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Can I upgrade the SSD in my MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)

I was wondering if it's possible to switch out the currently installed SSD:

Physical Drive: Device Name: APPLE SSD SM0256G


I would like either a 512gb or 1tb. Has anyone already done this? Will Apple do this or does it need to go somewhere else?

When they do it, is it possible to reload all the data that's already on there, as in, will a backup and then restore work or because of the difference in SDD size, will the restore not work and it will need to be rebuilt as a new computer?


Thanks so much.

MacBook Pro Retina

Posted on Aug 15, 2019 5:59 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Aug 15, 2019 6:52 AM

Apple does not do upgrades so you either need to do it yourself or seek out an Apple-trained third-party tech.


Information on the upgrade showing parts for your MacBook pro sub-model and typical pricing are here:


https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/macbook-pro-retina-display/2013-2014-2015


If you wish to see what is involved before deciding on the do-it-yourself option, this install video will help:


https://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook_pro_retina_15_inch_2013_2014_2015_ssd/MacBookPro11-4/


The way to be sure all your old data is moved is to place the new drive in an external enclosure and clone the existing drive to it. The "kit" option on the page I page I linked comes with a drive enclosure that makes this part easy.


I use the free version of Carbon Copy Cloner because it does a very nice job of creating the important recovery partition that you may need in the future for troubleshooting/repair. Get it only from the developers' site: https://bombich.com

7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 15, 2019 6:52 AM in response to bh-newy

Apple does not do upgrades so you either need to do it yourself or seek out an Apple-trained third-party tech.


Information on the upgrade showing parts for your MacBook pro sub-model and typical pricing are here:


https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/macbook-pro-retina-display/2013-2014-2015


If you wish to see what is involved before deciding on the do-it-yourself option, this install video will help:


https://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook_pro_retina_15_inch_2013_2014_2015_ssd/MacBookPro11-4/


The way to be sure all your old data is moved is to place the new drive in an external enclosure and clone the existing drive to it. The "kit" option on the page I page I linked comes with a drive enclosure that makes this part easy.


I use the free version of Carbon Copy Cloner because it does a very nice job of creating the important recovery partition that you may need in the future for troubleshooting/repair. Get it only from the developers' site: https://bombich.com

Aug 15, 2019 7:04 AM in response to bh-newy

An independent AASP may perform the upgrade for you.


If you do the upgrade, make sure to keep the original Apple SSD since it is sometimes required to install system firmware updates. For some reason Apple's firmware installers sometimes will not work when using a third party SSD in the Retina laptops.

Aug 15, 2019 8:55 AM in response to bh-newy

As far as I know, Apple doesn’t do it, and AASPs aren't supposed to be able to order a replacement SSD unless it’s for a failing SSD. And even then it has to be the equivalent part/capacity.


There are third party SSDs from OWC and Transcend where the seller claims they will work. No seller has an external USB enclosure for your SSD.


The way to do it would be to create a backup. It could be a bootable clone or a Time Machine backup. Then it could be cloned back to your new drive or Time Machine can boot externally and be used to restore to your new drive.

Aug 15, 2019 9:52 AM in response to y_p_w

y_p_w wrote:

As far as I know, Apple doesn’t do it, and AASPs aren't supposed to be able to order a replacement SSD unless it’s for a failing SSD. And even then it has to be the equivalent part/capacity.

I mentioned independent AASPs as they may sometimes provide extra services by installing third party upgrades.



There are third party SSDs from OWC and Transcend where the seller claims they will work. No seller has an external USB enclosure for your SSD.

OWC makes the Envoy Pro enclosures for use with the original Apple SSDs. Make sure to select the correct one for your particular Mac. ONLY the Apple SSD will work with these enclosures.

https://eshop.macsales.com/search/?q=envoy%20pro%20enclosure&filter.catidpath=4353&filter.dimension_type_135=Bare%20Enclosure%20Only




Aug 15, 2019 10:01 AM in response to HWTech

I got the cutoff point wrong on when the Envoy Pro series stops supporting Apple SSDs.


However, I’ve heard from many third party repair places that they won’t specifically become AASPs because Apple wouldn’t allow them to perform any service that Apple doesn’t do themselves or isn't considered suitable for DIY (like a SATA drive or RAM installation). And dropping in a Transcend SSD is definitely not kosher for Apple.

Can I upgrade the SSD in my MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015)

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