2015 15" Macbook Pro 2TB NVME M.2 SSD Upgrade

How to upgrade your 2015 Macbook Pro for cheap that will last you years to come.
Why the 2015 Macbook Pro is the best value laptop in 2020:
• Is the 2015 15" Macboo...
💻 Tools Used:
2015 15" MBP: amzn.to/37KFc83
How to upgrade to NVME SSD:
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Adapter: amzn.to/311hymK
2TB SSD I recommend: amzn.to/2Bt2Fyv
Macbook pro toolkit: amzn.to/3hNtu12
==============================================================
👋Follow Zhia here:
Twitter: / zhiachong
Website: zhiachong.com
📝Zhia's courses to prepare for interviews
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Canon 17-40mm F4: amzn.to/2D2vp0R

[@charliekuhn1544]

When removing the SSD or any removable component on the logic board, you should always disconnect the battery first. This is good practice and prevents any potential discharge issue when removing the component.

[@tedholden3528]

Great advice. This kid's an amateur and should not be making tutorials at all involving such a delicate procedure, without first knowing and following the number 1 basic fundamental involving electronics. Disconnect power.

[@emptiness116]

probably a good idea to cut off power supply before doing any changes in circuit

[@markgable3087]

First thing I noticed but, it is a six year old Macbook who cares!

[@fotisdidi6908]

@@markgable3087 We care!

[@fasjackson3588]

@@markgable3087 that still kicks ass today! I have the i7 quadcore 16GBram 2015 15" and it's a beast!

[@okqiandhi6249]

@@fasjackson3588 it's fine for 4K editing ??

[@242djredz]

👍 ...Absolutely works. Using the links given I received my Sabrent Rocket and Sintech adapter today. Went ahead and made the swap from a 256gb to the Sabrent Rocket 2TB. After booting from USB and formatting the new drive, it took about 7 hours to restore from my Time Machine Backup (around 930gb). Currently commenting on the upgraded machine. Using the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test I'm getting write speeds of 2800mb/s and read speeds of 2600mb/s!! 🥳

[@Jhinez]

Hey how are the steps for booting from USB to Format the ssd? Is it the normal installation tool which I setup as usb stick or how do I do it?

[@loganhasty2036]

Just performed this upgrade. Love having plenty of storage space now! Gave it a boost from 256GB to 2TB 😃 For those doing this, you will need to format the new SSD so the machine will recognize it as a disk capable of accepting the new MacOS install. Aside from that, you should be able to follow the video and perform it without too much of a headache. Thank you for uploading this!

[@martinconway3772]

Hi Logan, silly question but how did you format the SSD? Did you use an external caddy? Thanks!

[@loganhasty2036]

@@martinconway3772 pretty sure I did have to format bc the computer didn’t want to recognize it as a bootable drive

[@martinconway3772]

@@loganhasty2036 Yeh that's exactly the problem I'm having, just wanted to check how you formatted how you did the formatting before I invest in an extra £20 in a caddy

[@loganhasty2036]

@@martinconway3772 I didn’t purchase anything extra. I googled it and figured it out from Apple forums. I believe I had to use disk repair utility but I’m not sure. It’s been a little while since I did it. I do know you don’t need a caddy though lol

[@martinconway3772]

@@loganhasty2036 Cool, thanks for your help, I shall do some more research!

[@rumble1925]

Always unplug the battery if you don't want to brick your macbook.

[@adriaxyz]

I’ve just followed your steps and it works, thank you!

[@stephenvalente3296]

Did this last year with a WD SS550 2Tb model. Working great.

[@gauthamp4050]

awesome.. thanks for the tip. P.S. BUT BUT BUT it is advisable to disconnect the battery and remove the SSD, lucky that it didnt static and brick the MBP. one wrong move with the Battery(power) and the motherboard is toast

[@pomona187]

Thanks! I just bought a macbookpro11,5 and I'm a windows user, this will be my first newish mac I've owned since 2008. I have a bunch m.2 ssds lying around so now I know that I'll need an adapter for them. The laptop I bought has no ssd at all got it for 250 on ebay auction its the 2015 macbook pro 4980hq 16g ram r9 370x, can't wait to play around with this thing and see if it's even game-able

[@iceicebuddy]

OMG Unplug the battery!!

