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

[sfphoto]

Senario:

A 2015 MacBook that will eventually have a new PCIe presently has 10.13 or higher on it's internal PCIe.

The new PCIe is externally mounted, formatted w/10.13 and a 10.13 working volume cloned to it. The target MacBook starts and runs fine from the external.

Is it safe to then assume the external PCIe can be put inside the MacBook and be set to go since the MacBook was running on an OS of 10.13 or higher?

Thanks for reading and commenting!

 

[jolejeune]

System freeze with Crucial P2 and Syntech adapter

I own a MacBookPro 15" (MacBookPro11,2 model) . A few years ago, I've replaced the Apple ssd with a combo Syntech short adapter/Sabrent Rocket Nvme ssd . Everything ran fine for a few years.
Two 1/2 years ago I've replaced the Sabrent 512MB ssd with a Crucial P2 1TB one.
Since a few months, I'm experiencing random freeze of the Mac, rebooting being the only cure.
The crash message is explicitely referencing the NVNe controller :
panic(cpu 6 caller 0xffffff80143886a2): nvme: "3rd party NVMe controller. Loss of MMIO space. Write. fBuiltIn=1 MODEL=CT1000P2SSD8 FW=P2CR033 CSTS=0xffffffff US[1]=0x0 US[0]=0x81 VID=0xc0a9 DID=0x540a CRITICAL_WARNING=0x0.\n" @IONVMeController.cpp:6090

I was just wondering if, by replacing my "old" Syntech adapter with a new one (now manufactured with kapton tape on contacts), I would have a good chance to solve my issue ?
Does it make any sense to try to protect the contacts on my former Syntech adapter by kapton tape ?
Any reported experience of such a fix ?

(I'm running MacOS Monterey thanks to OpenCore 2.2)

Thanks for any advice and/or comment.

 

[macpro_mid2014]

System freeze with Crucial P2 and Syntech adapter

I own a MacBookPro 15" (MacBookPro11,2 model) . A few years ago, I've replaced the Apple ssd with a combo Syntech short adapter/Sabrent Rocket Nvme ssd . Everything ran fine for a few years.
Two 1/2 years ago I've replaced the Sabrent 512MB ssd with a Crucial P2 1TB one.
Since a few months, I'm experiencing random freeze of the Mac, rebooting being the only cure.
The crash message is explicitely referencing the NVNe controller :
panic(cpu 6 caller 0xffffff80143886a2): nvme: "3rd party NVMe controller. Loss of MMIO space. Write. fBuiltIn=1 MODEL=CT1000P2SSD8 FW=P2CR033 CSTS=0xffffffff US[1]=0x0 US[0]=0x81 VID=0xc0a9 DID=0x540a CRITICAL_WARNING=0x0.\n" @IONVMeController.cpp:6090

I was just wondering if, by replacing my "old" Syntech adapter with a new one (now manufactured with kapton tape on contacts), I would have a good chance to solve my issue ?
Does it make any sense to try to protect the contacts on my former Syntech adapter by kapton tape ?
Any reported experience of such a fix ?

(I'm running MacOS Monterey thanks to OpenCore 2.2)

Thanks for any advice and/or comment.

I had problems with short circuit (and KP) on my MBA7,2. I put Kapton tape on the aluminum back just below the SSD and it solver the problem.

It could be short circuit and then, Kapton tape would solve the problem, but if you search this thread for Loss of MMIO space you will notice that it happens mostly with Monterey.
If you have space, try to create a new volume and install Sonoma or Ventura on it just to test.

Also, over time, the SSD + adapter starts to get loose. A simple reseat would suffice. That happened to my MBP11,2 a year ago.

 

[sfphoto]

The PCIe I have is a TimeTec 12+16 pin PCIe. I partitioned HFS+ for booting to different OS.
This drive is a direct plugin on the MacBook motherboard.

Have not finished setting it up yet so have not installed.

 

[Cancunia]

Just installed a KIngston NV3 1TB SSD with Anyoyo short adaptor both bought from Amazon UK and all seems to be fine on my MacBook Air A1466 2013. I first installed Big Sur onto the original Mac SSD in order to get the firmware up to date. When I first powered up the Macbook after installing the Kingston SSD, the Mac recognised the SSD and gave the option to initialise. After that all went fine with the install of Big Sur & then Linux on a separate partition.

