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MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013 SSD Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to upgrade or replace the solid-state drive in a MacBook Pro 13” Late 2013. 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

  1. MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013 SSD Replacement, Lower Case: step 1, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
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    • Remove the following ten screws securing the lower case to the upper case:

    • Two 2.3 mm P5 Pentalobe screws

    • Eight 3.0 mm P5 Pentalobe screws

    • Throughout this repair, keep track of each screw and make sure it goes back exactly where it came from to avoid damaging your device.

    Edit

  2. MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013 SSD Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Wedge your fingers between the upper case and the lower case.

    • Gently pull the lower case away from the upper case to remove it.

    Edit

  3. MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013 SSD Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013 SSD Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • The lower case is connected to the upper case with two plastic clips near its center.

    • During reassembly, gently push down the center of the lower case to reattach the two plastic clips.

    Edit

  5. MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013 SSD Replacement, Battery Connector: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • If necessary, remove the plastic cover adhered to the battery contact board.

    Edit

  6. MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013 SSD Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013 SSD Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to lift the battery connector straight up out of its socket on the logic board.

    • Be sure you lift up only on the connector itself, not the socket, or you risk permanent damage to the logic board.

    Edit

  7. MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013 SSD Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Bend the battery connector up out of the way to prevent accidental contact with its socket during your repair.

    Edit

  8. MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013 SSD Replacement, SSD: step 7, image 1 of 1

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

    Edit

  9. MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013 SSD Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 3 MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013 SSD Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 3 MacBook Pro 13" Retina Display Late 2013 SSD Replacement: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the free end of the SSD up slightly and pull the SSD straight out of its socket on the logic board.

    • Only lift the end of the SSD enough to allow you to pull it out—about 1/4".

    Edit
Conclusion

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

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Sam Goldheart

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24 Comments

So… can I just buy the new PCIe SSDs and use it in the 2013 rMBP? I'm very confused about these PCIe SSDs.

Timothy Brown - Reply

My retina 15" got the logic board damage and fix it is just stupid. Now in the mean time the new ones come up next quarter, I'm using my macbook pro 2011. Now, because the 2011 is no Retina, SSD and all the other good stuff in it (crying in silence) I did some research to make the 2011 better and I found out I can upgrade to 16 ram and a SSD. Now I check and is not that expensive at least for a SSD 128. BUT this morning it hit me, and I want to ask and make research about this idea. Guys I was wondering, can I take the SSD from my Retina that is actually SSD 256 and put it in my 2011? And save in the SSD? I mean, if possible of curse, if not I would go to buy it how I plan in the first place. Anyway guys any suggestions, ideas or advice are all welcome. I want to know whats best to improve the 2011 meanwhile the new ones get the upgrade. Thanks in advance! :)

tane883 - Reply

Can I use an Intel SSD 540s SSD M.2? Intel says it doesn't support NVMe. Does it need to or would that just add extra performance?

3PL - Reply

You can put an NVMe drive (with an adapter) in a late 2013 MBP, but you must have updated the OS to the latest version because the original, native OS does not support NVMe. Use Clonezilla to make a bare metal backup and use Clonezilla to restore it once NVMe is installed. Clonezilla wont work going down in size ie from a 1TB to 500GB drive.

Eric Andersen -

Can you also please put a link how to reinstall mac os after installing a new hardrive? thanks

Joseph Grigoletti - Reply

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