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

[macpro_mid2014]

Here I am again, postscript: WD does not have a Firmware Check/Update Tool for Mac! This is truly intolerable!

So:
- I don't know what firmware my disk has
- I won't be able to update it anyway

(unless I take everything apart, connect it to a Windows PC with a USB adapter, etc etc...😡)

I solved this problem by creating a 64GB volume and manually installing Windows 10 on it. I did not use BootCamp, just a bootable USB with Windows 10. The resulting Windows is very slow (be patient - no drivers) but I was able to install WD software to check for the WD550 firmware.

 

[Minipudding]

Here I am again, postscript: WD does not have a Firmware Check/Update Tool for Mac! This is truly intolerable!

So:
- I don't know what firmware my disk has
- I won't be able to update it anyway

(unless I take everything apart, connect it to a Windows PC with a USB adapter, etc etc...😡)

You might be able to boot "WinPE" on your MacBook. It's a Windows 10 "live system" that boots from USB flash drive. I have used it several times in the past to solve problems like yours, though I've only booted it on regular PC laptops/computers.

 

[Robert1966]

...

Hello, im new here. A few days ago a bought a Trashcan. Already I upgrated cpu from 3,7 to 2,7, ram from 16gb to 64 and now is time for an ssd. Im thinking about lexar nm620 2tb. Any opinions? THX

 

[pete1]

I would not recommend getting the P3+, or any other Gen 4 drive for that matter. Compatibility depends on the specific machine you have and you won't be getting anywhere near the performance you payed extra for.

I would get the SN570.

I am looking at getting an SN570 for a mid-2015 MBP, but the first post in this thread says it’s not compatible.

NVMe SSD known not to work on MacBook Pro / Air. DO NOT BUY:

• Samsung PM981
• Samsung 950 Pro
• WD Blue NvME SN570
• WD Black NvME SN770

However, many people are reporting success with it.

Can I confirm that this is a good choice for my machine?

 

[MrPhil17]

Here I am again, postscript: WD does not have a Firmware Check/Update Tool for Mac! This is truly intolerable!

So:
- I don't know what firmware my disk has
- I won't be able to update it anyway

(unless I take everything apart, connect it to a Windows PC with a USB adapter, etc etc...😡)

You forget that our Mac, unlike Apple silicon versions, can boot Windows, even thru an external hdd. Just connect a WinPE Windows10 or an hdd of another computer and boot it from your Mac.

 

[theMarble]

I am looking at getting an SN570 for a mid-2015 MBP, but the first post in this thread says it’s not compatible.

NVMe SSD known not to work on MacBook Pro / Air. DO NOT BUY:

• Samsung PM981
• Samsung 950 Pro
• WD Blue NvME SN570
• WD Black NvME SN770

However, many people are reporting success with it.

Can I confirm that this is a good choice for my machine?

The WikiPost is very old now. It was last updated around the time Big Sur came out, in 2020. Lots has changed since then.

- The SN570/750/770/850 are compatible.
- The 970 Evo Plus and 980 series are not compatible.

None has updated the list yet.

 

[pete1]

- The SN570/750/770/850 are compatible.

Great. If I get a 570 would I need to update the firmware?

 

[theMarble]

Great. If I get a 570 would I need to update the firmware?

No. It will work as soon as you plug it in. Make sure that you have a proper USB stick of macOS High Sierra or newer made beforehand otherwise you won't be able to install an OS.

 

[pete1]

No. It will work as soon as you plug it in. Make sure that you have a proper USB stick of macOS High Sierra or newer made beforehand otherwise you won't be able to install an OS.

Could I buy an NVME caddy with USB port and simply clone the internal SSD onto it, before then installing the drive in the Mac?

 

[pete1]

Here I am again, postscript: WD does not have a Firmware Check/Update Tool for Mac! This is truly intolerable!

So:
- I don't know what firmware my disk has
- I won't be able to update it anyway

(unless I take everything apart, connect it to a Windows PC with a USB adapter, etc etc...😡)

Why would you need to update the firmware?

