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

[littlemisssunshine]

Hi,
I’m new here, but I’ve been checking this post for a week now. That’s when the ssd from my MacBook pro (2015) suddenly died. I never succeeded in using time machine, it wouldn’t make a back-up... Most important files are not on the failed ssd though, but I still would like to see if I can get to the files on the ssd. There is some stuff I would like to get back.
I’m trying to figure out what to buy and it’s not easy. I read in the original post (thank you so much for all the information!) that the original ssd’s are AHCI. But all the ssd enclosures that I find are not compatible with AHCI. This is super confusing to me.. I’m just lost right now.. What should I buy that I can use with my macbooks original ssd?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Audit13]

Hi,
I’m new here, but I’ve been checking this post for a week now. That’s when the ssd from my MacBook pro (2015) suddenly died. I never succeeded in using time machine, it wouldn’t make a back-up... Most important files are not on the failed ssd though, but I still would like to see if I can get to the files on the ssd. There is some stuff I would like to get back.
I’m trying to figure out what to buy and it’s not easy. I read in the original post (thank you so much for all the information!) that the original ssd’s are AHCI. But all the ssd enclosures that I find are not compatible with AHCI. This is super confusing to me.. I’m just lost right now.. What should I buy that I can use with my macbooks original ssd?
Thanks in advance!

The MacBook ssd uses a proprietary connector and enclosures are not cheap. Try owc for an external enclosure.

Apple Mac Upgrades - RAM, SSD Flash, External Drives and More

Upgrade the RAM and storage of nearly any Apple computer at MacSales.com. We also provide refurbished Macs, external storage, docks, accessories, and more!

eshop.macsales.com

 

[littlemisssunshine]

The MacBook ssd uses a proprietary connector and enclosures are not cheap. Try owc for an external enclosure.

Apple Mac Upgrades - RAM, SSD Flash, External Drives and More

Upgrade the RAM and storage of nearly any Apple computer at MacSales.com. We also provide refurbished Macs, external storage, docks, accessories, and more!

eshop.macsales.com

Thank you for the reply.
That is really expensive for an enclosure..

I just thought of something else. What if I install Mac OS on an external drive? Can I then (hopefully) see my original internal ssd? I have a bootable usb drive with big sur..

 

[Audit13]

Thank you for the reply.
That is really expensive for an enclosure..

I just thought of something else. What if I install Mac OS on an external drive? Can I then (hopefully) see my original internal ssd? I have a bootable usb drive with big sur..

Yes, that could work to view the contents of the internal drive.

If you have another Mac, you could try putting your MacBook in target mode: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/mac-help/mchlp1443/mac

 

[Jesse4EVEReaL]

Heyy there everybody!!
So I got a mid 2015 MacBook Pro, I’m trying to upgrade the ssd to the 970 EVO Plus in use along side the Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME. For whatever reason it’s not being detected by my computer to do a time machine restore via a 2TB Seagate Portable. Could you guys please help me out!!!😫😫😫

 

[arunix]

Heyy there everybody!!
So I got a mid 2015 MacBook Pro, I’m trying to upgrade the ssd to the 970 EVO Plus in use along side the Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME. For whatever reason it’s not being detected by my computer to do a time machine restore via a 2TB Seagate Portable. Could you guys please help me out!!!😫😫😫

Check the first page; not all nvme are compatible. The 970 evo plus needs a firmware update. Generally we don’t recommend samsung because they are power hungry.

 

[littlemisssunshine]

Yes, that could work to view the contents of the internal drive.

If you have another Mac, you could try putting your MacBook in target mode: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/mac-help/mchlp1443/mac

Thanks!

The Installation started all fine, but no. I tried to install big sur 5 times.. it keeps restarting the second part of the installation. It has about 15 min left and it just starts over.. tried it with 2 external hard disc drives..

I also have an old MacBook Pro 2010, which doesn’t have a thunderbolt connection. I understand I need thunderbolt because my 2015 MacBook Pro OS is big Sur.

