Introduction
Use this guide to upgrade or replace the solid-state drive in a MacBook Pro 13” Late 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.
What you need
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Tool used on this step:Magnetic Project Mat$19.95
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Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:
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Two 2.3 mm P5 Pentalobe screws
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Eight 3.0 mm P5 Pentalobe screws
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Wedge your fingers between the upper case and the lower case.
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Gently pull the lower case away from the upper case.
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Remove the lower case and set it aside.
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Remove the following screws securing the battery connector board to the logic board:
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Two 2.8 mm T6 Torx screws
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One 7.0 mm T6 Torx shouldered screw
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Use tweezers to remove the small plastic cover located near the bottom right of the battery connector board.
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Remove the wide head 6.4 mm T6 Torx screw securing the battery connector to the logic board assembly.
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Carefully lift the battery connector board up off the logic board.
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It is recommended to bend the battery cables just slightly, to keep the board suspended up above the logic board and out of the way.
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Grasp the Interposer with tweezers.
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Lift the Interposer off the logic board and remove it.
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Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the SSD cable connector up from its socket on the logic board.
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Use your thumb or finger to bend the plastic spring bar on the SSD tray, freeing the two clips at the front side of the device.
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While holding the spring bar depressed, tilt the SSD assembly up out of its cavity.
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Insert the edge of plastic opening tool between the SSD and the SSD tray, opposite to the socket side of SSD tray.
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Pry the side of the SSD opposite the SSD tray socket out of the SSD tray.
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