MacBook SSD Upgrade Guide: How to Replace Your Mac's SSD
Is your MacBook running out of storage or feeling sluggish? Upgrading the internal SSD is one of the most cost-effective ways to extend the life of your Mac — and it's easier than you might think.
Why Upgrade Your MacBook's SSD?
If you own a MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, or Mac Pro from the 2013–2017 era, chances are you're dealing with one (or both) of these problems: your storage is nearly full, or your Mac feels noticeably slower than it used to.
The good news? You don't need to buy a new computer. Replacing the internal SSD can dramatically improve performance — faster boot times, quicker app launches, and snappier file transfers — while expanding your storage from the original 128GB or 256GB to up to 2TB.
Compared to buying a new MacBook, an SSD upgrade costs a fraction of the price and can make your aging Mac feel like a completely different machine.
Step 1: Check If Your Mac Is Compatible
Before purchasing an SSD, you need to confirm your Mac model supports an internal SSD upgrade. Newer models (2018+) have soldered storage that cannot be replaced.
How to Find Your Mac Model
- Click the Apple menu (top-left corner) → About This Mac
- Note your Model Name, Year, and Model Identifier
- For the exact model number (A1XXX), check the bottom of your Mac or go to System Report → Hardware Overview
Compatible Models
MacBook Air 11"
| Model Number | Year | Identifier |
| A1465 | Mid 2013 | MacBook Air 6,1 |
| A1465 | Early 2014 | MacBook Air 6,1 |
| A1465 | Early 2015 | MacBook Air 7,1 |
MacBook Air 13"
| Model Number | Year | Identifier |
| A1466 | Mid 2013 | MacBook Air 6,2 |
| A1466 | Early 2014 | MacBook Air 6,2 |
| A1466 | Early 2015 | MacBook Air 7,2 |
| A1466 | Mid 2017 | MacBook Air 7,2 |
MacBook Pro 13" (Retina)
| Model Number | Year | Identifier |
| A1502 | Late 2013 | MacBook Pro 11,1 |
| A1502 | Mid 2014 | MacBook Pro 11,1 |
| A1502 | Early 2015 | MacBook Pro 12,1 |
MacBook Pro 15" (Retina)
| Model Number | Year | Identifier |
| A1398 | Late 2013 | MacBook Pro 11,2 / 11,3 |
| A1398 | Mid 2014 | MacBook Pro 11,2 / 11,3 |
| A1398 | Mid 2015 | MacBook Pro 11,4 / 11,5 |
iMac 21.5"
| Model Number | Year | Identifier |
| A1418 | Late 2013 | iMac 14,1 / 14,3 |
| A1418 | Mid 2014 | iMac 14,4 |
| A1418 | Late 2015 | iMac 16,1 / 16,2 |
| A1418 | Early 2017 | iMac 18,1 / 18,2 |
iMac 27"
| Model Number | Year | Identifier |
| A1419 | Late 2013 | iMac 14,2 |
| A1419 | Late 2014 | iMac 15,1 |
| A1419 | Mid 2015 | iMac 15,1 |
| A1419 | Late 2015 | iMac 17,1 |
| A1419 | Mid 2017 | iMac 18,3 |
Mac mini
| Model Number | Year | Identifier |
| A1347 | Late 2014 | Mac Mini 7,1 |
Mac Pro
| Model Number | Year | Identifier |
| A1481 | Late 2013 | Mac Pro 6,1 |
Important: If your Mac is not on this list — especially 2018 or newer models — the SSD is soldered to the logic board and cannot be replaced.
Step 2: Choose the Right SSD
You generally have three options for upgrading your Mac's SSD:
Option A: Generic NVMe SSD + Adapter
Use a standard M.2 NVMe SSD (like Samsung 980 or WD Black) with a third-party adapter (such as Sintech) to fit Apple's proprietary connector. This is the cheapest route, but comes with notable drawbacks:
- Adapter compatibility issues — not all adapters work reliably with all Mac models
- Standby/sleep problems — 2013–2014 models may experience kernel panics when entering standby mode, requiring terminal commands to disable standby
- Driver compatibility — some SSD brands (notably Samsung) have reported boot issues on macOS Monterey and later
- No dedicated support — if something goes wrong, you're on your own
Option B: Mac-Specific SSDs (OWC, Transcend)
Companies like OWC (Aura Pro) and Transcend (JetDrive) sell SSDs specifically designed for Mac. These are plug-and-play with no adapter needed, but:
- Higher price per gigabyte compared to other options
- Lower speeds — typically 800–950 MB/s read, well below the PCIe bus potential
- Limited capacity options
Option C: OSCOO ON900A — Purpose-Built for Mac (Recommended)
The OSCOO ON900A is designed specifically for Mac systems from 2013–2017. It uses Apple's native PCIe connector — no adapter needed — while delivering the full performance of PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 NVMe.
