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

[Zackinthebox]

It turns out the drive I was wiping was my mounted Time Machine disk image 🤦‍♂️ I thought the name of the drive was strange...luckily had a second backup of that, so no loss there but lesson learned.

Should be no problem to restore P2 back to pristine state

With all network access disabled the drive doesn't actually mount at all in the external enclosure (which is brand new, arrived in the mail today to try to resolve this) so I'm unable to wipe and restore. But rather than derail this forum, it sounds like others have had success running 11.6 and I just screwed the pooch by interrupting the install.

BTW, can you confidently tell if you got the TLC or QLC version?

My best research shows it's the TLC variant, as it doesn't have the new markings on the label that the QLC one does and has 4 NAND flash packages as opposed to 2 in the QLC variant.

 

[shafez]

I initially had the P2 on 11.5, then encountered this issue when updating to 11.6. I've put the Apple SSD back in and was able to update that successfully to 11.6.

I'm sure you're right, I just interrupted the installation. I was able to get the drive to be discovered in an external enclosure, but I'm frequently getting partition table and unwritable errors. The update was taking so much longer than others that I figured it had frozen, but I think what actually happened is that since the P2 doesn't have a DRAM cache it was just slowing to a crawl during the install. When I updated using the Apple SSD, it flew through the update.

Here's to hoping I'm able to wipe the P2...

I have Crucial P2 512 in my late 2013 MBP and 11.6 upgrade worked fine and I have erased the P2 several times going back and forth between Monterey and Big Sur without any problem.

 

[ftaok]

I have a question, not specifically in regards to upgrading the SSD on a Mac. I've already done that, but now I have a 256GB Apple SSD that I don't have a good way of keeping safe.

I want to keep it intact and stored away, but the plastic packaging material that my NVMe drive came is is too small for the Apple SSD to fit in. So now, I have it in a sandwich ziploc bag, but would like a little more protection.

Anything I find on Amazon is for 2280 sized drives.

Has anyone figured out a good solution?

 

[cyberstudio]

Use aluminum foil to wrap it and put it in your ziplock bag. That's what I did to ICs when I was a kid and it is just as effective today to protect bare PCBs from ESD as it was back then. The fancy silver bag that your new NVMe came in uses the exact same principle. It is just a plastic bag that conducts electricity. Your ziplock bag will be an insulating layer further protecting your SSD.

 

[kvic]

Has anyone figured out a good solution?

I received a 128GB version for free. So i bought an adaptor and put it inside my Linux machine. Get electrified on a daily basis. Well protected both mechanically and electrically.

Available on Amazon and elsewhere:

 

[bobbytomorow]

Can someone help me, I have a late 2013 MBP 15" (MacBookPro11,3). I have an Aura Pro X2 2TB drive installed but I am still stuck on boot rom (firmware) 153.0.0.0.0 despite running Big Sur. So I still have sleep wake issues and my boot up time is quite slow.

Is there a way I can update my boot rom version manually?

 

[luryxyt]

Hello

I swapped the original drive for the WD sn530 512gb in my 2017 macbook pro. I feel an awful lot of battery drain when laptop sleep. In 8 hours I have 10-15% of battery consumption. The battery is new, after an authorized replacement from the repair program.

Old disk: original
My ssd adapter: NFHK N-1708A
New disk: WD SN530 512gb

Do you know any advice that will help you solve this problem?

 

[macpro_mid2014]

Can someone help me, I have a late 2013 MBP 15" (MacBookPro11,3). I have an Aura Pro X2 2TB drive installed but I am still stuck on boot rom (firmware) 153.0.0.0.0 despite running Big Sur. So I still have sleep wake issues and my boot up time is quite slow.

Is there a way I can update my boot rom version manually?

The only solution I know is to invest in an used 128GB original Apple SSD, install Big Sur on it so the BootRom is updated. Once you have an updated BootRom, future updates will occur with the Aura Pro and you don't need the original Apple SSD anymore.

