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

[mdindestin]

The easiest way is to use a USB drive.
The other option would be Internet Recovery. Check the info on the link:

Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac

Learn how to use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac.

support.apple.com

Woohoo, the laptop stayed on long enough for me to create a bootable disk.

For what it's worth, it's running Monterey 12.7.1. What happens is the mouse pointer stops responding, the fans come on, then it shuts down.

 

[macpro_mid2014]

Woohoo, the laptop stayed on long enough for me to create a bootable disk.

For what it's worth, it's running Monterey 12.7.1. What happens is the mouse pointer stops responding, the fans come on, then it shuts down.

It can be heating. You should also consider replacing the thermal paste and cleaning up the fans.

 

[mdindestin]

I'm going to report back what worked and didn't work. One thing I've learned is when the stickie says to get the tool kit, they mean it.

I'm stuck waiting on an Amazon delivery now before proceeding. The tool for the tiny screws on the back can't be found at the big box stores: Ace Hardware, Lowe's, Home Depot, and Harbor Freight.

 

[macpro_mid2014]

I'm going to report back what worked and didn't work. One thing I've learned is when the stickie says to get the tool kit, they mean it.

I'm stuck waiting on an Amazon delivery now before proceeding. The tool for the tiny screws on the back can't be found at the big box stores: Ace Hardware, Lowe's, Home Depot, and Harbor Freight.

iFixIt.com is a good resource for such tools and parts...

 

[xboxbml]

Woohoo, the laptop stayed on long enough for me to create a bootable disk.

For what it's worth, it's running Monterey 12.7.1. What happens is the mouse pointer stops responding, the fans come on, then it shuts down.

Yeah sounds like you have plugged up innards in that machine and it's overheating? Like others said, clean out the fans and air pathways at minimum. Also might want to look into thermal paste redo. Any reputable computer repair shop could do that if you can't.

 

[Cyberdoc71]

Hi,

Just upgraded my 2013 Mbp 11,1 to Nvme and was wondering if there are external usb caddy adapters that support the old blade apple ssd stick?

Thanks

 

[yalush]

Hi !

Running MacBook Pro 15" Mid 2015 with Sabrent 2TB Rocket and an adapter I ordered from Aliexpress, not sure if it's a Sintech... everything worked fine since 2022, but since I upgraded the OS from 12.7 to 12.7.1 random kernel panics started again... upgrade to 12.7.2 did not help... Any ideas would be appreciated ! Thanks !

 

[natus.w]

Hi,

Just upgraded my 2013 Mbp 11,1 to Nvme and was wondering if there are external usb caddy adapters that support the old blade apple ssd stick?

Thanks

OWC/iFixit sells these under their own brands, you can also find generic units as well..

 

[Cyberdoc71]

Hi !

Running MacBook Pro 15" Mid 2015 with Sabrent 2TB Rocket and an adapter I ordered from Aliexpress, not sure if it's a Sintech... everything worked fine since 2022, but since I upgraded the OS from 12.7 to 12.7.1 random kernel panics started again... upgrade to 12.7.2 did not help... Any ideas would be appreciated ! Thanks !

If you skiped the last Big Sur update and upgrade straight to 12.7 your firmware may have missed a needed update. You need to verify you are running the latest firmware for your notebook.

 

[yalush]

If you skiped the last Big Sur update and upgrade straight to 12.7 your firmware may have missed a needed update. You need to verify you are running the latest firmware for your notebook.

I actually upgraded to Os 12 when it came out, and everything was fine until I upgraded to 12.7.1 a few weeks ago...
Is there a place I can check latest firmwares by model ? mine is Mac Book Pro 11,5...
Thanks !

 

[Cyberdoc71]

I actually upgraded to Os 12 when it came out, and everything was fine until I upgraded to 12.7.1 a few weeks ago...
Is there a place I can check latest firmwares by model ? mine is Mac Book Pro 11,5...
Thanks !

Which firmware should your Mac be using? (version 5)

This article lists the firmware versions of Macs which have been successfully updated to run macOS 11.7.10. Apple doesn’t provide an official list of the current firmware versions which shoul…

eclecticlight.co

Also worth checking if the ssd has the latest firmware as well.

 

[yalush]

Which firmware should your Mac be using? (version 5)

This article lists the firmware versions of Macs which have been successfully updated to run macOS 11.7.10. Apple doesn’t provide an official list of the current firmware versions which shoul…

eclecticlight.co

Also worth checking if the ssd has the latest firmware as well.

I actually just found their webpage (Version 6) for Mac OS 12.7.2 and my firmware is updated...
I think Apple made some changes in the NVME driver, as I disabled hibernation and sleep, and it looks more stable now... I will update in the next few days... Thanks again for your help !

 

[sawpits]

Hi,

Just upgraded my 2013 Mbp 11,1 to Nvme and was wondering if there are external usb caddy adapters that support the old blade apple ssd stick?