 

[otosan]

Heyy there everybody!!
So I got a mid 2015 MacBook Pro, I’m trying to upgrade the ssd to the 970 EVO Plus in use along side the Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME. For whatever reason it’s not being detected by my computer to do a time machine restore via a 2TB Seagate Portable. Could you guys please help me out!!!😫😫😫

Your issue is that you use disk utility from a very old recovery mode. Which not support NVME drive.

Use disk utility from installer with High Sierra version (10.13.6) or higher.

From your screenshot, it looks like a disk utility from 10.10 or 10.9 era (way too old)

 

[Cuadrados]

Follow the guide on how to install OpenCore Legacy Patcher from it's site

this guide bellow is to enable Universal Control on unsupported models : https://dortania.github.io/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/UNIVERSALCONTROL.html#enabling-universal-control , since you gonna use the OpenCore anyway, you might want to do it as well

basically what you want to do is pick your model from the app menu, build the OpenCore and install it to your disk. So you gonna need to do this when your mac is able to detect the drive and boot from it.

Hi Otosan

I tried to install the OpenCore Legacy Patcher, but it kept giving me problems. I finally opted to install the WD Green SN350 2TB on the Windows PC, and the WD Black SN750 500Gb on the 2013 Mac Pro. Both computers are now working fine. The 2013 Mac Pro boots on and shuts down properly and it is stable with this NVME. I was able to do a clean install as disk utility detected it with no problem. The 2TB WD Green SN350 is working fine on Windows. The only problem is that I needed to expand the available space on the Mac Pro, from the original 256GB SSD to 2TB, and now I only have 500GB, but at least I haven't lost any money and I'm taking advantage of the two NVMEs.
My conclusion after all these tests is that the WD Green SN350 Drive is NOT compatible with the Mac Pro 2013, so it would be good if they included it in the list of incompatible or problematic drives in the first post of this topic.
The WD Black SN750 500Gb is compatible with Mac Pro 2013 and it works properly. Write Speed is 1274Mb/s and Read Speed is 1396Mb/s.

Thank you very much for your help and collaboration, Otosan.
All the best.

 

[LioriK]

Hi Guys.

Since win 2 go is not working neither on my mac neither on Lenovo laptop, can i put this P31 into my lenovo and install windows on top of it, then running the firmware upgrade?
if not, what other solution do i have?

 

[arunix]

Hi Guys.

Since win 2 go is not working neither on my mac neither on Lenovo laptop, can i put this P31 into my lenovo and install windows on top of it, then running the firmware upgrade?
if not, what other solution do i have?

That’s what I did with a P31 1TB. I installed Windows on it in a spare laptop and ran the firmware update. Interestingly my P31 1TB already came with the latest firmware

 

[LioriK]

That’s what I did with a P31 1TB. I installed Windows on it in a spare laptop and ran the firmware update. Interestingly my P31 1TB already came with the latest firmware

so did you manage to install on it Mac OSx? if yes, which ver?

 

[arunix]

so did you manage to install on it Mac OSx? if yes, which ver?

I installed it with monterey in a macbook air no problem.

 

[laclouis5]

Hi all, I'm sharing my experience with upgrading my early 2015 MacBook Air.

I installed a Crucial P2 CT500P2SSD8 (500 GB) with a Eboxer SSD M.2 NGFF Adapter back in 2021. I got the same issue a many in this thread with the Crucial P2: random kernel panics with error
"3rd party NVMe controller. Loss of MMIO space. Write. fBuiltIn=1 MODEL=CT500P2SSD8 FW=P2CR012 CSTS=0xffffffff US[1]=0x0 US[0]=0x11 VID=0xc0a9 DID=0x540a CRITICAL_WARNING=0x0.\n". It does not occur often (once or twice a month) but it is still an annoying issue.

I've never found a solution so I'm considering transitioning to a Timetec SSD NVMe PCIe (512 GB) which does not require an adapter since the connector is not M2 but already the private Apple SSD format.

Do some of you have an experience to share about this SSD?