 

[chrisT_fir]

Could I buy an NVME caddy with USB port and simply clone the internal SSD onto it, before then installing the drive in the Mac?

Yes, you can. And at the end of the installation you can even do Time Machine from the original SSD which is still in the Mac. After you finish the installation and the Time Machine you swap the SSDs and everything should work as with the original SSD + extra speed and extra space. Enjoy!
You must apply some pm setting if you experience some battery heavy drain. You can find them recommended by @otosan to me, few pages back.

 

[chrisT_fir]

Why would you need to update the firmware?

You need one only if the SSD is not seen by your Mac. Is better to do the firmware update before trying to install the MacOS.

 

[zen3gr]

Hello, everyone!

I'm considering upgrading my original 128GB SSD on Macbook Pro 13" Early-2015 and was wondering what nvme drive should I choose to have a noticeable increase in system responsiveness and low power consumption.

There is a nice Power Efficiency chart on the the first page of this thread but I guess it's a bit outdated?

Could you help me finding recent information from users?

Thanks in advance!

Pardon me for asking again, but could anyone help me with some guidance on where to look for a fast SSD and with good power efficiency?

Thanks

 

[macpro_mid2014]

I've just updated my wife's MBA7,1 from a Silicon Power A80 500GB to 1TB. I bought the SSD on Amazon.ca for CAD$82.99.

It is not my first experience with the A80, though. You can find my old posts here (this thread) for more info, including my use of the A80 on my MBP11,2 and the MBA7,1.

Spoiler: New SSD Info - MBA7,1

Capacity: 1.02 TB (1,024,209,543,168 bytes)
TRIM Support: Yes
Model: SPCC M.2 PCIe SSD
Revision: ECFM22.9
Link Width: x4
Link Speed: 5.0 GT/s
Detachable Drive: No
BSD Name: disk0
Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
Removable Media: No
S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified

Spoiler: Old SSD Info - MacMini7,1

Capacity: 1.02 TB (1,024,209,543,168 bytes)
TRIM Support: Yes
Model: SPCC M.2 PCIe SSD
Revision: ECFM22.6
Link Width: x2
Link Speed: 5.0 GT/s
Detachable Drive: No
BSD Name: disk1
Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
Removable Media: No
S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified

The speeds look good so far:

 

[macpro_mid2014]

My wife said the laptop is faster. I assumed it is related to the differences in speed from a 500GB version to the 1TB version, which most SSD has, but checking my old post on page 264, I concluded that it is because the 500GB SSD was running out of space and slowing things down a bit.

 

[Earl Urley]

Hello, im new here. A few days ago a bought a Trashcan. Already I upgrated cpu from 3,7 to 2,7, ram from 16gb to 64 and now is time for an ssd. Im thinking about lexar nm620 2tb. Any opinions? THX

Make sure you update your macOS to at least High Sierra / Mojave so that your firmware is similarly updated.

You should get the short adapter from Sintech for any third party SSD.

You should pick your SSD from the known good brands.

You should be aware that because of the weird ass way that the SSD is installed (on top of the 2nd GPU?!) contributes to the limited speed possible; as the SSD slot is a PCIe 2.0 x 4, the fastest an SSD will run will be 2 GB/sec.

That's still plenty fast though, and a decent 3rd party SSD will run faster than the OEM Apple, depending on your selection.

 

[dvwjr]

I just installed the Intel 660P 512GB via short sintech adapter on my early mid 2014 13" rMBP running Ventura 13.0.1 + OCLP 0.5.1.
The only problem is installing windows 10 via bootcamp and using 128gb 3.1 usb drive. I get to the windows 10 install menu, it installs just fine. once it reboots, it reboots into windows install again(which it isn't supposed to) BUT this time it doesn't show any available drives to install. Once I exit, it reboots again into windows setup and on the bottom it says "starting/setting up service (%)". a few minutes goes by I get the BSOD and it goes into bootloop and crashes every time. It installed fine with the OG apple SSD.
Anyone know a way to install windows properly? TIA

EDIT: I've also tried to create a partition via disk utility instead of using bootcamp and I still have the same issue as stated above.

