Upgrading 2013-2015 Macbook Pro SSD to M.2 NVMe

[wawon]

Thanks for the suggestion. The blue cover is tape I put on, it's quite thin and not the reason the adapter doesn't fit I'm afraid.

I understood.
Since it is not assumed that such an SSD adapter is used in the original housing design, there is not enough dimension margin (thickness direction margin). Every model has a small margin. Depending on the connection, the bottom cover made of aluminum may be held down with a fixing screw, but I don't think that the screw cannot be closed.

 

[guho]

I understood.
Since it is not assumed that such an SSD adapter is used in the original housing design, there is not enough dimension margin (thickness direction margin). Every model has a small margin. Depending on the connection, the bottom cover made of aluminum may be held down with a fixing screw, but I don't think that the screw cannot be closed.

What is the benefit of the long adapter? I have Samsung PM961 with short Sintech https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adap...words=sintech&qid=1567344389&s=gateway&sr=8-7

in my 2015 Macbook Pro 13 and it fits great. Why doesn't eveyone use the small sintech adapter for their SSDs?

 

[wawon]

What is the benefit of the long adapter? I have Samsung PM961 with short Sintech https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adap...words=sintech&qid=1567344389&s=gateway&sr=8-7

in my 2015 Macbook Pro 13 and it fits great. Why doesn't eveyone use the small sintech adapter for their SSDs?

This is my opinion:

ST-NGFF2013-B (short green)
Since only one side is fixed, poor contact is likely to occur. It is better to fill the gap between adapter and logic board so that the adapter and SSD are parallel. Wide application range for SSD, can be used for all SSDs. The gap with the bottom cover is relatively easy to secure. Slightly low price.

ST-NGFF2013-C (long black)
Since both sides are fixed, poor contact is unlikely to occur. If it is not a single-sided SSD, the adapter will contact the chip on the SSD. The gap with the bottom cover is not easy to secure. Slightly high price.

I tried using both, now I use ST-NGFF2013-B.

 

[aidanw]

Has anyone changed from a mid-2014 MBPR 15" to an early-2015 MBPR 15" because of the need to flash the chip?
I've got a mid-2014 MBPR 15" and quite keen for the 1TB storage option. The price difference between mid-2014 and early-2015 second-hand seems barely noticeable, perhaps because the 2015 ones have the battery recall.

I don't have access to another macbook so flashing the chip is out of the question unfortunately for me.

 

[DmitryZ]

Has anyone changed from a mid-2014 MBPR 15" to an early-2015 MBPR 15" because of the need to flash the chip?
I've got a mid-2014 MBPR 15" and quite keen for the 1TB storage option. The price difference between mid-2014 and early-2015 second-hand seems barely noticeable, perhaps because the 2015 ones have the battery recall.

I don't have access to another macbook so flashing the chip is out of the question unfortunately for me.

Hi =) I have MBP 15 mid 2014. Yes, you need flash your efi-chip, if you want have working correctly hibernation/sleep. Another variant - you can buy MattCard for you MBP and flash efi-chip on MattCard's chip and then install it to MBP motherboard - for this variant you can use only one (your) MBP+sop 8 clip+CH341A Pro. Good luck =)

 

[aidanw]

Hi =) I have MBP 15 mid 2014. Yes, you need flash your efi-chip, if you want have working correctly hibernation/sleep. Another variant - you can buy MattCard for you MBP and flash efi-chip on MattCard's chip and then install it to MBP motherboard - for this varian you can use only one (your) MBP+sop 8 clip+CH341A Pro. Good luck =)

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I do want working hibernation. I'll go the route of buying a CH341A, as the MattCard starts pushing the cost. There are cheap kits on ebay.
It looks like I can complete the flash using a Windows laptop.

One question, the firmware is mentioned as being available in the macOS installation media. Is this the media I can prepare by downloading Mojave for use on a bootable USB?

 

[tiagocoelho]

Has anyone had any success using a Mattcard with the updated DXE driver for the 2013/14 Macbook Pro's?

Happy to pay for it, as I think it'll be easier and cheaper than purchasing the programmer and necessary wiring, however, I can't seem to find one with the preloaded DXE driver.

I've looked here, but I can't find any reference to the updated driver. I've also emailed the CMIzipper team directly, but haven't received a response.

Hibernation is a must for me, so any help would be much appreciated!

 

[DmitryZ]

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I do want working hibernation. I'll go the route of buying a CH341A, as the MattCard starts pushing the cost. There are cheap kits on ebay.
It looks like I can complete the flash using a Windows laptop.

One question, the firmware is mentioned as being available in the macOS installation media. Is this the media I can prepare by downloading Mojave for use on a bootable USB?

