MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 Hard Drive Replacement

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Mar 27, 2018 - 07:09:01

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Introduction

Use this guide to replace a dead hard drive.

What you need

Video Overview

Step 1 Lower Case

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 Hard Drive Replacement, Lower Case: step 1, image 1 of 1

Remove the following ten screws:
Three 14.4 mm Phillips #00 screws
Three 3.5 mm Phillips #00 screws
Four 3.5 mm shouldered Phillips #00 screws
When replacing the small screws, align them perpendicular to the slight curvature of the case (they don't go straight down).

Step 2

Use your fingers to pry the lower case away from the body of the MacBook near the vent.
Remove the lower case.

Step 3 Battery Connection

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 Hard Drive Replacement, Battery Connection: step 3, image 1 of 2

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 Hard Drive Replacement, Battery Connection: step 3, image 2 of 2

Use the edge of a spudger to pry the battery connector upwards from its socket on the logic board.
It is useful to pry upward on both short sides of the connector to "walk" it out of its socket. Be careful with the corners of the connectors, they can be easily broken off.

Step 4

Bend the battery cable slightly away from its socket on the logic board so it does not accidentally connect itself while you work.

Step 5 Hard Drive

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: step 5, image 1 of 1

Remove the two Phillips screws securing the hard drive bracket to the upper case.
These screws will remain attached to the hard drive bracket.

Step 6

Remove the hard drive bracket.
The hard drive bracket may be firmly seated against the upper case.

Step 7

Use the attached pull tab to lift the hard drive out of the upper case.
Don't try to completely remove the hard drive just yet. It is still attached to the hard drive cable.

Step 8

Pull the hard drive cable away from the body of the hard drive.
Remove the hard drive.

Step 9 Hard Drive

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: step 9, image 1 of 2

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: step 9, image 2 of 2

Remove the four 6.0 mm T6 Torx hard drive retaining posts from the sides of the hard drive.
Transfer the hard drive retaining posts to your new hard drive.
If desired, transfer the pull tab over to your new hard drive.
If you are installing a new hard drive, we have an OS X install guide to get you up and running.
If you upgraded your EFI Firmware ROM you can also perform an internet recovery.