 

[LongReach_2910]

I managed to get my Macbook Pro 2015 to recognise my Fanxiang 4TB ssd. I did this by installing Catalina instead of sierra on my bootable usb. I was then able to format my new Fanxiang SSD to AFPS. And Although I have had this for only 3 days now, I have not experienced any "Kernel panics", My Macbook Pro can also go into "sleep" and "Power Nap". I have updated to the latest Monterey 12.7.6 which is the highest update for this type of Macbook.

I've noticed that when I go to system preferences, this drive is labelled as "Non-writable", what does that mean and is it a problem?

I bought this from Ebay for $270AU on special, thats about $170 USD. What tools can be used to monitor the read and write speeds of my ssd? Also how do I know if trim is turned on? Is there anything I should look out for in regards to new third party ssd's?

One last thing, is there a way I can use a "USB enclosure" to boot from my old SSD from a usb port and use the OS on the old SSD?

 

[AlexMaximus]

I have a short tech question regarding SSD Adapter and saturated SATA bus systems:

The second Gen SSD that came after the SATA SSD we all know, was the AHCI M2 blades that still used an internal SATA protocol. Because of this older computers see AHCI blades still as an SATA device and are managed through SATA drivers. Of course, since its within the same protocol, there are adapters aut there that has a SATA form factor but can accommodate an AHCI blade.

Here is the question:
If I use a faster AHCI blade inside a SATA adapter such as the one below, will I have faster speeds? Most likely I will not be able to get more date over the saturated limited SATA bus? Where is that SATA bus limit? I read around 550MB/sec? But the AHCI blade should be "internally" a lot faster (because of better controller chip), the speed should be increased despite the limited bus.
Did anybody of You use such an adapter, and did you experience some speed increase over the old SATA SSD in a Macbook??

 

[joevt]

I have a short tech question regarding SSD Adapter and saturated SATA bus systems:

The second Gen SSD that came after the SATA SSD we all know, was the AHCI M2 blades that still used an internal SATA protocol. Because of this older computers see AHCI blades still as an SATA device and are managed through SATA drivers. Of course, since its within the same protocol, there are adapters aut there that has a SATA form factor but can accommodate an AHCI blade.

Here is the question:
If I use a faster AHCI blade inside a SATA adapter such as the one below, will I have faster speeds? Most likely I will not be able to get more date over the saturated limited SATA bus? Where is that SATA bus limit? I read around 550MB/sec? But the AHCI blade should be "internally" a lot faster (because of better controller chip), the speed should be increased despite the limited bus.
Did anybody of You use such an adapter, and did you experience some speed increase over the old SATA SSD in a Macbook??


View attachment 2481442

AHCI M2 blades are socket 3 key M PCIe devices. SATA adapters usually require a socket 2 key B SATA device.
https://www.atpinc.com/blog/what-is-m.2-M-B-BM-key-socket-3

I don't think an AHCI or NVMe M.2 device (both are PCIe) can work in a SATA adapter (requires SATA).
https://www.startech.com/en-us/hdd/25s22m2ngffr

A SATA adapter that could accept an AHCI or NVMe M.2 device would require a SATA to AHCI or NVME bridge chip similar to a USB to NVMe bridge chip.
I don't think such a bridge chip exists?

 

[StardustOne]

I managed to get my Macbook Pro 2015 to recognise my Fanxiang 4TB ssd. I did this by installing Catalina instead of sierra on my bootable usb. I was then able to format my new Fanxiang SSD to AFPS. And Although I have had this for only 3 days now, I have not experienced any "Kernel panics", My Macbook Pro can also go into "sleep" and "Power Nap". I have updated to the latest Monterey 12.7.6 which is the highest update for this type of Macbook.

I've noticed that when I go to system preferences, this drive is labelled as "Non-writable", what does that mean and is it a problem?

I bought this from Ebay for $270AU on special, thats about $170 USD. What tools can be used to monitor the read and write speeds of my ssd? Also how do I know if trim is turned on? Is there anything I should look out for in regards to new third party ssd's?

One last thing, is there a way I can use a "USB enclosure" to boot from my old SSD from a usb port and use the OS on the old SSD?

Fanxiang 12+16 pin Apple compatible SSDs:

Thank you for the very positive feedback on the Fanxiang 4TB SSD instalation. I myself did install 1 x 512 GB in an MBA 2013 successfully and did the same with a Fanxiang 1TB SSD for two MBA 2015. No issues whatsoever, all works fine, sleep mode, wake up from sleep, not a single issue also on my side.

Regarding USB enclosures:

There are a few USB enclosures available on Amazon or Aliexpress that have the 12+16 pin Apple SSD internal connector so that you can use such SSDs. These enclosures are in general a bit higher priced, though.

