Read data from unencrypted SSD removed from 2013 MacBook Pro via external enclosure?

[jdvoracek]

Has anyone removed the APFS formatted SSD from a 2013 or similar vintage MacBook Pro and successfully read it in an external enclosure (via thunderbolt or usb)? I know the SSD can be mounted in an external enclosure and re-formatted, but I want to extract the existing (unencrypted) data. Thanks for reading!

 

[Fishrrman]

I believe that Other World Computing has an enclosure that will fit (Apple drives use a proprietary connector design).

But's it not cheap -- around $75.
Is the data worth that much to you?

 

[jdvoracek]

I emailed their customer support yesterday asking if I could read an existing SSD with their enclosure (as opposed to reformatting the SSD first), and hopefully they will reply soon.

Yes.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

I own this enclosure and have done this, yes. It’s the point of the enclosure.

 

[jdvoracek]

I own this enclosure and have done this, yes. It’s the point of the enclosure.

Oh man, thank you so much!

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

The format of the drive shouldn’t matter (though if it’s having mounting issues, APFS may be a problem, but that’s not an enclosure issue) but it must be an Apple OEM SSD. For whatever reason, OWC’s own drives cannot be used in it.
On the off chance you’re in Toronto, I can even loan mine.

 

[jdvoracek]

The format of the drive shouldn’t matter (though if it’s having mounting issues, APFS may be a problem, but that’s not an enclosure issue) but it must be an Apple OEM SSD. For whatever reason, OWC’s own drives cannot be used in it.
On the off chance you’re in Toronto, I can even loan mine.

Success! Thank you!

This (late) 2013 MacBook Pro came with a 512 GB SSD. A few years later it was upgraded to 2 TB using a Samsung EVO 970 SSD and an adapter (shown). The adapter allows a standard M.2 connector SSD to be used with Apple's proprietary SSD socket.

When I called OWC support, we discussed this. OWC makes external enclosures for both standard and proprietary Apple M.2 connectors. I purchased the OWC ENVOY PRO EX WITH USB-C for $69.99, and installed the 2 TB Samsung M.2 (standard) SSD. My new MacBook M1Pro reads this APFS formatted SSD perfectly.

One caution noted by OWC: you cannot use this external enclosure to read APFS SSD's if connected with USB-C to USB cable or adapter. You must used USB-C to USB-C. Curious of course, I tried, and the MacBook mounted a volume called "UPDATE".