1. I bought MattCard on their CMIzapper site. Everything working fine.
2. Path for correctly using MattCard: Receive letter with card from post-office -> read/backup information from MattCard -> create your efi-backup from your working macOS on your laptop -> patch your efi-backup -> write patched efi-backup to MattCard -> install card to your laptop. You can complete all of this steps without any directional computers - every steps can be completed on your upgradable laptop. Please, read this instruction for more details https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/page-65#post-26224320
[doublepost=1567448425][/doublepost]

Has anyone had any success using a Mattcard with the updated DXE driver for the 2013/14 Macbook Pro's?

I've looked here, but I can't find any reference to the updated driver. I've also emailed the CMIzipper team directly, but haven't received a response.

Hibernation is a must for me, so any help would be much appreciated!

Hi. You should create efi-backup from your upgradable laptop and update this backup with driver from MBP 15 2015. It's not very difficult, I can help you with patch your backup. But, first of all, read this instruction for more details https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/page-65#post-26224320.
p.s. 1. I install MattCard with patched backup to MBP 15 mid 2014 two month ago - all (and hibernation) working perfect. 2. You need buy sop 8 clip+CH341A Pro for flashing MattCard OR j6100 flashing cable+CH341A Pro for flashing efi-card on your motherboard(need another working laptop)

 

[xuzhimin1993]

What is the benefit of the long adapter? I have Samsung PM961 with short Sintech https://www.amazon.com/Sintech-Adap...words=sintech&qid=1567344389&s=gateway&sr=8-7

in my 2015 Macbook Pro 13 and it fits great. Why doesn't eveyone use the small sintech adapter for their SSDs?

Hello, I am also macbook pro 13 inch early 2015, I want to replace ssd, can you tell me that ssd has no hibernation and bootcamp problem

 

[tiagocoelho]

Hi. You should create efi-backup from your upgradable laptop and update this backup with driver from MBP 15 2015. It's not very difficult, I can help you with patch your backup. But, first of all, read this instruction for more details https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/page-65#post-26224320.
p.s. 1. I install MattCard with patched backup to MBP 15 mid 2014 two month ago - all (and hibernation) working perfect. 2. You need buy sop 8 clip+CH341A Pro for flashing MattCard OR j6100 flashing cable+CH341A Pro for flashing efi-card on your motherboard(need another working laptop)

Thanks for your help! I think I might get the j6100 flashing cable+CH341A Pro for flashing efi-card now instead. Do you know if the patched Boot ROM would ever be overwritten with updates? Or would patching prevent future updates?

Thanks again

 

[DmitryZ]

Do you know if the patched Boot ROM would ever be overwritten with updates? Or would patching prevent future updates?

Good question =) Just as I know that Boot ROM can't be update to new version if you use non-Apple ssd-drive. That's mean - you can't receive any actual Boot ROM updates, but you can install your Apple SSD, receive actual Boot ROM and implement patch + flash it again. Something like this, lol =)

 

[a-maxime]

1. I bought MattCard on their CMIzapper site. Everything working fine.
2. Path for correctly using MattCard: Receive letter with card from post-office -> read/backup information from MattCard -> create your efi-backup from your working macOS on your laptop -> patch your efi-backup -> write patched efi-backup to MattCard -> install card to your laptop. You can complete all of this steps without any directional computers - every steps can be completed on your upgradable laptop. Please, read this instruction for more details https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/page-65#post-26224320
[doublepost=1567448425][/doublepost]

Hi. You should create efi-backup from your upgradable laptop and update this backup with driver from MBP 15 2015. It's not very difficult, I can help you with patch your backup. But, first of all, read this instruction for more details https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/page-65#post-26224320.
p.s. 1. I install MattCard with patched backup to MBP 15 mid 2014 two month ago - all (and hibernation) working perfect. 2. You need buy sop 8 clip+CH341A Pro for flashing MattCard OR j6100 flashing cable+CH341A Pro for flashing efi-card on your motherboard(need another working laptop)

Hey, I’m still trying to figure out how to find a MBP 15 2015 firmware. Do you have any clue ?

 

[Ste!n]

Planning on upgrading my SSD in my early 2015 Macbook Pro 13'', I already got the adapter (short one), But im a little bit stuck on choosing the right ssd. Which one do you guys recommend? I want a 500GB or 1TB disk, which does not get too hot and drains the battery.

Hope anyone could help me out!

 

[DmitryZ]

Hey, I’m still trying to figure out how to find a MBP 15 2015 firmware. Do you have any clue ?

Here instruction with all details. Please, add any questions after reading this instruction.
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/page-65#post-26224320
[doublepost=1567531409][/doublepost]

Which one do you guys recommend? I want a 500GB or 1TB disk, which does not get too hot and drains the battery.

