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Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the PCIe SSD cable in the SSD-only or Fusion drive models of the Mac mini Late 2014.

What you need

  1. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement, Bottom Cover: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • The bottom cover is clipped onto three screw posts.

    • Pry near, but not right on the screw posts.

    Edit

  2. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Use the plastic opening tool to pry the bottom cover up off of the Mac mini.

    Edit

  3. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Lift and remove the bottom cover.

    Edit

  4. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement, Antenna Plate: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following TR6 screws from the antenna plate:

    • Three 4.1 mm screws

    • Three 1.9 mm screws

    Edit

  5. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Do not completely remove the antenna plate; it is still connected to the Mac mini by an antenna cable.

    • With the I/O ports facing you, flip the antenna plate to the right to allow access to the antenna cable connector.

    Edit

  6. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the single 3.4 mm T6 screw and washer from the antenna cable.

    • Be careful not to lose the washer when removing the screw.

    Edit

  8. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Use the point of a spudger to lift the antenna connector straight up off its socket on the airport card.

    Edit

  9. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Carefully pull the antenna cable out from the gap between the power supply and case.

    Edit

  10. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the antenna plate from the Mac mini.

    Edit

  11. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement, SSD: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the 5 mm T5 screw securing the SSD.

    Edit

  12. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 3 Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 3 Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the free end of the SSD up slightly and pull it out of its socket.

    Edit

  13. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 3 Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 3 Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • Carefully lift the SSD out of the case without scratching or touching the gold contacts.

    Edit

  14. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement, PCIe SSD Cable: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the two 2.6 mm T6 screws securing the PCIe SSD cable bracket.

    Edit

    PCIe SSD & flex cable install on Mac Mini (late 2014) for OS X Fusion Drive [Teardown & Reassembly]

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3MmzNRI...

    August - Reply

    These screws are M1.4.

    cheongi - Reply

  15. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 2 Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the PCIe SSD cable bracket.

    Edit

  16. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the PCIe SSD connector straight up off of its connector on the logic board.

    • Be careful not to pry up on the socket itself.

    Edit

  17. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 2 Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Slip the flat end of a spudger under the SSD cable to lift it off the adhesive holding it to the Mac mini.

    Edit

    Was not possible - glue in my Mac Mini was way to strong. I destructively ripped out the cable and used a combined adapter/cable to connect a new SSD.

    Wolfgang Tremmel - Reply

    I had to use the metallic spudger (Jimmy) to separate the SSD cable. It was a bit tricky but started with a corner and once it yielded a bit it was easy from there. It was not easy in such a small area.

    Rafael Sánchez Treviño - Reply

  18. Mac mini Late 2014 PCIe SSD Cable Replacement: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the PCIe SSD cable from the Mac mini.

    Edit

    I can also supply the cable alone (not requiring a full disassembly). Please reply if interested.

    Thomas Hall - Reply

    I’m interested in the cable.

    Ryan Dawson -

Conclusion

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

28 other people completed this guide.

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Sam Goldheart

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8 Comments

Where i can buy the PCIe SSD card?

melvin suarez - Reply

Where i can buy the PCIe SSD card, someone?

Claudio Vargas - Reply

I can supply these cables. Please reply to this thread.

Thomas Hall -

I found the ssd kit on eBay for $69ish. However, it doesn't include the ssd. Is it mPCI-e or is it an M.2 module?

Angelo - Reply

The SSD is neither, I believe. It is the same as the SSDs in the 2014 and up MacBook Pros. Pin format is 12+16

Daniel Abdulla -

the flex for Mac mini 2014 is on aliexpress

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/NEW-SSD-...

giacomo.grazia - Reply

¿Sabrían si el ssd pcie wd green es compatible? gracias saludos.

Mauricio Sanchez - Reply

Hi at all

I’ve bought :

_cablecc m-Key Nvme SSD M.2 NGFF Scheda convertitore per 2014 MacBook Mini A1347 MEGEN2 MEGEM2 MEGEQ2

_Transcend TS256GMTE110S Unità a Stato Solido Interne PCIe Gen 3x4 MTE110S, M.2 NVMe, 256 GB

I installed all on my mac mini late 2014, the SSD works but is not possible install on that the MAC OS because I can’t create GUID partitioning also over the formatting Journaled .

It’s normal or I’ve to do some preliminary operation?

Thanks

Attilio

Attilio - Reply

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