crwdns2933423:0crwdne2933423:0

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 Hard Drive Replacement

crwdns2942213:0crwdne2942213:0

  1. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 Hard Drive Replacement, Remove the lower case screws: crwdns2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the following 10 screws securing the lower case to the MacBook Pro 13" Unibody:

    • Seven 3 mm Phillips screws.

    • Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

    Compare the short screws carefully before reinstalling them. The shouldered screws go in the holes on the front edge.

    David Kilbridge - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    Before I started removing any screws I took a piece of paper and drew the bottom of the laptop and put a piece of double-sided tape in the spot where each screw goes. That way when I took out the screws, I could put them on the tape so I knew exactly which screw went in which spot. I did the same thing for dismantling the inside on another sheet of paper, then a third sheet for the screen after getting the front glass off.

    mastover - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    I use a similar technique: I print out the iFixit manual for the job, and Scotch-tape down the screws/brackets/cables I remove at each step next to the component descriptions. That way, when I'm reassembling, the bits are taped right next to the photo of where they came from.

    adlerpe -

    That's exactly what I do for all my repairs! It's the best way to keep track of all of the parts ' original location and to make sure that you don't miss any parts during reassembly.

    joyitsjennie -

    Great idea and one I use often

    Thomas Overstreet -

    Excellent idea! Thanks for sharing it here.

    Laura Sharkey -

    I used a 00 that fit but the screws were very tight so I used a tiny paintbrush with some wd40 on it and put it around the edges of the screws. Worked like a charm

    valentinedhdh - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    I use a magnetic mat and place the screws in order on that :)

    Cary B - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

  2. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 Hard Drive Replacement, Lift the lower case away: crwdns2935265:02crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Slightly lift the lower case and push it toward the rear of the computer to free the mounting tabs.

    In the introduction you should link fixers to this excellent doc: https://www.ifixit.com/Misc/HD_Software_...

    It is really critical, super easy, and free(!) to clone your existing drive onto the new one you will install. I ran into one error, but SuperDuper! support replied immediately on how to fix it...Thanks ifixit and SuperDuper! (I ponied up the $28 for the software anyway, I was so impressed!)

    Mike - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    Long story short: I drank the AppleKoolAid back in 1984 and have always left the guts of my machines up to Apple - until recently when I needed to swap the SATAs from my original MacDaddy (2009 13" MBPro that I killed in 2018 - coffee + blackout = OOOOPS) into a pristine 2009 MBPro from a Goodwill in North Carolina through eBay. I need the files from iCal and MacMail that can't be opened in my newer machines.

    Well . . . I ain't never done nuttin' like that, before!

    Enter Luke Miani on YouTube. He raves about you guys! So, I watched everything I could, read your site, bought the right tools and at the ripe old age of 72, I sat down, this morning and did the work. Now my original MacDaddy lives in MacDaddy2.0.

    Am I allowed to cry?

    Seriously, I can't thank you enough for your bitchen site and killer tools. I wish I'd'a been turned on to this shizzle 30+ years ago.

    IFIXIT - IDIGIT!

    kath myers - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

    That was a brilliant read.

    Yes, I came across ifixit a few years ago. Totally helped me out on several occasions.

    Glad your Mac repair journey worked out.

    :)

    Cary B -

  3. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 Hard Drive Replacement, Battery: crwdns2935265:03crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • For precautionary purposes, we advise that you disconnect the battery connector from the logic board to avoid any electrical discharge.

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

    crwdns2936937:0gansodesoyacrwdne2936937:0

    why is step 3 necessary?

    Just to disconnect any power source to avoid damages by short-circuits.

    MrKane - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    How do you get that battery connector back on? Do you just press it in back in place after you're done?

    Horace Chung - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    yes. I usually plug it in before I screw it down so I can lift the battery a bit and have enough slack to be able to go straight down on the connector, otherwise it comes in on a bit of an angle, which can't be good (though not necessarily bad).

    maccentric -

    This step almost finished me, and I did extensive damage to the battery plug. Fortunately, I later replaced the battery, and the replacement came with a new plug! :) Newbies need to know - 1. The battery plug is like a thin lip on a thicker lip, so you need to pry BETWEEN 2 thin lips to get it off, else you are trying to yank out the socket. 2. Mine was initially VERY tight, and trying to get it out broke the plastic on all sides of plug, even though I was as careful as possible. Luckily, this didn't hurt functionality and I later replaced the battery. AFTER disconnecting once, it was never so tight again,

    Jeff Diamond - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

  4. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: crwdns2935265:04crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove two Phillips screws securing the hard drive bracket to the upper case.

    • These screws are captive to the hard drive bracket.

  5. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:05crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Lift the the retaining bracket out of the upper case.

  6. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:06crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Lift the hard drive by its pull tab and pull it out of the chassis, minding the cable attaching it to the computer.

  7. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 Hard Drive Replacement: crwdns2935265:07crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:01crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the hard drive cable by pulling its connector straight away from the hard drive.

    I guess it's probably my fault that I broke the SATA cable during this step (unless the cable was somehow already weakened), but for anyone reading this, be extra careful. My connector was fitted really tightly, and when it finally came out it ripped the cable, which is pretty expensive in its own right (although you can get a cheaper deal on eBay).

    nitrous - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

  8. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:01crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 Hard Drive Replacement, Hard Drive: crwdns2935265:08crwdnd2935265:02crwdnd2935265:02crwdne2935265:0
    • Remove the two T6 Torx screws from each side of the hard drive (four screws total).

    • You'll need to transfer these screws to your new hard drive if you're changing drives.

    • If you are installing a new hard drive, we have an OS X install guide to get you up and running.