[@HistoryandReviews]

Unplug your non-existent girlfriend

[@drvegapunk3299]

No

[@AudiSportFan1970]

I somehow bought a different adapter, and it immediately broke into two pieces (cheap garbage). Just ordered the suggested adapter, should be here in two days. Wish me luck!

[@codingwithzhia]

Good luck!

[@stevebarrons3215]

It would have been nice if you would show how to restore the MacBook Pro from a last backup after you installed the new ssd.

[@HistoryandReviews]

A professional video and nice music

[@karamrtbjk]

Thanks for the video. I did all you make, everything is perfect with my macbbok pro A1502. Just I have an issue. I replaced my original 128gb ssd with the WD Black NVME M2 with adapter. Speed is ok, macos bigsur is super but I have an battery issue. While I manually sleep or close the screen, I think the system sleeps but the ssd is not. Because bttery drains 100% to %30 in 8 hours while sleeping. I couldnt solve this situtation.

[@codingwithzhia]

Awesome! Glad it worked for you. Have you tried to do NVRAM reset?

[@xalastras21]

have you found a solution yet ? maybe tried the original ssd and see what changes ?

[@eddyevodius]

Wondering whether I can upgrade to 4tb?

[@prouser6267]

Can you please upload a tutorial on how to replace the battery for the A1398 Macbook model... my battery drains really fast....

[@MahabubMithun]

Hi Man do you have any issues with over heating or Battery life?

[@Spiky989]

Do you know if there's a way to download a copy of the Mac OS Recovery Partition onto the new Hard Drive?

[@codingraph]

I always thought that MBP 2015 cannot be upgraded to 2tb

[@fasjackson3588]

nope. it sure can! Ram no, it's soldered but the SSD can be. I have the same rocket drive in mine.

[@othisouto]

This was very useful! Thanks 🙌🏻

[@user-my9jg2df9z]

Hi, I've noticed that you didn't unplug the battery...😐

[@codingwithzhia]

I did.. Maybe? 😂

[@troylollysaf9311]

OEM mbp ssd came with original os pre-installed. If you buy a used oem mbp os, no need to download another os, just turn on your Mac.

[@dariussmith7247]

thanks for this video,

[@lrrryo]

Can you post a link to the MacRumor article about getting the right hard drive, can't find it, or post another source to be SURE we get the right SSD. And to be sure I can add 2TT to my 2015 MB pro. Thx!

[@definebeats718]

just what I needed thanks bro .

[@codingwithzhia]

Glad to hear it

[@LeMelleKH2]

Thanks so much for this! Out of curiosity, how would you compare the Rocket you recommend to other competitors, such as Crucial or Samsung?

[@nellatl]

Samsung

[@LeMelleKH2]

@@nellatl thanks haha! I actually got a 970 evo plus a few months back, i love it!

[@latlov]

Crucial P2 2TB worked for me and on Big Sur 11.6

[@rsteve5307]

hi, thanks for the video! I heard ppl say that some models might have issues with hibernation. do you experience system crashing from waking up from hibernation? thanks!

[@fasjackson3588]

not the 2015. the 2013-2014 have to have a terminal fix applied.

[@latlov]

There's this new Sabrent model "SB-RKT4P-2TB" generation 4 with reading speed of 7100MB/s and writing of 6600 (MB/s). Is it still compatible with a MacBook pro mid 2015 15'' and the sintech Apple to M.2 adapter?

[@Mexisaiyan]

Any luck with the new Sabrent model?

[@fasjackson3588]

well remember the gen 4 PCIe is awesome but the 2015 MBP is a PCIe gen 3.0 if not mistaken so it's backwards compatible but don't expect those speeds....you HAVE to have pcie 4 for that.