 

[paultman]

FYI, NVMeFix seems to have fixed the 'Loss of MMIO space' kernel panic for me. My SSD was working fine for a couple of years, but after upgrading to Monterey, I was getting almost daily crashes, especially when my Macbook Pro was sleeping overnight. Since installing NVMeFix, it's been up for 2 weeks now, knock on wood. My setup, for reference:

MacBookPro11,4 (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)
Sabrent 2TB Rocket NVMe PCIe M.2 2280 Internal SSD
Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card (Long)

The main difficulty I had was that it's not obvious how to install NVMeFix. Searching this forum had vague references to use Hackintool, so I downloaded it, but for the life of me, I couldn't figure out how to use it install NVMeFix. All I managed to do clicking around the various menu options was to get a NVMeFix.kext built in Hackintool_Kexts directory.

The Hackintool docs say 'Knowledge is required on how to patch before using it'.
The NVMeFix docs say 'NVMeFix requires at least Lilu 1.4.1'
The Lilu docs has prebuilt binaries, but no instruction on how to install it.

So here's how I got it to work, in case it'll help someone out.

1. Hackintool is for building and upgrading patches, after you patched it. So you need to patch the system first using Clover or OCLP.

2. For Monterey (basically Majave and later), you can't use Clover (default for Hackintool). You have to use OCLP.

3. Download OCLP from https://github.com/dortania/OpenCore-Legacy-Patcher/releases
I use the TUI instead of GUI app, because I'd rather use the terminal than the GUI.

4. Make sure you back up your computer first. That said, I had no issues with my drive getting corrupted with OCLP.

5. When you run it, if you have a late model Mac like me, you would get an erro 'Your model is not supported by this patcher for running unsupported OSes!
Pick '5. Patcher Settings'
Pick '7. Allow OpenCore on native Models: Currently False'
Pick 'Allow OpenCore on all Models(y/n/q): ' y
Pick 'Q. Quit'
Pick '1. Build OpenCore'
You should see:
- Adding Lilu.kext 1.6.0
- Adding NVMeFix.kext 1.0.9
Pick '2. Install OpenCore to USB/internal drive'
Note: your disk number may be different, but it should be the only choice availble if you have no other drives (like USB) attached.
Pick '0. disk0: Sabrent (2.0 TB)'
Pick '1. disk0s1: EFI (209.7 MB) *'
Pick 'Q. Quit'
Reboot

6. Optional. If you want to disable the OCLP boot picker that shows you multiple drives to boot from on startup, so it automatically boots up to the apple logo like normal.
Pick '5. Patcher Settings'
Pick '5. Miscellaneous Settings'
Pick '1. Set ShowPicker Mode: Currently True'
Pick 'Show OpenCore Picker by default(y/n/q): ' n
and rebuild and install

That's it!

First, thanks for your contribution.

I had previously done the nvme upgrade a few years back for my 2015 15". At that time, I didn't have to do any other mod/flashing besides simply using the adapter and new disk.

I had since upgraded to the 2020 m1 air, and sold my classic 2015 15."

Recently I wanted to switch back and bought a used 2015 15" and upgraded the SSD. Unlike the previous exp, this time I loaded Monterey, I got the MMIO standby reboot issue repeatedly.

I've followed your guide and to do the OCLP update. Looks like the latest version only has the GUI version, but based on your detailed CL instructions, it was easy to do the same with the GUI ver.

So far things seem ok. Im also going to try AlDente to limit power charging as I typically always keep the Mac plugged in and full. Will be nice to leave the battery with some headroom.

As your post is a bit older, besides the OCLP update, have you make any other changes to your system regarding the nvme upgrade and stability?

Before reading your post I was just about to give up and reinstall the original/slow/small 256gb drive. Thanks again for your work, and sharing! *fingers crossed I don't get the standby issue again*

BTW Here's the error I was getting:

And here is my current speed using 2015 15" with a silicon power nvme:

 

[littlemisssunshine]

Hi, I have a question about the bootrom. I'm not sure if I understand how this works. My macbook pro (early 2015) has bootrom 430.120.6.0.0.
As far as I remember I installed Monterey (before my ssd failed). I searched on macrumors for my Macbooks bootrom and found out that Monterey 12.4 includes this bootrom. But Big sur 11.6.6. final also.
Does this mean I can install Monterey 12.4 (found this version on mrmacintosh) on a new ssd? And can I then update macOS to the latest Monterey version?
Thanks so very much!!