 

[bobbytomorow]

The only solution I know is to invest in an used 128GB original Apple SSD, install Big Sur on it so the BootRom is updated. Once you have an updated BootRom, future updates will occur with the Aura Pro and you don't need the original Apple SSD anymore.

I will try that and report back

Thanks

 

[cyberstudio]

Does this have to be an internal SSD? (I have been installing/running macOS on an external USB HDD just fine, and I'd assume it would update the boot rom in the same way.)

 

[bobbytomorow]

The only solution I know is to invest in an used 128GB original Apple SSD, install Big Sur on it so the BootRom is updated. Once you have an updated BootRom, future updates will occur with the Aura Pro and you don't need the original Apple SSD anymore.

Can someone help me, I have a late 2013 MBP 15" (MacBookPro11,3). I have an Aura Pro X2 2TB drive installed but I am still stuck on boot rom (firmware) 153.0.0.0.0 despite running Big Sur. So I still have sleep wake issues and my boot up time is quite slow.

Is there a way I can update my boot rom version manually?

That did the trick.

As advised I re-installed the original Apple SSD and performed a clean install of Big Sur with a USB installer and the bootrom got updated to the newest version (431.140.6.0.0). I then took out the old SSD and put back the OWC Pro X2 and all is good.

Thanks!

 

[macpro_mid2014]

That did the trick.

As advised I re-installed the original Apple SSD and performed a clean install of Big Sur with a USB installer and the bootrom got updated to the newest version (431.140.6.0.0). I then took out the old SSD and put back the OWC Pro X2 and all is good.

Thanks!

Great!! From now on, all BootRom updates will occur normally with the Aura Pro. Even by installing the macOS update on an external disk, BootRom is updated.

 

[phybersplice]

Hi Everyone - newbie to this task of upgrading my 2013 Late Retina 11,1 MBP.
I'm running Big Sur 11.6.
It comes with the stock 256GB SSD, but I am seriously low on space - I can't do any final cut editing on this machine.
My battery has been replaced and has 55 cycles on it.
Looking through this thread there's a lot of older info and some updated info.
My requirements are:

1TB upgrade - what drive would I get?
I know I won't hit the max throughput that some of the newer drives offer.

I would need to buy an adapter, and seeing as I am in Canada, this is available:

Rivo NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card for Upgrade MacBook Air(2013-2016 Year) and Mac PRO(Late 2013-2015 Year)

Rivo NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card for Upgrade MacBook Air(2013-2016 Year) and Mac PRO(Late 2013-2015 Year)

www.amazon.ca

Would Hibernation work properly or is that still a 'no'?
Heat - what doesn't heat up too much?
Battery drain - what doesn't kill the battery too quickly?

Firmware upgrades on the SSD if needed - how would I do that?
I've had experience before where I'd have to put a 2.5" SSD into a desktop to flash it but I don't have that capacity anymore. Just trying to make this as easy as possible.

Ideas?

Thanks

 

[ftaok]

Hi Everyone - newbie to this task of upgrading my 2013 Late Retina 11,1 MBP.
I'm running Big Sur 11.6.
It comes with the stock 256GB SSD, but I am seriously low on space - I can't do any final cut editing on this machine.
My battery has been replaced and has 55 cycles on it.
Looking through this thread there's a lot of older info and some updated info.
My requirements are:

1TB upgrade - what drive would I get?
I know I won't hit the max throughput that some of the newer drives offer.

I would need to buy an adapter, and seeing as I am in Canada, this is available:

Rivo NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card for Upgrade MacBook Air(2013-2016 Year) and Mac PRO(Late 2013-2015 Year)

Rivo NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card for Upgrade MacBook Air(2013-2016 Year) and Mac PRO(Late 2013-2015 Year)

www.amazon.ca

Would Hibernation work properly or is that still a 'no'?
Heat - what doesn't heat up too much?
Battery drain - what doesn't kill the battery too quickly?