[@parkay3560]

great video

[@freedomcars4610]

sabrent 3rd gen vs samsung 970 evo 3rd gen?

[@HEYSERGYO]

hey man! great video: I did the same, but not getting that speed, would it be the adapter? What's the adapter you using?

[@codingwithzhia]

SERGYO. I added a link in the description to the adapter I use. It might be a faulty adapter

[@HEYSERGYO]

@@codingwithzhia Hey man! So I had 2 of the same cheap adaptors, and one kept throwing low results on reading. so I changed it to the other adaptor, and now it seems to work!

[@dfiantii64]

question why not just format the drive in a portable enclosure then clone the onboard hard drive then do the swap?

[@noire841]

Do you find any problem after 1 year ( battery life, temperature ...) ? I have to choose this sabrent or samsung evo plus to put on my macbook pro 15" mid 2015. Let me know 🙏

[@renoleevans]

what did you end up choosing?

[@noire841]

@@renoleevans sabrent 👌🏼👌🏼

[@piotrm2999]

any problem after 1 year ( battery life, temperature ...) ? :P

[@renoleevans]

I installed the sabrent and love it so far!!!

[@noire841]

@@piotrm2999 I don't have this macbook anywmore

[@hansGnw]

Hi , I want to ask, replace the flash storage of the Macbook Pro 2015 with another SSD from info some friends in the group, there are experience naturally can't hibernate or sleep mode, the battery heats up quickly and wastes and even some that die completely can't be restored again because of the panic screen and then it's completely dead can't be repaired again. My question is, should I look for an SSD and converter that is really compatible because each SSD has different speeds, while the Mac software is not as fast as the latest SSD. Then the type of ssd must also be the same as the original. Friends say it's like we ride a BMW, spare parts are replaced by LOWEST part , let alone use a converter. Then, if we replace the SSD, the one that appears in our storage is not FLASH STORAGE but SSD, is there really a difference that can cause occasional errors? Then the final question, if the SSD is replaced, the OS is upgraded, can it ERROR and die. Is there something natural about it? Thanks for the answers to some of the questions above. I hope this channel will be more successful

[@Ragnemalm]

Nice to see that it is possible, but I have failed so far. I have a Kingston 2 TB SSD, which works in an external enclosure, but the Mac won't recognise it. Bad adapter? I have tried two different ones.

[@codingwithzhia]

Sorry to hear that, which adapter did you get? There are certain Chinese brands that work, and some don't.

[@paratrooperchad]

Wait… did he say T3?!?! Omg. Well… ok. Glad it worked for you. Maybe a different bit next time. Cheers. Of to next one.

[@florenciomartinez8121]

Appreciated this video. I have the same model MBP and was wondering how good that ssd brand would perform. Thinking of using the Gen 4 Sabrent ssd so I can use that in a future model MBP or make it into an external ssd.

[@codingwithzhia]

Sabrent is a reliable brand, I did a lot of research online before deciding to jump on it. Great value for money.

[@marcushenry5779]

How did the 4.0 hold up? I have it in the cart right now, should I pull the trigger?

[@ferasalfarsi897]

Do you have a tutorial video for how to install mac ios to new SSD?

[@definebeats718]

Also bro lets say I wanna get the 4tb ssd is it possible to install that in the MacBook Pro 2015 ? or would u not recommend .Im asking because me as a music producer I use a lot of plugins to create music so what I be needing a lot is space . I do have external hard drives but I can't run Vsts or Plugins from external drives . lmk man id really appreciate it if you can answer my questions thank you , your video was very informal

[@codingwithzhia]

4TB SSD is going to cost quite a bit. I'd be apprehensive due to the fact that I'm putting a lot of my important work on a single drive. 2TB was a sweet spot for me - it's enough to hold media that I need to work on, and anything else I'll put on a backup storage so that I'm not going to lose everything if my laptop dies or gets stolen

[@fasjackson3588]

get a 2TB, the 4TB are super spendy still...and you could buy a nice external for backup. don't keep everything on onemachine, if it gets stolen, dies or whatever you're screwed.

