How to Replace the SSD in your Mac mini (2024)

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Comments: 29

How to Replace the SSD in your Mac mini (2024)

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

30 - 45 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the SSD, or flash storage module, in your Mac mini (2024).

This guide was written with a base model M4 Mac mini. Although the SSD for the M4 Pro model is longer and in a different position, the disassembly procedure is the same.

While the Mac mini's SSD looks like a normal M.2 SSD, its lacks a storage controller. Apple integrates the storage controllers into the Apple Silicon SoC, which means that normal M.2 SSDs are incompatible.

This guide is purely instructional for how to replace the SSD with another of the same type.

Tools

Step 1

Fully shut down your Mac mini and unplug all cables from it.
Flip over your Mac mini and place it on a clean, flat surface to avoid scratching the chassis.

Den Mac vorm ausschalten noch vom Account trennen. Sonst kann es zu Schwierigkeiten bei der Neuanmeldung kommen.

MacGyverModeOn -

Step 2

Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the bottom cover and the chassis.
Pry up the bottom cover to create a gap.
Keep the Jimmy inserted under the bottom cover.

Step 3

Insert an opening pick into the gap created by the Jimmy.
Remove the Jimmy.

Step 4

Slide the opening pick along the bottom cover until you feel it snag on a clip.
There are four clips total—one at each corner of the bottom cover.
Twist the pick to lift the clip out of its slot.

Step 5

Continue sliding and prying with the pick along the perimeter of the bottom cover to release the remaining clips.
Don't insert the pick more than an inch when sliding near the power button, as you risk damaging the cable.
During reassembly, press along the perimeter of the bottom until you hear and feel all four clips click back into place.

"Don't insert the pick more than an inch near the power button" is incorrect wording.

I think you mean "Don't insert the pick less than an inch from the power button".

David -

Hi David!

For that warning, it's about not inserting the pick too deep under the bottom cover that you risk hitting the cable as you work around the perimeter. The wording is confusing though, so I'll change it!

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl -

Step 6

Don't remove the bottom cover yet, as it's still connected to the Mac mini with a cable.
Lift the edge of the bottom cover opposite the power button and flip it over to expose the power button cable.

Step 7

Grip the power button cable close to the head and pull it away from its socket to disconnect it.

It's not necessary to remove the power connector and remove the bottom cover (the next step), just flip it over gently to take out the 3 screws underneath (in Step 9).

James -

Skip this step, really fragile connector

Ravire -

it tore open immediately. DO NOT TRY THIS.

Chad Prestridge - 20/02/25

Nicht notwenig man kann den Bodenteil einfach "überlegen"

Christian Studer -

Change these instructions, I also damaged my connector.
This one is different from other connectors, pull up, not along the length of the cable.

Or even better just move it aside or use the 4 Torx to remove it.

James -

How did you fix the connector afterwards? I‘ve the same problem. I broke the connector…

Christof - 23/03/25

Please change these instructions I just ripped the cable out before reading the comments

Sully -

And one more connector just died!

Johannss -

Sorry, what do you do if the connector pulls apart? Utterly evil design. This step needs a rewrite and a serious warning on it!!!!!

Adam P -

Achtung, den Connector auf keinen Fall lösen. Bei mir ging dieser kaputt - hoffe, ich kann ihn noch reparieren!

Christof - 23/03/25

another wrecked connector come on fix it change this step

Donald Gillis -

Step 8

Remove the bottom cover.

The power button is better to be completely unscrewed then to pull at the connector as it shattered in a 8th of a second.

Chad Prestridge -

Step 9

Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from.
While the Mac mini uses Torx Plus screws, standard Torx bits work. Make sure to apply constant, downward force to prevent stripping.
Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the eight 3.4 mm‑long screws securing the inner plate.

Step 10

Insert the point of a spudger into one of the clips' slots on the inner plate.
Pry up the inner plate enough so you can grip the edge along the same side as the headphone jack.

