Could You Hack a New Mac mini SSD?

Calling all modders, hackers, and makers! The new Mac mini is teasing us with upgradeable storage—a tantalizing possibility that feels just out of reach. It’s not like our PCMR friends haven’t been enjoying removable storage for decades, but here we are, celebrating baby steps in the Apple ecosystem.

The Catch

Apple has technically opened the door for replaceable storage in the M4 Mac mini, but someone needs to step up and create compatible modules—or reverse-engineer Apple’s design.

At first glance, these storage modules resemble M.2 SSDs, but don’t be fooled. While they share the same general dimensions and feature NAND chips on a PCB, these modules lack a storage controller. Apple has integrated the storage controller directly into the Apple Silicon SoC.

Why Apple Went Custom

Apple’s approach isn’t about locking users into their ecosystem—it’s a deliberate design decision to optimize performance. Integrating the storage controller with the SoC allows for tighter integration, lower latency, increased data security, and potentially improved energy efficiency.

But these benefits come with trade-offs. Without third-party competition, prices for storage upgrades remain eyewateringly high. The lack of a standardized interface makes these modules incompatible with existing M.2 drives or enclosures.

For the tinkerers among us, this presents an opportunity to innovate. Could you be the one to break Apple’s storage monopoly?

Tools for the Task: CT Scans and Case Studies

Thanks to our collaboration with Lumafield, we’ve captured high-detail CT scans of the Mac mini’s storage modules. We’ve made scans of the M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini storage modules available to the public. These scans reveal the internal structure of the modules, offering crucial insights for anyone looking to design a compatible alternative.

We’ve also posted our chip ID which may be useful for identifying the individual components on the PCB.

If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some promising case studies:

• Mac Studio Kickstarter: A recent campaign to produce third-party storage options for the Mac Studio showcases what’s possible when the community rallies together.
• MacBook Pro Custom Boards: Modders have already made strides in creating custom storage solutions for MacBooks, laying the groundwork for similar innovation in the Mac mini.

One standout example is dosdude1, a renowned figure in the Apple modding community. He has documented his early attempts at creating third-party storage solutions, navigating Apple’s unique hardware and software constraints. His work is still experimental, but it’s a promising starting point.

Good Luck and Godspeed

We’re sharing our CT scans with an explicit call for those ready to take on the challenge. Remember, designing a compatible storage module isn’t just about the hardware. Apple’s ecosystem often includes software-level checks, so be prepared to tackle firmware hurdles. We were able to use Apple Configurator to calibrate an upgraded drive, which gives us hope for third-party configuration potential. But it probably won’t be quite that easy.

Innovation often begins where limitations are imposed. The new Mac mini’s storage design presents a rare opportunity for modders and engineers to push the boundaries of what’s possible. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!