[@kiwictor3752]

thx

[@ShootingSportz]

Hi Zhia, what bootable device did you use? Do you have any links please?

[@wex6695520]

The question arose whether it is possible to make a USB flash drive from an old SSD from a macbook?

[@diegoanaya6689]

I'm looking to Upgrade my hard drive on my MID 2015 MacBook Pro just wondering are all MacBook pro's come with an ssd or do some come with a regular hard drive and how can I find out without having to open up my MacBook?

[@definebeats718]

question though . lets say once I insert the ssd and turn on the MacBook Pro . can I restore my Mac OS high Sierra that I have as my backed up drive from time machine on my external ssd ? or I have to get a new copy of Mac OS X ? I really don't want to go into Catalina as I am happy with high Sierra . Is it POSSIBLE ?

[@DjMixstyles]

I’m a DJ if I do the upgrade will I lose all my programs and applications

[@iresurrectrepairs9967]

Will this drive not have problems waking from sleep? I used a Samsung 970 Evo plus and having issues not waking up from sleep :(

[@TumzZOffcial]

I followed every step , When I go to turn my MacBook on to boot up it does not show the SSD is there to install the Mac OS into

[@break_bad]

thanks

[@MrDwadi84]

Will this wiek with Early 2015 MacBook Air?

[@robmoser4485]

May I have the old 512gb for a family in need

[@peterpark1305]

I was wondering if you have are experiencing any overheating issues with the 2tb upgrade?

[@gabrielzepeda3610]

I would change the thermal paste. Look up thermal past upgrade for the macbook works better and no overheating

[@fasjackson3588]

@@gabrielzepeda3610 I haven't at all. in fact it seems like it runs cooler than Apple's SSD...weird I know but I cannot tell either way really. if thre is a difference I cannot tell. maybe a few degrees is all but nothing near a worry.

[@frankquinol]

Do I need a bootable drive? Can’t you just do internet recovery?

[@Mexisaiyan]

How is the MacBook Pro holding up with 2tb after a year?

[@marcoa.betancourt1469]

This is probably going to be a stupid question but what happens to all my data files and everything? I’m trying to do this to my mac but I don’t wanna lose anything

[@erickpanccioni2926]

Is it work on MacBook pro retina 2015 A1398? Is the same process?

[@rhymeister]

Has anyone run into this issue: Switched out the 512 Gb SDD 2015 MBP 15" Retina to 1TB (Samsung Evo 980) all seemed to work fine, but today, trying to use Migration Assistant, the screen doesn't work??? I hear the fan blowing at times. Have tried doing a reboot, shutdown, etc as per normal w/ this generation of MBPs but nothing seems to be working...

[@BatMan-theman]

I have 2x users on my existing Mac book pro 2015 and have done time machine back up on the 1st user only. Do I have to do back up on both users ?

[@okqiandhi6249]

Is there any issue with using a PCIe gen 4 ssd on the 2015 MacBook pro, it's running smooth ??

[@edbelocura7509]

Is there any issue with using a PCIe gen 3 ssd on the 2015 MacBook pro? I've read that the 2015 MBP only supports Gen 2 PCIe

[@dulla8469]

so is storage not a problem, im afraid that i get a 1tb ssd and put it in my macbook of the same model which was made with 512 gb and then hve it telling me that it doesnt recognize the other 500 gb or maybe not recognize anything at all

[@mautoyscollector]

hi!! you know which adapter works to put a ssd m.2 key M to a MacBook Pro 15˝ Early-2013 (7 + 17 pins)??? THKS!

[@Tiffs-bookshelf]

Will my stuff still be saved on my MacBook? I do understand ill have to reinstall the OS, but everything else will be saved?

[@vitalis]

Thanks for this. I have a MBP 2015. But if you still have your student gmail account you can use that for your storage needs which is what I do.

[@kyu2813]

what do you do when the new ssd is not detected?