Firmware upgrades on the SSD if needed - how would I do that?
I've had experience before where I'd have to put a 2.5" SSD into a desktop to flash it but I don't have that capacity anymore. Just trying to make this as easy as possible.

Ideas?

Thanks

Per post #1, your MBP should work as it is the correct model number 11,1.

The adapter that I used was this one. Sintech adapter It was the one recommended in post #1.

I got the Corsair MP510 480GB for my personal MBA. It works great. I've order the parts to update my wife's 2014 MBP and I got the Corsair MP510 960GB. I chose this SSD because it has the fast read/write speeds and pretty low power use. I originally ordered the Crucial P2, but cancelled it when I read up on the switch from TLC to QLC components. Didn't want to chance getting the lower performing drive (note that kvic posted some thoughts/opinions on the previous page about the impact a regular user would see ... interesting stuff).

EDIT - as per @macpro_mid2014 in his reply below, turning off Hibernation is not necessary if you're running Big Sur.

As for hibernation, I think you're in the same boat as I am/was. You have two options, use Terminal to turn off the Hibernation mode. Or you can do some "complicated" stuff to enable it. I'm a novice with this stuff and tried reading how to do it ... and ended up bailing on that idea. So I just turned it off.

Go back and read Post #1 as most of the questions are addressed there. Then search the thread on specific topics and read up on the later posts as they'll be most up to date. Good luck.

I can't comment on the Firmware issue, but as far as installation goes, here's how I did it. You'll need to make sure your Boot ROM is updated to a compatible level. Info on Post #1.

1. Take note of the format used on your SSD. Mine was APFS.
2. Make a Time Machine backup of your drive. IMPORTANT - make sure your TM backup drive has a "compatible" format type as what you intend to format your new SSD as. I would recommend formatting the new SSD with the same system as your oringal SSD.
   1. What I mean by this is if your orginal SSD is APFS (case-senstive), format your TM drive to be macOS Extended (case-senstive) and your new SSD to APFS (case-sensitve). Don't do what I did because I wasted a lot time going back and forth.
3. Create a USB Install Drive with the macOS you want to be on, in your case, Big Sur. You'll need a 16GB thumb drive. Read this Apple Support Page. You might need to clear up some space on your SSD since you'll need to download the installer.
4. Swap out the old SSD with the new one plus the adapter. You'll need a size 1.2 pentalobe screwdriver as well as a size T6 (I think) torx driver to remove the bottom and the SSD.
5. Don't forget to reconnect the battery cable.
6. Boot up your Mac using the USB thumbdrive. Power it on and hold the "option" key immediately after it turns on. Select the USB Installer as your boot drive.
7. Select Disk Utility so that you can format your new SSD. Choose correctly.
8. Then install Big Sur onto your new SSD.
9. Then you can use your Time Machine backup drive to restore your system (with an additional 750GB of space).

 

[macpro_mid2014]

Firmware upgrades on the SSD if needed - how would I do that?
I've had experience before where I'd have to put a 2.5" SSD into a desktop to flash it but I don't have that capacity anymore. Just trying to make this as easy as possible.

Ideas?

Thanks

If you are running Big Sur on the original Apple SSD, you don't have hibernation issues anymore. Also, future firmware updates will occur normally.
--------
@ftaok
As for hibernation, I think you're in the same boat as I am/was. You have two options, use Terminal to turn off the Hibernation mode. Or you can do some "complicated" stuff to enable it. I'm a novice with this stuff and tried reading how to do it ... and ended up bailing on that idea. So I just turned it off.
-------

You don't need to do any trick with Terminal anymore. If you have an updated BootRom (Big Sur 11.6) hibernation works as with the original Apple SSD.

