Introduction
Use this guide to upgrade or replace the solid-state drive in a MacBook Pro 15” Mid 2012. This MacBook Pro uses a proprietary storage drive connector, and is therefore not compatible with common M.2 drives without the use of an adapter.
Before you perform this repair, if at all possible, back up your existing SSD. Then, either familiarize yourself with internet recovery or create a bootable external drive so you’ll be ready to install macOS onto your new drive and migrate your data to the new SSD.
Finally, we strongly recommend installing macOS 10.13 High Sierra (or a later macOS) before replacing the original SSD from your MacBook Pro. Most new SSDs require updated storage drivers not found in versions of macOS prior to High Sierra.
Tools
Parts
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Remove the following P5 pentalobe screws securing the lower case to the MacBook Pro:
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Eight 3.0 mm
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Two 2.3 mm
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Lifting from the edge nearest the clutch cover, lift the lower case off the MacBook Pro.
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Set the lower case aside.
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Using the flat end of a spudger, gently pry the battery connector straight up out of its socket on the logic board.
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Bend the battery cables back and out of the way, ensuring that the battery connector doesn't accidentally make contact with the logic board.
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Slightly lift the leftmost side of the SSD and firmly slide it straight away out of its socket on the logic board.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
19 comments
Hello,
Thank you for this tutorial.
But can you tell me more information for the SSD?
What's the connexion? It's a M2 SSD or a SSD Sata 3?
Thank for your help.
Hi Daniel, I have the same question. Did you get an answer yet, M.2 SSD or SSD SATA?
I have an SSD from MacBook Pro 15" Retina Display Mid 2012, and now, I'm using a newer model of MacBook Pro.
I'm trying to recover my data o that SSD and have been trying to find the SSD to USB adapter/converter online but haven't found a fit.
I also posted my question here: https://discussions.apple.com/message/31...
Can you help?
Thanks,
Hi, I followed your guide and changed the ssd to 1Tb.
But when I turn on the laptop, i get the folder with question mark. If I hold Option key while turning on, I get internet renewal option but once trying to run it, the disk is not found. Please help me with this issue fixing. Thanks. Andrej
Andrej -
did you ever get the answer for this?
You have to format the drive in Disk Utility. You can do so when you boot up in recovery mode.
To remove the back panel there are two different pentalobe screws 2.3mm and 3mm however on the tools list there is only one screwdriver. Will I be able to remove both screws with the same screwdriver?
lantzero -
The 2.0 and 2.3 mm measurements are screw lengths, the screw heads are the same sized P5 pentalobe heads. We include the screw lengths so you don't put the wrong screws in the wrong places and end up with screw heads poking out of your device. Hope that clears up some confusion =)
Sam Goldheart -
Yes the same screwdriver will remove both screws, the difference in screws I believe is the length and width but the head is the same.
Mike -
Just be careful to store the 2 shorter screws in a seperate space then the other 3mm screws.
The first time I opened up my Macbook, I put the screws in the wrong order.
Shahzad Arif -