Finding an adapter or external caddy for a mid-2014 MacBook Pro SSD please

[nhudson]

Hi everyone, I've attempted to search a number of forums and search engines, but I'm still none the wiser for the exact item that I need.
I have an old Mid 2014 15 inch MacBook Pro, which until December 2024 was completely faultless. It now randomly shuts off, sometimes after minutes, sometimes after hours of use. The fans just go wild and 'puff' gone.

So Ive now got a new MacBook Pro and am trying to export my photos off the Mac, but it dies before it finishes, every time, without fail. Therefore, I think I'm needing to find some kind of external caddy for the SSD, but as I understand the SSD of that year is unique to Apple and I can't seem to find an external caddy for it, anywhere. I'm in the UK, so if anyone has any ideas of what it is I actually need and where I can get it, I would clearly be in your debt!

I greatly appreciate your time in reading this and any help you people can throw my way!

 

[weaztek]

It sounds like you're having kernel panics causing the overheat shutdowns. Maybe it's hardware related, maybe it's a software glitch.

If it were my project, I'd try to boot in safe mode (or as a different User) and see if that can prevent the shutdown. Also I'd maybe try to get the photos onto the new drive in batches instead of all at once. Anything to get get your task done so you can put the old computer behind you without spending more money on it.

 

[kschendel]

I think the mid 2014's used AHCI drives. Searching for "AHCI to USB enclosure" does turn up a few hits.

Your other option is to find someone with a mid 2014 (late 2013 might work also) MBP who is willing to let you swap in your drive long enough to get the data off it.

If and when you manage to successfully rescue your photos, your next step is to set up some sort of backup scheme, either locally or using a cloud backup service such as backblaze.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'll offer you another path to walk.
Going "my way" will not hurt anything, and may actually help.

First, you need to download CarbonCopyCloner from here:

Carbon Copy Cloner: macOS Backup Software - Bombich Software

bombich.com

You didn't tell us WHICH VERSION OF THE OS you have on the 2014 MPB.
That may impact what version of CCC you need (it's possible to download earlier versions)

IMPORTANT:
CCC is FREE to use for 30 days.
You can get done what you need to get done within the trial period.

You will also need an external drive.
An SSD is best for this...
But I believe a platter-based HDD will do if that's all you have.

What to do next:
Erase the external drive so that it's empty.
I will GUESS that you need to erase it to APFS, GUID partition format (and case INsensitive, if that issue comes up).

Now use CCC to "clone" the contents of the old MPB drive to the external drive.

IT DOESN'T MATTER if the computer shuts down intermittently.
Just let it cool (or whatever).
Then reboot and just start the CCC backup again.

CCC should "pick up where it left off", and keep trying until the clone is complete.

When complete, you can take the cloned backup and connect it to the NEW Mac.
It will "mount up" in the finder, just like any other disk.

Now you can copy files and folders from the cloned backup, just as you would do with any other drive.

SOMETHING IMPORTANT:
You will have to take steps to prevent permissions problems between the old and new Macs. Here's what to do:
1. mount the backup on the desktop
2. click ONE TIME on the drive icon to select it
3. bring up the "get info" box for the backup drive (type command-i)
4. at the bottom of the window, click the lock icon and enter the pasword you are using on the NEW Mac
5. put a checkmark into "ignore ownership on the volume" (sharing and permissions)
6. close get info

Now you can copy folders/files from the backup to the new drive, and the items you copy will "fall under the ownership" of your NEW account.

Good luck.
Doing it "my way" may save you the cost of buying an external enclosure for the old blade SSD that you may only use once...

 

[Bigwaff]

Therefore, I think I'm needing to find some kind of external caddy for the SSD, but as I understand the SSD of that year is unique to Apple and I can't seem to find an external caddy for it, anywhere.

Sorry.. not in UK... but this enclosure will work with your Apple SSD

OWC Envoy Pro 1A Portable Enclosure for Apple and OWC SSDs

Add your own Apple SSD from most 2013-2019 Mac models or select OWC SSDs, including Aura Pro X2, Aura N2, and more. Rugged, bus-powered, portable.

eshop.macsales.com