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Use this guide to replace the SSD, or flash storage module, in your Mac mini (2024).
This guide was written with a base model M4 Mac mini. Although the SSD for the M4 Pro model is longer and in a different position, the disassembly procedure is the same.
While the Mac mini's SSD looks like a normal M.2 SSD, its lacks a storage controller. Apple integrates the storage controllers into the Apple Silicon SoC, which means that normal M.2 SSDs are incompatible.
This guide is purely instructional for how to replace the SSD with another of the same type.
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Fully shut down your Mac mini and unplug all cables from it.
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Flip over your Mac mini and place it on a clean, flat surface to avoid scratching the chassis.
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Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the bottom cover and the chassis.
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Pry up the bottom cover to create a gap.
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Keep the Jimmy inserted under the bottom cover.
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Insert an opening pick into the gap created by the Jimmy.
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Remove the Jimmy.
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Slide the opening pick along the bottom cover until you feel it snag on a clip.
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Twist the pick to lift the clip out of its slot.
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Continue sliding and prying with the pick along the perimeter of the bottom cover to release the remaining clips.
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Lift the edge of the bottom cover opposite the power button and flip it over to expose the power button cable.
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Grip the power button cable close to the head and pull it away from its socket to disconnect it.
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Remove the bottom cover.
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Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the eight 3.4 mm‑long screws securing the inner plate.
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Insert the point of a spudger into one of the clips' slots on the inner plate.
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Pry up the inner plate enough so you can grip the edge along the same side as the headphone jack.
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Pull the inner plate away from the chassis to slide it out from under the lip on the heat sink.
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Lift the inner plate and flip it over the edge of the chassis. Let it rest against the chassis.
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Remove the four screws securing the fan:
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Two 2.4 mm‑long Torx Plus 3IP screws
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Two 7.9 mm‑long Torx Plus 5IP screws
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Lift the fan out of its recess in the chassis and flip it over to expose its wire and connector.
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Let the fan rest on the chassis and heat sink.
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Use tweezers to peel back the tape covering the fan ZIF connector.
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Use the point of a spudger, or your fingernail, to flip up the locking tab on the fan ZIF connector.
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Use tweezers, or your fingers, to slide the ZIF connector straight out of its socket.
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Use a Torx Plus 8IP screwdriver to remove the 4.1 mm‑long screw securing the SSD.
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Insert the point of a spudger into one of the holes along the bottom edge of the SSD.
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Use the spudger to pull the SSD away from its socket, alternating sides as necessary, until it's fully disconnected.
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Grip the corner of the SSD, tilt it up against the headphone jack, and lift it out of its socket.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Mac mini (2024) Answers Community for help.
To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Mac mini (2024) Answers Community for help.
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"Apple's unique SSDs aren't sold by Apple and aren't currently available by a third party." is no longer correct. https://expandmacmini.com has tested options to upgrade SSD to 2TB.
Fixed! Thank you!
Thanks, as always, for such a wonderful job in explanation and photos as to how this disassembly and upgrade of the M4 Mac Mini. I and many others thank you for this work that you do so well. I have just purchased an M4 Mini with only 256 GB internal drive, although, I did opt for an upgrade of the RAM to 32 GB; but, as everyone knows, and extra $500 as a charge from Apple for this much extra RAM makes for quite an expensive addition to the cost. But, now that I have an option to upgrade the internal drive to 2 TB, my Mini will be really powerful, with lots of room to spare!
After the installation, (or prior to?) how does one install the OS? Thank you