[@fmfcouto]

Hi. You have to create a bootable MAC OSX install disk and boot your MAC this way. The adapter does not allow for Internet recovery that recognizes the adapter and thus the SSD attached (this is a remark from seller as well). I have tried this with a different computer (MBP 13", 2017), similar upgrade, same limitations. Be aware that are also possible hibernation issues while using adapters. I am in the process of ordering components as indicated by Zhia to upgrade my MBP 15" mid 2015. But you probably have already gone through this, from 6 mo ago. Running Big Sur. Good luck!

[@frmeng7693]

Hello, I have updated my ssd follow your instructions, 2015 MacBook Pro 13 inch. Now the system is big sur. I wonder if I want put back my original ssd, which is Mojeva, do I need to re-install the operating system or I can just place it back.

[@chavezunseen]

hello sir i have a early 2015 13 inch (retina) would 2TB work as well?

[@chavezunseen]

*macbook pro

[@MukeshKumar-iz7hz]

No you don't need to install again... Original SSD will boot with Mojave and vice-versa.

[@fasjackson3588]

I have the exact same setup, curious if anyone has used latest Monterey 12.3.1 without issues?

[@kay10elle]

Hey there! I'm new to Repairs. What is "Bootable Media" you mention at 6:00?

[@skynchickens300]

This might be late af, but bootable media is a term used not just in repair but computer in general, remember the first step was to create a bootable drive? Essentially you are using a usb or se card to hold a installer for you system so you can install said system on you system drive (in this case the nvme)

[@kay10elle]

@@skynchickens300 Thanks for that! I’ll keep that in mind. Always learning. And you’re right on time. 😁👍🏾

[@latlov]

Moreover, to make it easier, you should have your "time machine" backup in an external disk.

[@ronronsescar1]

It will work on 13 inch macbook pro mid 2015?

[@erickpanccioni2926]

i had a problem when i did all this on my macbook pro... all work good, but i can't to download nothing on safari, safari sho the message talking that doesn't have space on my disk, it full, but i have almost 2 tb free, help me please....

[@Jeremybro]

can you mirror your internal ssd? or you have to add partition to the new one?

[@codingwithzhia]

Jeremy I made a backup copy on Time Machine. This worked well and my old copy was replicated onto the new drive seamlessly

[@juniorkhan5887]

Isn't macbook pro i7 2015 15inch build in ssd ?

[@benjaminjordan86]

How did you know the length of M.2 SSD would fit? do you know if it the Rocket is 2242, 2260, 2280? I'm reading that it means millimeters 22mm wide by ##mm long. When you added the adapter I was concerned it would not physically fit and unable to be screwed in. But your video looks like it screwed in fine. Do you think Apple original SSD is a unique dimension? I would have liked to see the original SSD & Rocket SSD side by side. Nevertheless very good video thank you for making it.

[@codingwithzhia]

Thanks! I researhed online and found tutorials that helped me figure out the parts to get. That's how I found the M.2 SSD. Hope that helps!

[@fasjackson3588]

the drive slided "INTO" the adapter thus making them the same length as far as being able to screw it in like the stock drive. 2280 is key

[@gapTrader6818]

I have tried the NVME upgrade with NVMe 970 EVO 1TB SSD but bow my Mac is slow as hell !!! anybody else faced the same or have any idea how to resolve this?

[@chavezunseen]

can someone confirm for me that this same upgrade will work on a early 2015 13 inch MacBook pro (retina)

[@Mexisaiyan]

It should work

[@fasjackson3588]

yes. perfectly!

[@nelsonkatale398]

No 1 fatal mistake is installing the new SSD disk before disconnecting the battery.

[@gwkomenapaadanya4151]

Mines MBP 15 MJLQ2 series 2015,is there nvme slot like yours?

[@castletransport]

mine is a macbook pro (retina 15-inch mid 2015). Would it still work?

[@codingwithzhia]

Yep this would work great. That's the same laptop I have.

[@latlov]

Crucial P2 2TB worked for me and on Big Sur 11.6. The only flaw is that it takes longer to boot, whenever I turn the Mac on.