Thought I might mention that any Windows install media has a 32GB size limit for the Windows Installer to successfully install Windows to this day… It is a design holdover from Win95 days. Any install media over the 32GB size will appear to run, but will not successfully complete the Windows installation as you described.

Hope this helps someone in the future,

dvwjr

 

[celsoreeks]

Cant say I have but I have only had it in there less than a week.
Rob.

Hi Rob, any updates on the P3's behavior? Got my hands on one to upgrade a 2017 Macbook Air, but would love to know if it's worth going through all the hustle or if it's wiser to go after other SSD models.
Thanks, Celso

 

[pete1]

I am looking at two adapters on Amazon UK - the Sintech one for £15.99 which is the one that seems to be most recommended, and another one by Zerone for £5.99 that also has good reviews on there.

Can I get the cheaper one or is it still advisable to stick with the Sintech?

 

[Minipudding]

I am looking at two adapters on Amazon UK - the Sintech one for £15.99 which is the one that seems to be most recommended, and another one by Zerone for £5.99 that also has good reviews on there.

Can I get the cheaper one or is it still advisable to stick with the Sintech?

There is one older adapter which does not work because it apparently does not have all the PCIe lanes wired. It seems Apple's NVMe controller expects PCIe 4x in order to function at all. You can find images of it in the very first post of this thread.

Besides the Sintech adapter there is this model, which was recently confirmed by one poster in this thread to work with his 2017 MacBook Air, as well as multiple reviews on it confirming it works on various MacBook models: https://www.amazon.se/dp/B07PJTFBKL

The one I linked above looks identical to what's sold under the Zerone brand on Amazon UK.

 

[MrPhil17]

Hi Rob, any updates on the P3's behavior? Got my hands on one to upgrade a 2017 Macbook Air, but would love to know if it's worth going through all the hustle or if it's wiser to go after other SSD models.
Thanks, Celso

Crucial P3 does not work at all. It won't get detected on my MacBook Pro. That's why I got a WD SN570.

 

[leftarrowchain3]

I have a late 2013 13" retina macbook pro (MacBookPro11,1) and I am upgrading the 256 gb SSD to a Crucial P3 2 tb SSD (PCIe 3.0).

I checked for firmware updates on the new SSD but there weren't any to install and installed macOS big sur and put it into my macbook via a Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card but it wont boot up and shows a black screen with the question mark on a folder.

I understand that my macbook is capable of PCIe 2.0 and in the OP post under "SSD that are known to work" both the Crucial P1 and P2 are listed as PCIe 3.0, and my new Crucial P3 SSD has the same PCIe 3.0, so it should work since PCIe 3.0 is backwards compatible with PCIe 2.0 but the SSD does not boot. How do I go about fixing this so that my macbook reads the new SSD? I've read others in this thread having success with the same Crucial P3 SSD and Sintech adapter, however it doesn't work on my macbook. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Charbs20]

I’m about to click purchase. But before I do, just wanted to double check. Is the Hynix Gold P31 still the most recommended ssd?

Mid 2014 retina MacBook Pro.

 

[MrPhil17]

I’m about to click purchase. But before I do, just wanted to double check. Is the Hynix Gold P31 still the most recommended ssd?

Mid 2014 retina MacBook Pro.

It is, but I think it's not worth for a limited PC like ours. After all it's going to work at near half the speeds due to the PCIe 2.0 4x connector.

 

[pete1]

Besides the Sintech adapter there is this model, which was recently confirmed by one poster in this thread to work with his 2017 MacBook Air, as well as multiple reviews on it confirming it works on various MacBook models: https://www.amazon.se/dp/B07PJTFBKL

The one I linked above looks identical to what's sold under the Zerone brand on Amazon UK.

Actually following your Swedish link to this adapter shows that it is also a Zerone product.

I have bought the (seemingly) same one off the Amazon UK site, along with a 1TB SN570. I’ll report back once installed in my aunt’s mid-2015 MBP 11,5. Hopefully it’s a smooth experience.