Step 11

Pull the inner plate away from the chassis to slide it out from under the lip on the heat sink.
During reassembly, slide the inner plate back under the heat sink and press along its edges to secure it in the chassis.

Step 12

Don't remove the inner plate, as it's still connected to the Mac mini by a cable.
Lift the inner plate and flip it over the edge of the chassis. Let it rest against the chassis.

Step 13

Remove the four screws securing the fan:
Two 2.4 mm‑long Torx Plus 3IP screws
Two 7.9 mm‑long Torx Plus 5IP screws

Step 14

Lift the fan out of its recess in the chassis and flip it over to expose its wire and connector.
Let the fan rest on the chassis and heat sink.

Step 15

Use tweezers to peel back the tape covering the fan ZIF connector.

Absolutely not needed, you can just put the fan aside!

James -

It is NOT required to remove the fan

Peter van Heerebeek -

Step 16

Use the point of a spudger, or your fingernail, to flip up the locking tab on the fan ZIF connector.

Step 17

Use tweezers, or your fingers, to slide the ZIF connector straight out of its socket.

Step 18

Remove the fan.

Step 19

Use a Torx Plus 8IP screwdriver to remove the 4.1 mm‑long screw securing the SSD.

Step 20

Insert the point of a spudger into one of the holes along the bottom edge of the SSD.
Use the spudger to pull the SSD away from its socket, alternating sides as necessary, until it's fully disconnected.

Step 21

Grip the corner of the SSD, tilt it up against the headphone jack, and lift it out of its socket.
During reassembly, insert the SSD at an angle and gently wiggle it into place until it sits flat to the logic board.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Mac mini (2024) Answers Community for help.

Author

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

163004 Reputation

12 comments

"Apple's unique SSDs aren't sold by Apple and aren't currently available by a third party." is no longer correct. https://expandmacmini.com has tested options to upgrade SSD to 2TB.

Alpha -

Fixed! Thank you!

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl -

Thanks, as always, for such a wonderful job in explanation and photos as to how this disassembly and upgrade of the M4 Mac Mini. I and many others thank you for this work that you do so well. I have just purchased an M4 Mini with only 256 GB internal drive, although, I did opt for an upgrade of the RAM to 32 GB; but, as everyone knows, and extra $500 as a charge from Apple for this much extra RAM makes for quite an expensive addition to the cost. But, now that I have an option to upgrade the internal drive to 2 TB, my Mini will be really powerful, with lots of room to spare!

Bruce -

After the installation, (or prior to?) how does one install the OS? Thank you

Jim Willett -

https://youtu.be/eLtE2kMTVOQ?si=0CmnvQW_...

Chris Johnson -

Is it possible to install the OS one the new drive without the need for another Mac mini?
if yes, how can I do this?

DJT -

Hi, I'm looking at tools I need to do this. In the What You Need section, above, it says a Torx Plus 8IP Screwdriver and TR8 Torx security is needed. However, iFixit only has the TR8 Torx Security screwdriver available. I want to know if the TR8 Torx Security screwdriver will remove the single screw holding the SSD in place in the M4 mac mini?

John -

Hello!

Yes, the TR8 Torx security screwdriver will fit the screw holding the SSD! While the screw itself is technically a T8 Torx Plus, a normal screwdriver of the same size will work. Just remember to apply enough downward force to prevent stripping the screw.

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl -

Hi can you tell me what is the right fixit tool kit with all the right bit for this operation. I don’t find any Torx Plus 3ip or 5ip listed in a fixit kit

Daniel Meloche -

Two risky steps are not needed:

You don't need to remove the plug from the power button (highly likely you damage it), you can just put the cover aside.

You don't need to remove the sticker and plug from the fan (difficult to put back without damaging), you can just put the fan aside.

James -

Thanks James. Was wondering if those two steps are unnecessary.

Jame Dunkt -

I confirm, I just replaced my 256GB SSD with a 2TB one without removing the power plug nor the fan plug.

eRudy - 27/03/25