These are a few examples:

https://www.amazon.com/Enclosure-MacBook-Portable-Storage-Compatible/dp/B09PFQX277/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2L34F4A2US3CH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yx66dMvTgYX99mZPf2EIpFWRL_o1a55XpOOODZhSfP7EAz9_XzMGT09HH0hE1dYqGeXBrwWh9RI_B8857TKGA1CYZvL0oxjtsrlOnF91wzML9ZWJhC4aQoHOP2XQCFwET2sxFjOtiR2CVZY8i_XnioC32TjVEXoT_5sCjpBoU_0kWp50DpMIQAdnWSdIA4iOF0KBTd3gF69V7R03ELHGeJhiLvACdSufAPujjODdJxY.xowak1qXanIwLWwbClNiIa3lIRnUOAUM-zXJ-Sgs3_U&dib_tag=se&keywords=usb%2Benclosure%2B12%2B16%2Bapple&qid=1739517107&sprefix=usb%2Benclosure%2B12%2B16%2Bappl%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-4&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Jorkar-External-Enclosure-2013-2017-Portable/dp/B0CP2KLQKN/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2L34F4A2US3CH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yx66dMvTgYX99mZPf2EIpFWRL_o1a55XpOOODZhSfP7EAz9_XzMGT09HH0hE1dYqGeXBrwWh9RI_B8857TKGA1CYZvL0oxjtsrlOnF91wzML9ZWJhC4aQoHOP2XQCFwET2sxFjOtiR2CVZY8i_XnioC32TjVEXoT_5sCjpBoU_0kWp50DpMIQAdnWSdIA4iOF0KBTd3gF69V7R03ELHGeJhiLvACdSufAPujjODdJxY.xowak1qXanIwLWwbClNiIa3lIRnUOAUM-zXJ-Sgs3_U&dib_tag=se&keywords=usb%2Benclosure%2B12%2B16%2Bapple&qid=1739517107&sprefix=usb%2Benclosure%2B12%2B16%2Bappl%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-2&th=1

 

[jolejeune]

I had problems with short circuit (and KP) on my MBA7,2. I put Kapton tape on the aluminum back just below the SSD and it solver the problem.

It could be short circuit and then, Kapton tape would solve the problem, but if you search this thread for Loss of MMIO space you will notice that it happens mostly with Monterey.
If you have space, try to create a new volume and install Sonoma or Ventura on it just to test.

Also, over time, the SSD + adapter starts to get loose. A simple reseat would suffice. That happened to my MBP11,2 a year ago.

Sorry for being late while replying...
Many thanks for your comments.
Resetting the NVRAM and reseating the SSD makes my system more stable since a few days...
Let's cross fingers !

 

[Meddvedd]

I managed to get my Macbook Pro 2015 to recognise my ssd. I did this by installing Catalina instead of sierra on my bootable usb. I was then able to format my new Fanxiang SSD to AFPS. And Although I have had this for only 3 days now, I have not experienced any "Kernel panics", My Macbook Pro can also go into "sleep" and "Power Nap". I have updated to the latest Monterey 12.7.6 which is the highest update for this type of Macbook.

I've noticed that when I go to system preferences, this drive is labelled as "Non-writable", what does that mean and is it a problem?

I bought this from Ebay for $270AU on special, thats about $170 USD. What tools can be used to monitor the read and write speeds of my ssd? Also how do I know if trim is turned on? Is there anything I should look out for in regards to new third party ssd's?

One last thing, is there a way I can use a "USB enclosure" to boot from my old SSD from a usb port and use the OS on the old SSD?

Do you know, Is this Fanxiang 4TB compatible with MacBook Pro 15' mid 2014? Any issue with Non-Writable mark?
BTW, the ORIGINAL drive has also status non-writable

What the model of Fanxiang? S501Q?
What's about it's speed, temperature, etc? Is it hotter than original?

 

[Meddvedd]

Regarding USB enclosures:

There are a few USB enclosures available on Amazon or Aliexpress that have the 12+16 pin Apple SSD internal connector so that you can use such SSDs. These enclosures are in general a bit higher priced, though.

