "reprogrammed" mean? It it beyond the DFU restore that, IIUC, all of these installations require?
 
theorist9 said:
Only the Polysoft site, it says this:

"Even if you already own a 2TB card and would like to buy a 2TB to get 4TB, the two card must be both reprogrammed in order to work together." [ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/polysoftservices/studio-drive/faqs ]

I assume this also applies if you want to go 1 X 1 TB => 2 x 1 TB. Though it wouldn't work if you've got an OEM 4 TB Studio, since that's 2 x 2 TB, not 1 x 4 TB.

Out of curiosity, what does "reprogrammed" mean? It it beyond the DFU restore that, IIUC, all of these installations require?
Click to expand...
2x1TB module is not a valid config, only 1x2TB is. The only 2-module (8-NAND) configs that are valid is 4TB and 8TB, which REQUIRE both modules. Basically if a 2TB module has been programmed as a set of 2x2TB for a 4TB config, you cannot use either of those 2TB modules by themselves in a 2TB config. This is only really an issue with 2TB modules, as they are the only ones that are used in both a single-module and dual-module config. 2x512GB modules and 2x1TB modules are not valid configs, likewise 1x4TB is also not a valid config.
 
dosdude1 said:
2x1TB module is not a valid config, only 1x2TB is.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the correction, I misread this list from their website:
"Configs supported by Apple are:
- 512GB with 1x 512GB card on the slot 00
- 1TB with 1x 1TB card on the slot 00
- 2TB with 1x 2TB card on the slot 00
- 4TB with 1x 2TB card on the slot 00 and 1x 2TB card on the slot 01
- 8TB with 1x 4TB card on the slot 00 and 1x 4TB card on the slot 01"
dosdude1 said:
Basically if a 2TB module has been programmed as a set of 2x2TB for a 4TB config, you cannot use either of those 2TB modules by themselves in a 2TB config. This is only really an issue with 2TB modules, as they are the only ones that are used in both a single-module and dual-module config. 2x512GB modules and 2x1TB modules are not valid configs, likewise 1x4TB is also not a valid config.
Click to expand...
OK, but that's not what I asked about. I'm not talking about using a 2 TB card from a 4 TB (2 x 2 TB) Studio.

I'm curious about the options if you have a 2 TB OEM Studio (1 x 2 TB) as the starting point. Polysoft says you can make it into a 4 TB Studio (2 x 2 TB) by buying a 2 TB card and reprogramming both: "....if you already own a 2TB card and would like to buy a 2TB to get 4TB, the two card must be both reprogrammed in order to work together."

Again, what's meant by 'reprogramming'? It it beyond the DFU restore that, IIUC, all of these installations require?

Or are you saying Polysoft's statement is wrong? I.e., that you can't make a 2 TB Studio into a 4 TB Studio by buying another 2 TB card and reprogramming the pair?
 
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theorist9 said:
Thanks for the correction, I misread this list from their website:
"Configs supported by Apple are:
- 512GB with 1x 512GB card on the slot 00
- 1TB with 1x 1TB card on the slot 00
- 2TB with 1x 2TB card on the slot 00
- 4TB with 1x 2TB card on the slot 00 and 1x 2TB card on the slot 01
- 8TB with 1x 4TB card on the slot 00 and 1x 4TB card on the slot 01"

OK, but that's not what I asked about. I'm not talking about using a 2 TB card from a 4 TB (2 x 2 TB) Studio.

I'm curious about the options if you have a 2 TB OEM Studio (1 x 2 TB) as the starting point. Polysoft says you can make it into a 4 TB Studio (2 x 2 TB) by buying a 2 TB card and reprogramming both: "....if you already own a 2TB card and would like to buy a 2TB to get 4TB, the two card must be both reprogrammed in order to work together."

Again, what's meant by 'reprogramming'? It it beyond the DFU restore that, IIUC, all of these installations require?

Or are you saying Polysoft's statement is wrong? I.e., that you can't make a 2 TB Studio into a 4 TB Studio by buying another 2 TB card and reprogramming the pair?
Click to expand...
These NANDs can only be programmed once. Once a set of NANDs is programmed for a 2x2TB module 4TB config, you cannot use them in any other config. The only exception to this is if you were to A, have a valid dump of those exact NAND chips in the desired config, and B, program said dumps onto the NAND chips using a JC P13/P15 programmer. So for all intents and purposes, no, you cannot re-use a module programmed for 1x2TB 2TB config in a 2x2TB 4TB config.
 
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