 

[paultman]

Hi, I have a question about the bootrom. I'm not sure if I understand how this works. My macbook pro (early 2015) has bootrom 430.120.6.0.0.
As far as I remember I installed Monterey (before my ssd failed). I searched on macrumors for my Macbooks bootrom and found out that Monterey 12.4 includes this bootrom. But Big sur 11.6.6. final also.
Does this mean I can install Monterey 12.4 (found this version on mrmacintosh) on a new ssd? And can I then update macOS to the latest Monterey version?
Thanks so very much!!

Unless things have changed, the process was to use an original Apple SSD while installing/upgrading OSX versions and it will automatically update your bootrom version. Using a 3rd party SSD will update the OSX version, but not the bootrom unfortunately. So hang on to your original apple ssd or buy one on eBay to do the updates.

Fyi, I could be using old info from when I followed this thread about a year or two ago and am just returning recently.

 

[paultman]

Hi all, I'm sharing my experience with upgrading my early 2015 MacBook Air.

I installed a Crucial P2 CT500P2SSD8 (500 GB) with a Eboxer SSD M.2 NGFF Adapter back in 2021. I got the same issue a many in this thread with the Crucial P2: random kernel panics with error
"3rd party NVMe controller. Loss of MMIO space. Write. fBuiltIn=1 MODEL=CT500P2SSD8 FW=P2CR012 CSTS=0xffffffff US[1]=0x0 US[0]=0x11 VID=0xc0a9 DID=0x540a CRITICAL_WARNING=0x0.\n". It does not occur often (once or twice a month) but it is still an annoying issue.

I've never found a solution so I'm considering transitioning to a Timetec SSD NVMe PCIe (512 GB) which does not require an adapter since the connector is not M2 but already the private Apple SSD format.

Do some of you have an experience to share about this SSD?

I had the same issue. Take a look at my post and specifically the referenced post from CatNinja27. I just did it today, but it's working well so far.

 

[littlemisssunshine]

Unless things have changed, the process was to use an original Apple SSD while installing/upgrading OSX versions and it will automatically update your bootrom version. Using a 3rd party SSD will update the OSX version, but not the bootrom unfortunately. So hang on to your original apple ssd or buy one on eBay to do the updates.

Fyi, I could be using old info from when I followed this thread about a year or two ago and am just returning recently.

Thanks and welcome back

I believe that you still need an original apple ssd to get the latest macOS bootrom.
But I’m still wondering if I can install Monterey 12.4..
I hope my original failed ssd is still alive. I installed high sierra on an external drive and the ssd is visible.. (it takes a long time though and slows down the whole computer) I have to fill in my MacBooks (original) password and then I get a message that the features from the ssd are not compatible with the macOS version.
so I must upgrade the external drive.. I was hoping that’s possible when I installed macOS on the new ssd..

 

[paultman]

Thanks and welcome back

I believe that you still need an original apple ssd to get the latest macOS bootrom.
But I’m still wondering if I can install Monterey 12.4..
I hope my original failed ssd is still alive. I installed high sierra on an external drive and the ssd is visible.. (it takes a long time though and slows down the whole computer) I have to fill in my MacBooks (original) password and then I get a message that the features from the ssd are not compatible with the macOS version.
so I must upgrade the external drive.. I was hoping that’s possible when I installed macOS on the new ssd..

Thanks. Ok, you are saying that although you will have the apple ssd in the nvme slot (though prev failed), you will boot off the usb drive containing your 3rd party nvme, which you will do an osx upgrade on, and are hoping that the process will still update the bootrom.

I've never tried that, and it's a fairly unique use case so you might not find the info here.