Key specs:
- Interface: PCIe Gen 3.0 x4 NVMe
- Read/Write speed: Up to 3,500 / 3,000 MB/s
- Capacities: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
- NAND Flash: 3D TLC
- Features: TRIM, NCQ, S.M.A.R.T support
Why we recommend the ON900A:
- No adapter required — plugs directly into your Mac's SSD slot, eliminating the most common source of compatibility issues
- Full NVMe speed — up to 3,500 MB/s read, significantly faster than OWC/Transcend alternatives
- No standby issues — the native Apple connector avoids the sleep/wake kernel panics that plague generic NVMe + adapter setups on 2013–2014 models
- Complete installation support — step-by-step video tutorials and a dedicated support team
- Competitive pricing — better value per GB than other Mac-specific solutions
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Generic NVMe + Adapter | OWC / Transcend | OSCOO ON900A |
| Adapter needed? | Yes | No | No |
| Max read speed | Varies (limited by adapter) | ~950 MB/s | Up to 3,500 MB/s |
| Standby issues (2013-14)? | Possible | No | No |
| macOS compatibility risk | Medium-High | Low | Low |
| Installation support | Community forums | Manufacturer docs | Full video tutorials + dedicated team |
| Price per GB | Lowest | Highest | Mid-range |
| Capacities | Up to 4TB | Up to 2TB | Up to 2TB |
Step 3: Prepare Before You Start
Back Up Your Data
This is non-negotiable. Use Time Machine to create a full backup:
- Connect an external hard drive
- Go to System Preferences → Time Machine
- Select the external drive and start the backup
- Wait for the backup to complete fully
Verify Your macOS Version
Your Mac must be running macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later before installing a new NVMe SSD. Older versions of macOS cannot recognize NVMe drives.
To check: Apple menu → About This Mac — the version number is at the top.
If you're on an older version, update your macOS before swapping the SSD. This is critical — if you skip this step, your Mac simply won't see the new drive.
Gather Your Tools
- P5 Pentalobe screwdriver — for the bottom case screws (five-pointed star)
- T5 Torx screwdriver — for the SSD retaining screw (six-pointed star)
- A clean, well-lit workspace
- A small container for screws
- Optionally, a 16GB+ USB flash drive for creating a bootable macOS installer
Tip: Take a photo of the screw layout before removing them — the screws may have different lengths depending on their position.
Step 4: Physical Installation (Step-by-Step)
We'll use the OSCOO ON900A as our example. Since it uses the native Apple connector, the process is straightforward — no adapter to worry about.
4.1 Power Down and Open the Case
- Shut down your Mac completely (don't just close the lid)
- Disconnect the charger and all peripherals
- Flip the MacBook over on a soft surface
- Use the P5 Pentalobe screwdriver to remove all bottom case screws
- Carefully lift off the bottom cover
4.2 Disconnect the Battery
Before touching any internal components, disconnect the battery connector. This is a small ribbon cable near the center of the logic board. Gently pry it up using a plastic spudger or your fingernail — never use a metal tool for this step.
4.3 Remove the Old SSD
- Locate the SSD — on 13" MacBook Pro (2013–2015), it's near the trackpad area; on 15" models, it's below the left fan
- Remove the single T5 Torx screw holding the SSD in place
- Gently pull the SSD out of the slot at a slight angle
4.4 Install the ON900A
- Align the ON900A with the SSD slot — the connector has a specific orientation, so don't force it
- Slide it in at a slight angle until it's fully seated
- Press it down flat and secure it with the T5 Torx screw
4.5 Reassemble
- Reconnect the battery connector
- Place the bottom cover back on
- Replace all Pentalobe screws in their original positions
Note: For iMac and Mac mini, the disassembly process is different and more involved. OSCOO provides model-specific video tutorials on their installation guide page.