    Does anyone know how I can get another set of the T6 screws I took out of my old HD? I forgot to save them and now my new SSD rattles around in the laptop!

    help

    TimAndSusanna Decker - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

    Hi there. We sell the Screw Set for the MBP 13" Mid 09 which includes the hard drive T6 screws you require. Hope this helps.

    Walter Galan -

    For those with the boot up issues, did you create a bootable flash drive per this link: Créer une clé USB bootable

    and THEN follow the install procedure for High Sierra at this link: How to Install macOS High Sierra

    I didn’t replace my hard drive, but those seem to be crucial steps prior to replacing it.

    This document is also referenced in a comment in one of the earliest steps of this guide. https://s3.amazonaws.com/ifixit-assets/M...

    Dan - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

crwdns2915888:0crwdne2915888:0

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

crwdns2935229:0521crwdne2935229:0

Walter Galan

694.044 crwdns2915208:0crwdne2915208:0

crwdns2935297:01.203crwdne2935297:0

crwdns2944067:015crwdne2944067:0

THANK YOU! I'm still on a high from repairing my husband's Macbook. It feels so nice to have two computers up and running again. You saved me nearly a grand, and made me realize how much I really did learn as a kid building PC towers with my dad.

emhannaford - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Hi, I got the 1TB SSD Hybrid you have listed above. Regardless of what I try, my computer does not recognize it. It sees the 32GB flash drive I used for an install disk and it sees my USB external drive where I have the time machine backup. But it just can't see this drive. Is there any troubleshooting for this product? Thanks!

robbyglasco - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Hi Robbyglasco, Have you been able to fix the issue? I'm having the same problem :-)

lkaravis -

I know this is a long time after the event for both of you, but for others Im pretty sure that this will be that you haven't yet formatted the SSD in Disk Utility. Before you can reinstall from Time Machine you have to go into Disk Utility and format the SSD. You get to Disk Utility from the option screen after you have booted the computer with "Command and R" (cmd-R).

Graham Crewe -

Thank you very much. This made the job much easier than it would have been if I had to figure it out for myself.

I replaced a 5 year old 320GB hard drive with a new 1TB hard drive. I first cloned the drive by attaching the new one via a USB dongle and running Carbon Copy Cloner. Then I booted the new drive via USB to confirm that it was properly cloned.

Then I followed the directions here. It took all of 15 minutes to do, because I knew exactly what to expect and had all the necessary tools on-hand. Your web site is an incredibly valuable resource. Thanks again.

David Charlap - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

My computer didn't recognize the 500gb seagate at first as a drive to restore onto. I had to add a new name under that in disk utility. Then went back to restore from time machine (external hard drive) and the drive was there with the new name!!

susanmyers - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

The HD in my mid2010 Mac was failing. I bought a replacement on eBay, 'Migrated' my files and settings to it after installing Mac OS and then booted from it via USB to check it was working. Relpacing the faulty drive was a doddle thanks to this clear, concise, accurate guide. Go raibh míle maith agat! (Gaelic for 'Thank You!')

aodhagan - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

I have tried to replace the hard drive of my MacBook Pro Computer mid 2010 with a Samsung 850 Evo of 500 GB 2.5 inch Solid State Drive. I have been following all the instructions given, but when I have finished and tried to install the system from a pendrive (Mac OS High Sierra) into the computer, and gone to the Disk Utilities for formatting the new SSD disk, NO INTERNAL DISK appears, this is, the new (and only) internal disk is not recognize by the computer.

Could someone help me? Is this a problem of the Samsung 850 Evo (Sata III, I think) with my Computer model? Would I need to change the SSD type or brand to get a full compatibility? Could I have done something wrong during the process?

I will appreciate very much your assistance.

Jose Luis Garcia Garrido

jgarciagarrido@gmail.com

April 28

Jose L Garcia Garrido - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

I ran to the same issue before. I isolated the problem as a HDD cable issue. The newer HDD does not have propoer contact with the pins on the HDD.  I tried several HDD. I just purchased and swapped the iternal HDD cable and fixed the issue. Hope this helps your issue.

Hazel Atienza -

I used these instructions to upgrade my mid 2010 15” MBP. Absolutely spot on! Thanks for taking the mystery out of how to make this upgrade. BTW, I installed a Samsung EVO 860 500GB SSD, no cable issue (thank goodness:-).

KenT - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Will I need a spacer for a SSD replacement since it is only 7mm, not 9.5mm, or will the drive bracket hold it firmly in place? Thanks

Pam Dooner - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Merci, vraiment merci !

J'ai pu changer le vieux DD pour un SSD, ce n'est pas un cheval de course mais la différence de rapidité est notable ! :-)

Laskoni - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

after connecting the Crucial 1TB SSD, rebooted then pressing Command R, a folder with a question appears. It won't even give me an option to go to disk utility. Please help! Thank you!

BBfreak 8 - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Hi, mein MacBook Pro(Mitte2010) wurde schon mal gepatcht, und jetzt mit Version macOS Mojave 10.14.6 geupdatet. Ich habe vor, den alten Festplatte mit einem neuen SSD auszutauschen. Aber wie kann ich dem die gepatschte macOS Mojave Version danach wieder darauf zu haben?

Danke und liebe Grüße

Kevin

Kevin - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0

Hier ist die Anleitung, wie du deine Festplatte klonen kannst, bevor du sie einbaust. Alternativ, mach ein Time Machine Backup, mach eine eine frische (gepatchte) Installation auf deinem Mac und spiele das Backup ein.

Fabian Neidhardt -

crwdns2917038:0crwdne2917038:0

crwdns2936625:0crwdne2936625:0:

crwdns2936751:024crwdne2936751:0 19

crwdns2936753:07crwdne2936753:0 142

crwdns2936753:030crwdne2936753:0 614

crwdns2942667:0crwdne2942667:0 615,834