MacBook Air 11" Mid 2013 SSD Replacement

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Apr 09, 2019 - 02:36:25

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Introduction

Use this guide to upgrade or replace the solid-state drive in a MacBook Air 11” Mid 2013. This MacBook Air 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 Air. Most new SSDs require updated storage drivers not found in versions of macOS prior to High Sierra.

What you need

Step 1 Lower Case

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2013 SSD Replacement, Lower Case: step 1, image 1 of 1

Tool used on this step:

P5 Pentalobe Screwdriver Retina MacBook Pro and Air

$5.99

Buy

Shut down and close your computer. Lay it on a soft surface top-side down.
Remove the following ten screws:
Two 8 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws
Eight 2.5 mm 5-point Pentalobe screws
The special screwdriver needed to remove the 5-point Pentalobe screws can be found here.

Step 2

Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop the lower case off the Air.

Step 3 Battery Connector

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2013 SSD Replacement, Battery Connector: step 3, image 1 of 2

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2013 SSD Replacement, Battery Connector: step 3, image 2 of 2

In this step you will disconnect the battery to help avoid shorting out any components during service.
Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both short sides of the battery connector upward to disconnect it from its socket on the logic board.
Bend the battery cable slightly away from the logic board so the connector will not accidentally bend back and make contact with its socket.

Step 4 SSD

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2013 SSD Replacement, SSD: step 4, image 1 of 1

Remove the single 2.9 mm T5 Torx screw securing the SSD to the logic board.

Step 5

MacBook Air 11" Mid 2013 SSD Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

Lift the free end of the SSD just enough to get a good hold of it.
Do not excessively lift the end of the SSD.
Pull the drive straight out of its socket and remove it from the logic board.
When reinstalling the SSD, be sure it is properly seated before reinstalling its retaining screw.