Step 5: Install macOS
Since the ON900A comes without a pre-installed operating system, you'll need to install macOS after the physical installation. There are two methods:
Method A: Internet Recovery (Recommended — Try This First)
- Power on your Mac
- Immediately press and hold Command + Option + R
- Keep holding until you see a spinning globe — this means your Mac is connecting to Apple's servers
- Once the macOS Utilities screen appears, select Disk Utility
- Find the new ON900A drive in the left sidebar
- Click Erase, choose APFS format and GUID Partition Map scheme, then click Erase
- Close Disk Utility and select Reinstall macOS
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation
Note: Internet Recovery requires a stable Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection. The download can take 30–60 minutes depending on your internet speed.
Method B: Bootable USB Installer (Backup Method)
If Internet Recovery fails (due to network issues or other reasons), you can install macOS from a bootable USB drive. You'll need access to a second Mac or your old SSD to create the installer.
- Reinstall your old SSD temporarily (or use another Mac)
- Download the macOS installer from the App Store or Apple's website
- Create a bootable USB drive using the createinstallmedia command in Terminal:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [Version].app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyUSB
- Swap the ON900A back in
- Boot your Mac while holding the Option (Alt) key
- Select the USB installer from the startup disk options
- Use Disk Utility to format the ON900A (APFS + GUID), then install macOS
OSCOO provides detailed video walkthroughs for both installation methods on their support page, including the exact download links and terminal commands you'll need.
Step 6: Post-Installation Setup and Verification
Restore Your Data
Once macOS is installed, you can restore your files from the Time Machine backup:
- During the initial macOS setup, choose "Transfer Information to This Mac"
- Select your Time Machine backup drive
- Choose which data to restore (apps, settings, files, etc.)
Verify SSD Performance
To confirm your new SSD is performing as expected:
- Open About This Mac → System Report → NVMExpress to verify the drive is detected
- Download Blackmagic Disk Speed Test (free on the App Store) to benchmark your read/write speeds
- With the ON900A, you should see read speeds approaching 2,000–3,500 MB/s depending on your Mac model and capacity
Keep in mind: Actual speeds depend on your Mac's PCIe bus generation. 2013–2014 models use PCIe 2.0, which caps maximum throughput lower than 2015+ models with PCIe 3.0 support. The ON900A will still deliver the fastest speeds your Mac's hardware can support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My Mac doesn't recognize the new SSD after installation. What should I do?
This almost always means your macOS version is too old. Your Mac must have been running macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later before the SSD swap. If you forgot this step, reinstall your old SSD, update macOS to 10.13+, then swap in the new SSD again.
Q: I'm getting kernel panics or crashes when my Mac goes to sleep.
This is a known issue with generic NVMe SSDs used with third-party adapters on 2013–2014 models. The workaround involves disabling standby mode via Terminal. If you're using the ON900A with its native Apple connector, this issue should not occur.
Q: Can I use the ON900A in a 2018 or newer MacBook?
No. Starting in 2018, Apple soldered the SSD directly to the logic board, making upgrades impossible. The ON900A is compatible with 2013–2017 models only.
Q: What's the difference between Internet Recovery keyboard shortcuts?
- Command + R — reinstalls the macOS version that was last installed on your Mac
- Command + Option + R — installs the latest compatible macOS version (recommended)
- Command + Shift + Option + R — installs the macOS that shipped with your Mac originally
Q: Do I need to format the new SSD before installing macOS?
Yes. Use Disk Utility during the recovery process to erase the new SSD with APFS format and GUID Partition Map scheme before installing macOS.
Q: Can I keep my old SSD as an external drive?
Yes! You can purchase an external enclosure compatible with Apple's proprietary SSD connector (such as the OWC Envoy Pro) and use your old SSD as a portable backup drive.
Conclusion
Upgrading the SSD in your 2013–2017 Mac is one of the best investments you can make. For less than the cost of a few accessories, you can transform a sluggish, storage-starved machine into something that feels fast and spacious again.
If you want a hassle-free upgrade experience without the risks of adapters and compatibility headaches, the OSCOO ON900A is purpose-built for the job — native Mac connector, full NVMe speed, and complete installation support to guide you through every step.
Ready to upgrade? Shop the ON900A →
Need help with installation? Visit our step-by-step installation guide with video tutorials →
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