Hope anyone could help me out!

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/upgrading-2013-2014-macbook-pro-ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/
This post contain ssd rating table - you can choose any according to price, power and speed.

 

[a-maxime]

Here instruction with all details. Please, add any questions after reading this instruction.
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/page-65#post-26224320

Hi,

I’ve already read it and studied multiple times and that’s why I’m asking here because I can’t find the answer I’m looking for on it. Here’s is my original post so you can see the real point of my question :

Hey everyone,

After quite a long reading of different forums and the tutorial from @Cmd+Q, I choose to try it myself on my MBP 15" Late 2013. So here what I have currently.

Macbook Pro 11,2 default setup (256 GB SSD, 8GB RAM, i7 @ 2Ghz)
Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C Adapter (the long one)
Sabrent Rocket 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD
MacBook EFI Cable
CH341A Programer
Other things (Screwdrivers, Katpon Tape)

Well, from what I read, I have everything that I'll need. The only thing I don't find is how to get Macbook Pro 2015 11,4 firmware ? I didn't find it at all, and I know sharing it is forbidden. My only question is : how to get it except having a friend with a 2015 MBP ?

Thanks a lot in advance ^^

 

[gingerdude]

What have you changed to avoid issues you mentionner earlier on this thread ?



I think that @gingerdude looked into it and didn’t notice any significant change sadly

Correct. I took the latest ROM bundled with the 10.4.6 Supplemental update using the methods described in this forum somewhere and compared the contents of that driver in the firmware. The sizes of the 2014 were still significantly smaller than the sizes of the 2015 just as in the past. I would imagine they would be similar if the issue was resolved.

Edit: Totally missed the first question sorry!

All I have done is get a short sintech and a HP EX950, get a programmer/chip clip, and write the modified firmware directly to the board. Everything else seems to work.

I'm currently migrating my information over, as I decided to rebuild both Mac and Win from scratch versus just cloning just to have a fresh start. If I run into any issues I will report back.

 

[gingerdude]

You don't need a Mac to flash the chip. You can use Linux. I also think Windows works?

Flashing the chip was super easy with the programmer/clip and it only cost $12. If you screw up you can always flash back the old ROM, which you should always have a safe backup of. The software won't read/write the chip until it goes through several verification checks of the programmer and the connection to the chip. It's hard to screw it up.

However, on my computer (15" Mid 2014) you don't have to take the board out. Just remove the back cover and locate the small chip close to the battery connector. If yours requires disassembly each time you want to flash that's risky and annoying. You might consider the Matt card then.

I was originally hesitant to flash the board directly, but decided against the Matt card because of the cost. You would eventually have to buy the same programmer and clip to program the Matt card if you ever wanted to update your ROM on the card anyways. Flashing the Matt card would be done in the exact same way.

 

[kj510]

My MBP 15 2014 mid with Sintec black short/970 Evo started to have DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION error on Bootacamp W10 after patching KB4512941. I researched on web for possible solution but none of them worked.

But after uninstalling KB4512941, the error disappeared. I just thought someone else her is experiencing the same issue and it would help. I used wushowhide.diagcab to delete KB4512941 from updating list.

 

[cyonix]

I extract the MBP112.scap and the MBP114.fd from Firmware pkg, but if I open the scap file with UEFI Tool, it looks a way different to the .fd file. I have to make a backup of current rom with the programmer chip?

Here instruction with all details. Please, add any questions after reading this instruction.
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/page-65#post-26224320
[doublepost=1567531409][/doublepost]
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/upgrading-2013-2014-macbook-pro-ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/
This post contain ssd rating table - you can choose any according to price, power and speed.

 

[MauriceG]

Amazing discussion about upgrading the Mac. Thank you! Millions of credit for all the information and effort to all.

I would like to upgrade my MBP 2015 13 inch with the New Kingston A2000 SSD.
I have read that it’s compatible. However, I cannot find any user experiences.
The reasons for selecting this model are:
- low price, good brand
- low power usage (for a TLC type)
- good performance
Could anybody please share his/her experience?

I also have another question (or hypothesis). Since this Macbook only supports PCI 2.0 , would upgrading to an SSD with a better performance than the A2000 result in a better performance? (Meaning: isn’t it overkill to buy an expensive SSD for a Mac that doesn’t support PCI 3 and/or 4 lanes since the Mac cannot, due to PCIe bus limitations, keep up with the SSD; and from an power consumption point of view it might also be undesirable since fast SSDs tend to consume more power).
(In this case: less is more...)

 

[vince22]

Planning on upgrading my SSD in my early 2015 Macbook Pro 13'', I already got the adapter (short one), But im a little bit stuck on choosing the right ssd. Which one do you guys recommend? I want a 500GB or 1TB disk, which does not get too hot and drains the battery.

