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MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Late 2011 RAM Replacement

What you need

  1. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Late 2011 RAM 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).

  2. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Late 2011 RAM Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Late 2011 RAM Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • Use your fingers to pry the lower case away from the body of the MacBook near the vent.

    • Remove the lower case.

  3. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Late 2011 RAM Replacement, Battery Connection: step 3, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Late 2011 RAM 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.

  4. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Late 2011 RAM Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Bend the battery cable slightly away from its socket on the logic board so it does not accidentally connect itself while you work.

  5. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Late 2011 RAM Replacement, RAM: step 5, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Late 2011 RAM Replacement, RAM: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Pull the two RAM retaining arms away from the center of the RAM chip.

    • The RAM chip should "pop" up slightly from its socket.

  6. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Late 2011 RAM Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • Pull the RAM stick out of its socket.

    • Repeat this process to remove the second RAM chip.

Conclusion

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

227 other people completed this guide.

Phillip Takahashi

Member since: 08/22/11

86,617 Reputation

87 Guides authored

27 Comments

I should have two 4GB memory or 8GB?

carlosanttini - Reply

You can max out your RAM on any MacBook just about because of the quality of design. I added two sticks of 8 GB of RAM for a total of 16 GB. Apple say my MacBook Pro late 2011 can only support 8GB.

Christopher -

Hello,

I just changed RAM from 4GB to 16GB in a MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Late 2011. Followed all the steps here, nothing broke. I was very careful on the instruction "the edge of a spudger to pry the battery connector upwards from its socket on the logic board", and also to connect it again.

What happens is that my computer works fine except for the battery. On the upper side (next to clock) says that there are no batteries available. It only works with AC adapter connected.

Please, Help me!!!

isabelortiz - Reply

Saw your post on my original comment. Easy to replace battery, their is a link via I-Fixit battery guide on MacBook Pro 2011. Apple got sued in EU court for not allowing third party batteries. I do not know if you still have MacBook Pro 2011, hope it helps. Sadly, Apple put “end of shelf life” with this machine and High Sierra will NOT upgrade due to Apples “2015” or later MacBook requirement. This is stupid and forced “end of shelf life” so you buy a new machine, even though you meet hardware requirements. I smell another lawsuit.

Christopher -

I just upgraded my macbook pro 13" late 2011 from 4GB to 8GB RAM. It's was very easy to do!

rafsplug - Reply

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