[@MrSidharth94]

Which Crucial model is supported with this attachment and with my A1398. I dont trust Sabrent . Please can you suggest Crucial Model .

[@rosario040970]

Crucial P2 2TB

[@David-xv5ub]

Is the ssd western black digital SN850 compatible ?

[@techcodesmartly2547]

you dont upload video anymore?

[@stephencawker1565]

Why does no one ever use the samsung 970 pro?..its the fastest gen 3 nvme ssd for these old macs..I keep telling everyone this, and they buy rockets. crucail, etc...

[@codingwithzhia]

Could be price. 970 pro used to be quite pricey.

[@josephdragan7734]

Since replacing the SSD does little for 2015 Macbook Pro performance, then can you or anyone else recommend just how one can upgrade this Mac's performance. Thanks

[@codingwithzhia]

For an older macbook pro, there's not really much you can do to squeeze out better performance. The CPU is not upgradable, and neither is the RAM. Upgrading storage prolongs the usable life, but will not increase performance.

[@fmsilva11]

Where to get a bootable sdcard?

[@SztormiakStudio]

How this SSD performs after this time?

[@alexanderesquivel6251]

how much ram did you have when you upgraded?

[@harleymotion6947]

Does this SSD work with a Mid 2015 Macbook?

[@lieonkolenky7845]

WILL THE 4TB WORK AS WELL

[@djintence]

Can't see why not. The more the merrier

[@rubengabrielvaldiviesomach629]

Is there any fox for the hybernation Mode?

[@andresalvarezalegria]

Is it possible to upgrade to 4TB?

[@3vil8unny]

Disconnect the battery first!

[@THREEORDIE]

You should mention if it is early, mid, or late 2015... that adapter does not fit the mid-2015.

[@latlov]

This video is actually for a MacBook pro 15'' mid 2015

[@Alex-el3hf]

Hello I ve got a MacBook Pro 15 mid 2015 Does the upgrade to 2 To SSD nvme is working? Please can somebody answer me ?

[@codingwithzhia]

Yes it should work just fine!

[@mrtn9026]

Good ol' times when they were upgradeable. Maybe they surprise us and say "Hey so you can upgrade RAM and Nvme on our ARM Macbooks" But i doubt that haha ^^ good video =)

[@fasjackson3588]

precisely why I haven't sold or upgraded my 2015 15" quadcore i7 16GB ram. the SSD can be upgraded still unlike most of the 2018+ machines which everything is soldered. Glad I have the 16GB model now but it was a small fortune when I bought it new. I hope it lasts me 4 more years or so. it's a beast.

[@juniormainmotor]

Thx man, I think i don't need this upgrade, since i edited all of my work using an external ssd, so i leave my 128gb internal storage clean yeah, and well i use my student gmail account to add more storage for my files. Cheers

[@codingwithzhia]

Nice, how do you find the performance working with an external SSD? I've heard there's a bottleneck in speed transfers due to the USB's max throughput.

[@oscar_alvarez_cp5346]

is this compatible to a1398

[@AGVersace100]

is there a way to use the replaced drive as an external drive ?

[@artemusgordon146]

you can get a USB case for the M.2 module

[@AGVersace100]

@@artemusgordon146 yeah but the apple drive has a different pinout. Can't find a usb case that's compatible.

[@dividedbyzero0]

Is this adaptor available on the UK amazon? If so can someone send a link?

[@BatMan-theman]

Did you manage to upgrade your mac? i am planning to do mine and wanted to know what SSD to go for

[@dividedbyzero0]

@@BatMan-theman I did yeah, got a 2tb sabrent rocket, works wonders

[@LINGBA1984]

Do we need an adapter card for new ssd or not?

[@fasjackson3588]

for nvme you do yes. ANY nvme needs the sintech card, if it's an APPLE SSD you do not....

[@latlov]

Let's keep an eye on SSD bait! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoC2fmucps6UrKc

[@zamenzamani3982]

Dude why would you fast track the steps most vital ? Jeez