Hope anyone could help me out!

just bought early 2015 MBP 13" as well, i will be using Sabrent 1Tb (preferred lower power ) with shorter Sintech adapter.

 

[a-maxime]

You don't need a Mac to flash the chip. You can use Linux. I also think Windows works?

Flashing the chip was super easy with the programmer/clip and it only cost $12. If you screw up you can always flash back the old ROM, which you should always have a safe backup of. The software won't read/write the chip until it goes through several verification checks of the programmer and the connection to the chip. It's hard to screw it up.

However, on my computer (15" Mid 2014) you don't have to take the board out. Just remove the back cover and locate the small chip close to the battery connector. If yours requires disassembly each time you want to flash that's risky and annoying. You might consider the Matt card then.

I was originally hesitant to flash the board directly, but decided against the Matt card because of the cost. You would eventually have to buy the same programmer and clip to program the Matt card if you ever wanted to update your ROM on the card anyways. Flashing the Matt card would be done in the exact same way.

Hi,

Thanks for you answer, I'll be flashing it also really soon. I have a 15" Late 2013, and the connector is located on the same place than yours. I understand the fresh start, I might be doing it to keep up with performances as it is the same backup since 2013 on mine. I just have one question but no one answered it yet : how did you find the 2015 donor firmware ?

Hey everyone,

After quite a long reading of different forums and the tutorial from @Cmd+Q, I choose to try it myself on my MBP 15" Late 2013. So here what I have currently.

Macbook Pro 11,2 default setup (256 GB SSD, 8GB RAM, i7 @ 2Ghz)
Sintech ST-NGFF2013-C Adapter (the long one)
Sabrent Rocket 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD
MacBook EFI Cable
CH341A Programer
Other things (Screwdrivers, Katpon Tape)

Well, from what I read, I have everything that I'll need. The only thing I don't find is how to get Macbook Pro 2015 11,4 firmware ? I didn't find it at all, and I know sharing it is forbidden. My only question is : how to get it except having a friend with a 2015 MBP ?

Thanks a lot in advance ^^

 

[DmitryZ]

I extract the MBP112.scap and the MBP114.fd from Firmware pkg, but if I open the scap file with UEFI Tool, it looks a way different to the .fd file. I have to make a backup of current rom with the programmer chip?

Yes, You need only your efi-backup from your laptop ("I have to make a backup of current rom with the programmer chip?") and the MBP114.fd from Firmware.pkg. Insert patch from MBP114.fd to your backup.

p.s. Please save original efi-backup to safe place =)

Hi,
how did you find the 2015 donor firmware ?

p.s. I add patch from FirmwareUpdate.pkg (MBP114.fd) to this message. Please add patch to your efi-backup (unzip first). p.s. Please save original efi-backup to safe place =)
I'm not to be held in charge for the use of this software with illicit aims or broken your hardware.

Instruction for future. This post contain instruction and say next:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ssd-to-m-2-nvme.2034976/page-65#post-26224320

"

1. macOS Installation Media
   • The installation media contains the 2015 MacBook donor firmware with the update NVMe driver
2. • Extract the system firmware update from macOS Installation Media
     • Mount the InstallESD.dmg on the installation media in the folder Contents/SharedSupport
       In the InstallESD.dmg image, locate the Packages/FirmwareUpdate.pkg package
       
       Open the FirmwareUpdate.pkg file with Pacifist or The Archive Browser and open the enclosed Scripts archive
       
       
       • Open the Scripts archive inside the Scripts archive
         • The Archive Browser automatically opens up these archives
   • Extract the appropriate firmware update from Tools/EFIPayloads in the Scripts archive for the 2015 MacBook equivalent of the 2013-2014 MacBook you are upgrading
     • The following file are included with macOS 10.13.5 “High Sierra” (10.14.6 actual)
       • MBP114_0183_B00.fd for the 2015 MacBook Pro (MBP114.fd actual for 10.14.6)

"

 

[guho]

Hello, I am also macbook pro 13 inch early 2015, I want to replace ssd, can you tell me that ssd has no hibernation and bootcamp problem

I primarily use Bootcamp. No problems. I understand the EFI hibernation problems occurred in 2014 or older macs when upgrading to non-official NVME SSDs.

 

[guho]

Planning on upgrading my SSD in my early 2015 Macbook Pro 13'', I already got the adapter (short one), But im a little bit stuck on choosing the right ssd. Which one do you guys recommend? I want a 500GB or 1TB disk, which does not get too hot and drains the battery.

Hope anyone could help me out!

I got pm961 1TB in mine. 970evo 1TB is also a solid choice in my opinion.