These are a few examples:

https://www.amazon.com/Enclosure-MacBook-Portable-Storage-Compatible/dp/B09PFQX277/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2L34F4A2US3CH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yx66dMvTgYX99mZPf2EIpFWRL_o1a55XpOOODZhSfP7EAz9_XzMGT09HH0hE1dYqGeXBrwWh9RI_B8857TKGA1CYZvL0oxjtsrlOnF91wzML9ZWJhC4aQoHOP2XQCFwET2sxFjOtiR2CVZY8i_XnioC32TjVEXoT_5sCjpBoU_0kWp50DpMIQAdnWSdIA4iOF0KBTd3gF69V7R03ELHGeJhiLvACdSufAPujjODdJxY.xowak1qXanIwLWwbClNiIa3lIRnUOAUM-zXJ-Sgs3_U&dib_tag=se&keywords=usb%2Benclosure%2B12%2B16%2Bapple&qid=1739517107&sprefix=usb%2Benclosure%2B12%2B16%2Bappl%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-4&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Jorkar-External-Enclosure-2013-2017-Portable/dp/B0CP2KLQKN/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2L34F4A2US3CH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yx66dMvTgYX99mZPf2EIpFWRL_o1a55XpOOODZhSfP7EAz9_XzMGT09HH0hE1dYqGeXBrwWh9RI_B8857TKGA1CYZvL0oxjtsrlOnF91wzML9ZWJhC4aQoHOP2XQCFwET2sxFjOtiR2CVZY8i_XnioC32TjVEXoT_5sCjpBoU_0kWp50DpMIQAdnWSdIA4iOF0KBTd3gF69V7R03ELHGeJhiLvACdSufAPujjODdJxY.xowak1qXanIwLWwbClNiIa3lIRnUOAUM-zXJ-Sgs3_U&dib_tag=se&keywords=usb%2Benclosure%2B12%2B16%2Bapple&qid=1739517107&sprefix=usb%2Benclosure%2B12%2B16%2Bappl%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-2&th=1

Sorry for the rude question
May I use the internal adapter from these enclosures INSIDE the MacBook Pro 15' mid 2014 to connect this Fanxiang or any other NVMe SSD? Is it the same as mentioned short Sintech 2013b?
Or I need long adapter Sintech 2013C?
What is the difference between long and short adapters?

And can I use the original AppleSSD in these enclosures without any adapters?

 

[kolvorok]

3) You would have to double check through the thread BUT MAYBE some readers solved something similar by buying a cheap USB external case for NVME drives and formatting and then installing MAC OS on the external drive before moving the SSD internally.

I've tried this and it doesn't change anything. The SSD is still missing from macOS, Disk Utility and Terminal. The 2 SSDs I'd use was Kingston NV3 1TB. Everything was updated and ok via SilentKnight.

 

[kolvorok]

What is the difference between long and short adapters?

And can I use the original AppleSSD in these enclosures without any adapters?

The only difference between long and short adapters is that short ones takes less place. That could be better for cooling in a laptop. And yes, the short adapter could be used both with an external enclosure or inside a mac.

 

[Meddvedd]

Is it necessary to install any heat sink on SSD? And what would fit in there?

 

[kolvorok]

Is it necessary to install any heat sink on SSD? And what would fit in there?

If you do a lot of heavy work it's good to watch the temperature - there is av few menu-tools for that. You can use a heatsink, but not more than 1,5-2 mm and only with the short adapter.

 

[splifingate]

Senario:

A 2015 MacBook that will eventually have a new PCIe presently has 10.13 or higher on it's internal PCIe.

The new PCIe is externally mounted, formatted w/10.13 and a 10.13 working volume cloned to it. The target MacBook starts and runs fine from the external.

Is it safe to then assume the external PCIe can be put inside the MacBook and be set to go since the MacBook was running on an OS of 10.13 or higher?

Thanks for reading and commenting!

No "thing" is truly safe.

If said 2015 MacBook is dis-assembled appropriately (and said dis-assembler removed the battery cable-from plug prior), it should be safe to assume that success is at-hand in your particular use-case scenario.

Of course, one would necessarily come to be concerned that the appropriate m.2 interface-adapter is being used; and that appropriate handling of all electronics is assured.

Given all that..

Worse-Case Scenario: you fried your m.2

Best-Case Scenario: you reach your Desktop

A lot can go wrong, Brother. And, a lot can go right

All the details that you may have read about these things, have been written by those who chose to just try the steps to ultimately achieve their goal.

The Science is in the Experimentation; Faith is a by-product of successfully repeating the Experiment

 

[chriscola]

Which NVME SDD 1GB and which adapter is recommended :

MacBookPro Retina 15 late 2013 / ID MacBookPro11,3 (A1398)
Systemfirmware 429.0.0.0.0
Sequoia 15.3.1 wich OCLP 2.20 is currently installed
Apple SSD SM0512F

Maybe a NVME which chould be used later (if the MacBook breaks) on external thunderbolt enclosure vom Acasis.
Does Samsung 980Pro or WD SN850X work. (recommended from Acasis)

Which speeds can i expect for this MacBookPro ?