Thanks

Yes, but they may be costly.

OWC is out of them right now.

OWC Envoy Pro - SSD Enclosure for 2013-Current Macs

Portable, bus-powered USB 3.0 enclosure for Apple flash SSDs. Offers speeds up to 500MB/s in an award-winning aluminum design. Includes 1 year warranty.

eshop.macsales.com

 

[Cyberdoc71]

Yes, but they may be costly.

OWC is out of them right now.

OWC Envoy Pro - SSD Enclosure for 2013-Current Macs

Portable, bus-powered USB 3.0 enclosure for Apple flash SSDs. Offers speeds up to 500MB/s in an award-winning aluminum design. Includes 1 year warranty.

eshop.macsales.com

Found one on Amazon for like at least $60! Costly is right! Not sure if I will go for it though does have its uses. Will think or sleep on it..

Thanks

 

[Mars911]

I upgraded my early 2015 MBP 12.6.8 to OWC Aura Pro X2. Everything was fine, but there's one issue: the led on the ssd is always on with the lid closed. Macbook loses battery while sleeping. Power Nap is off.
Any help please? Thank you.

 

[natus.w]

I upgraded my early 2015 MBP 12.6.8 to OWC Aura Pro X2. Everything was fine, but there's one issue: the led on the ssd is always on with the lid closed. Macbook loses battery while sleeping. Power Nap is off.
Any help please? Thank you.

What LED are you talking about? (the display or the light on another device?)

Unless you happened to reuse your old SSD in an enclosure like so, I can't think of anything that would cause the symptoms mentioned..

 

[Mars911]

What LED are you talking about? (the display or the light on another device?)

Unless you happened to reuse your old SSD in an enclosure like so, I can't think of anything that would cause the symptoms mentioned..

There's a LED on the SSD's PCB board. When the mac is on or data is transferring, the LED is on or flashing. You can see the LED through the venting holes around the F3 key position. There was no light on with the original SSD while the lid was closed.
I just noticed that the light is off when the lid is open, and always on when the lid is closed. Of cause the light is sometimes flashing when the ssd is transferring data.

 

[shahhe]

Hi

I have a macbook pro 13 inch early 2015. Will this SSD work with a sintech adapter? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09RPL3RKZ/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

 

[natus.w]

There's a LED on the SSD's PCB board. When the mac is on or data is transferring, the LED is on or flashing. You can see the LED through the venting holes around the F3 key position. There was no light on with the original SSD while the lid was closed.
I just noticed that the light is off when the lid is open, and always on when the lid is closed. Of cause the light is sometimes flashing when the ssd is transferring data.

That sounds normal, it looks like that is a feature of the drive as standard (power indicator..)


Extra power consumption at sleep is not unheard of for third party drives, either..

 

[natus.w]

Hi

I have a macbook pro 13 inch early 2015. Will this SSD work with a sintech adapter? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09RPL3RKZ/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

Can’t say if it will work or not effectively, only you can try to tell (you can report back here if needed..)

 

[htcmda]

After dragging my feet and scrolling through here for a year or two.. I finally ordered a 2TB SK Hynix P31, for my Mid 2015 15" with gpu. It arrives tomorrow (Jan 6th). The next choice I'm stuck on, is continue with Monterey or try Sonoma with OpenCore Legacy Patcher.

 

[Mars911]

That sounds normal, it looks like that is a feature of the drive as standard (power indicator..)


Extra power consumption at sleep is not unheard of for third party drives, either..

I am sorry, I don't think this is normal. The power indicator LED will always on while the lid is closed? And the battery from 100% to less than 10% over night?
If anyone has an OWC, please check your LED status and let me know.

 

[xboxbml]

I am sorry, I don't think this is normal. The power indicator LED will always on while the lid is closed? And the battery from 100% to less than 10% over night?
If anyone has an OWC, please check your LED status and let me know.

I would have stayed away from OWC drives.. It's nice that you don't have to use an adapter for them, but they are expensive and I've read not as reliable as others. Their docks and enclosures I think are ok.

 

[dudechief]

A question about the purchase in the Sintech shop for the adapter. I have purchased the adapter from this Sintech e-shop but have not received a confirmation email and I don't see an email there that I can contact. Is this normal?

 

[macpro_mid2014]

After dragging my feet and scrolling through here for a year or two.. I finally ordered a 2TB SK Hynix P31, for my Mid 2015 15" with gpu. It arrives tomorrow (Jan 6th). The next choice I'm stuck on, is continue with Monterey or try Sonoma with OpenCore Legacy Patcher.

You have plenty of space now, with the 2TB SSD.
You can easily try Sonoma on a second Volume. If you don't like it, you just remove it's Volume and keep the volume with Monterey only.
I've been using Sonoma since day one and enjoying it...