To be honest, if I were in your shoes, I'd just by a cheap/tiny apple ssd off ebay, even a little 128gb from an old macbook air would do. Or, I'd see if I could borrow an apple drive from a friend for a day to do the process (obviously your friend would back-up the drive first).

 

[littlemisssunshine]

Thanks. Ok, you are saying that although you will have the apple ssd in the nvme slot (though prev failed), you will boot off the usb drive containing your 3rd party nvme, which you will do an osx upgrade on, and are hoping that the process will still update the bootrom.

I've never tried that, and it's a fairly unique use case so you might not find the info here.

To be honest, if I were in your shoes, I'd just by a cheap/tiny apple ssd off ebay, even a little 128gb from an old macbook air would do. Or, I'd see if I could borrow an apple drive from a friend for a day to do the process (obviously your friend would back-up the drive first).

No, not exactly. The 3rd party nvme will be in the nvme slot and I will use a bootable usb drive to install the latest possible version on the new ssd.
Then I hope it’s possible to install the same version on the external hdd (now with high sierra) so that I can hopefully access my original ssd (I have to of course remove the new ssd and put the original back in)..
Not sure if this will work..

Apart from my uncle’s 2017 macbook, only windows people around me.. So eBay would then be my plan B.

 

[paultman]

No, not exactly. The 3rd party nvme will be in the nvme slot and I will use a bootable usb drive to install the latest possible version on the new ssd.
Then I hope it’s possible to install the same version on the external hdd (now with high sierra) so that I can hopefully access my original ssd (I have to of course remove the new ssd and put the original back in)..
Not sure if this will work..

Apart from my uncle’s 2017 macbook, only windows people around me.. So eBay would then be my plan B.

Ah ok, I understand. Yes, you should be able to install osx to the 3rd party nvme in the mac via the usb installer. Then boot off that, while hopefully being able to access the swapped apple oem drive data.

From your uncles macbook, if you still had your apple drive in your computer, u could try accessing it in target disk mode via a thunderbolt cable connecting the two machines.

btw, I mentioned the eBay functioning Apple ssd so that you could update the bootrom. A functioning apple ssd is really the only way you'll be able to do that.

 

[macpro_mid2014]

Hi, I have a question about the bootrom. I'm not sure if I understand how this works. My macbook pro (early 2015) has bootrom 430.120.6.0.0.
As far as I remember I installed Monterey (before my ssd failed). I searched on macrumors for my Macbooks bootrom and found out that Monterey 12.4 includes this bootrom. But Big sur 11.6.6. final also.
Does this mean I can install Monterey 12.4 (found this version on mrmacintosh) on a new ssd? And can I then update macOS to the latest Monterey version?
Thanks so very much!!

Your BootRom is ok and no, you DO NOT need the original Apple SSD to update your BootRom anymore.
Your MacBook Pro Early 2015 is 100% compatible with Monterey and does not need anything to update to its latest version.

You can install Monterey 12.6 (which is the latest version as of this writing) and not 12.4. From Mr. Macintosh site:

InstallAssistant.pkg

Once you install Monterey, if there is still any BootRom update, the installation will provide it.

You can use SilentKnight to check if you are up to date with security and BootRom:
SilentKnight 1.21 (Universal App for El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey and Ventura)

 

[vince22]

Hi, I have a question about the bootrom. I'm not sure if I understand how this works. My macbook pro (early 2015) has bootrom 430.120.6.0.0.
As far as I remember I installed Monterey (before my ssd failed). I searched on macrumors for my Macbooks bootrom and found out that Monterey 12.4 includes this bootrom. But Big sur 11.6.6. final also.
Does this mean I can install Monterey 12.4 (found this version on mrmacintosh) on a new ssd? And can I then update macOS to the latest Monterey version?
Thanks so very much!!

you don't need your original Apple SSD, just follow Mr. Macintosh site to install Monterey 12.6, once its done your boot room will be updated, i have same year and model like yours below, good luck.

 

[littlemisssunshine]

Oh this is great! Thank you very much!

edit: I thought I quoted @macpro_mid2014
Anyway, thank you all for helping/explaining.