 

[ftaok]

@ftaok
As for hibernation, I think you're in the same boat as I am/was. You have two options, use Terminal to turn off the Hibernation mode. Or you can do some "complicated" stuff to enable it. I'm a novice with this stuff and tried reading how to do it ... and ended up bailing on that idea. So I just turned it off.
-------

You don't need to do any trick with Terminal anymore. If you have an updated BootRom (Big Sur 11.6) hibernation works as with the original Apple SSD.

macpro,

Thanks for this nugget. I didn't realize this was the case. I'm still on High Sierra, so I guess turning off Hibernation is still a thing. But for phybersplice, it's not an issue because he's on Big Sur?

I guess I'll look into it a bit more for MBA 6,2

 

[juan985_Spain]

Hello!

I tried this upgrade several years agó but I had to go back to the Original Apple 500GB SSD due to random kernel panics. I used the Sintech long adapter and a Sabrent Rocket 1TB SSD back then.

¿Is this issue Fixed?

My device is a Macbook Pro 2015 15"

 

[macpro_mid2014]

Hello!

I tried this upgrade several years agó but I had to go back to the Original Apple 500GB SSD due to random kernel panics. I used the Sintech long adapter and a Sabrent Rocket 1TB SSD back then.

¿Is this issue Fixed?

My device is a Macbook Pro 2015 15"

This is not an issue anymore! I suggest you get a new short Sintech adapter and try again. OR, you can put Kapton tape on the long adapter you already have as described somewhere in this thread. The new adapters already come with the tape applied.

 

[phybersplice]

Thanks all for the clarification about the Late 2013 11,1 on Big Sur.
Now I’m in need to figure out what SSD to get.
the Sabrent Rocket is 180 plus tax (13%) here.
the WD 550 1 TB is 115 plus tax.
what are people getting for this machine these days?
Because of PCIE 2.0 I’d only achieve 1300 read/write.

 

[macpro_mid2014]

Thanks all for the clarification about the Late 2013 11,1 on Big Sur.
Now I’m in need to figure out what SSD to get.
the Sabrent Rocket is 180 plus tax (13%) here.
the WD 550 1 TB is 115 plus tax.
what are people getting for this machine these days?
Because of PCIE 2.0 I’d only achieve 1300 read/write.

Just answering your question:
Are you worried about battery consumption? Get the Sabrent Rocket.
Do you use your MB plugged in most of the time? Get the WD 550.

There are other options discussed in the past 10 to 20 pages in this thread.

 

[phybersplice]

Is there anything in between that won’t break the bank but will provide a happy medium of battery life vs price?

I’m seeing lots of posts with regards to manufacturers dumping DRAM and secretly changing from TLC back to QLC so it’s a bit confusing at this point.

 

[vince22]

Is there anything in between that won’t break the bank but will provide a happy medium of battery life vs price?

I’m seeing lots of posts with regards to manufacturers dumping DRAM and secretly changing from TLC back to QLC so it’s a bit confusing at this point.

QLC SN550 nvme drive best bang for your buck, TLC Sabrent rocket and Hynix gold P31 best balance performance and lower power consumption.

 

[LEoREo_2247]

While I was about to say SN550 is great for a DRAM-less drive, it apparently has been caught for secretly switching NAND to QLC from TLD in August.
Now that both P2 and SN550, one of the good budget SSD options, have come down swapping to QLC, I’m thinking of getting Kioxia’s Exceria.(Kioxia is basically former Toshiba)
I thought it’s rare to see DRAM in it for this price range at around 60usd for the 500GB variant in my region, and it seems to have a good random read/write performance, although the sequential performance isn’t that impressive, it can still reach the limit of PCIe 2.0 4x bandwidth.
I’m not sure about the power consumption yet, but I’m expecting around medium performance.

 

[phybersplice]

I can't get Kioxia in my region.

 

[phybersplice]

I guess it's between the Sabrent and the WD 550 at this point.
The Hynix is ridiculously priced at $258 plus 13% tax.

I did read about the WD550 getting caught for swapping out components.