Does it work, clone (SuperDuper, CCC) the internal drive to NVME (external usb enclosure) and afterwards change the SSD ?

 

[sfphoto]

chriscola wrote: "Which NVME SDD 1GB and which adapter"

Personally I would get a used PCIe Apple/Samsung 1tb SSUAX 2 line ACHI
(the 2013 MBP AFAIK would not benefit from a SSUBX 4 line)
The above comes w/ or w/o a heat sink, check for clearance if buying the later.

Used SSUBX may even come with OSX installed, even if not you can install in your MBP then start in target mode, connect to another Mac or start from an external that has a cloned OSX 10.10 or newer.

I wanted to get the above for a MBA but found that the above is wider than the 512gb & smaller Apple PCIe drives & will not fit in a MBA, so for the MBA I used:
TimeTec 1tb Mac model 12+16 PCIe. It does not require any adapter.
amazon.com/dp/B09D8TCGG6/

To clone you need only get an enclosure if you want to use it in the future w/ your present internal plus some enclosures. Other wise you can use a couple of adapters if you use a Mac design PCIe.

For the TimeTec (did not work w/ Apple PCIe)
PCIe to NVMe
amazon.com/dp/B017QXT8IS
NVMe to USB
amazon.com/dp/B0CB45PRMF
(this might work w/ the Apple - B0BJCYR1P7)

 

[sfphoto]

The PCIe I have is a TimeTec 12+16 pin PCIe. I partitioned HFS+ for booting to different OS.
This drive is a direct plugin on the MacBook motherboard.

Have not finished setting it up yet so have not installed.

Went smoothly. Working fine however S_L_O_W start up, 30sec w/ High Sierra w/ no log-in items (listed)

 

[RoboMcD]

Macbook Air 13" early 2015 bought in 2017 (MBA 7.2), 1.6 GHz i5, 128 GB SSD, 8 GB RAM. Running Monetery v 12.7.6 (latest possible update) and I have a Monterey bootable install drive (I have used it to make a clean install going from Mojave to Monetery, all works fine).

I just bought the Sintech long adapter, almost the last one available here in the Czech Republic (Europe). Cannot get the short version here, only through amazon.de or sintech-shop.de.

I was checking which modern nVMEs are compatible because most of the nVMEs mentioned in post 1 are older types.

I can get the Kingston KC3000 and the SK Hynik platinum p41 here for around $90 and the Adata XPG SX8200 Pro for $60, all for the 1 TB versions. Then I noticed that both the Kingston and the Hynik are only around 2.2 mm thick, while the Adata is 3.5 mm thick.

Q1) would the thinner ones work with the long adapter and the thicker Adata not so good causing the earlier mentioned bulging?

Q2) I can get the 512 GB version of the Kingston KC3000 for the same $60. Would that be a good choice for my upgrade and does it work with bootcamp running W10?

I do not need more space, actually for what I am using the laptop even 250 GB would probably enough. Video editing etc for our non-profit I will be doing on the new DIY Desktop I am planning to make soon (waiting for the Intel Core Ultra 5 245 non-K).

 

[zgagato]

The Hynix drive is better quality. Kingston is ok for ram but Ssds are quite poor.

 

[RoboMcD]

I cannot get the P41 500 GB here, and actually some post comment that the Hynix can run warm/hot? I can get it from Germany, but it would take some weeks.

Any other thin SSD then the Kingston that is good quality and fits?

In this respect, given the speed limits of the MBA, I really do not want to spent $$$ on a super size super speed SSD, 500GB is the max for me unless I can get a very good deal on a 1 TB.

Edit: does anybody has experience using the Sk Hynix Platinum 41 in an MB AIR?

 

[RoboMcD]

I can get the SK Hynix 500 GB from Germany for $65, would be here in a week.

 

[iqmac]

Just finished upgrading my 512GB Early 2015 MacBook Pro 13" Retina 12,1 A1502 as I had to replace the battery.

Installed a Crucial P3 1TB SSD using the Sintech mini adapter. Didn't really need more storage but since I had the laptop open decided to future-proof it for my needs.

Used SuperDuper to clone the old drive running Ventura 13.7.4 with OCLP 2.2.0 to the new drive, installed it, and the system came up and is working fine.

Ian