How to Upgrade SSD in Macbook Air (2013-2017)?

If you have an old Macbook Air i.e. 2013 to 2017, you can easily upgrade its SSD. If you have limited storage space, this installation guide can help you with everything from choosing the SSD to installing it properly. The guide was made with an old 2017 Macbook Air 13″ but you can use it for other models like:

• MacBook Air (11-inch & 13-inch, Mid-2013)
• MacBook Air (11-inch & 13-inch, Early 2014)
• MacBook Air (11-inch & 13-inch, Early 2015)
• MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017)

Opening up a Macbook and SSD installation is pretty easy but can result in damages if you do not handle the hardware properly. So, do it at your own risk. Let’s get started.

Which SSD you can install in your Macbook Air (2013 – 2017)?

All the models that we discussed above came with Apple’s own SSDs with different connectors compared to the ordinary NVMe drives. However, the configurations are as follows depending on the type of your laptop.

1. 128GB PCIe-based SSD (NVMe)
   Configurable to 256GB or 512GB SSD
2. 256GB PCIe-based SSD (NVMe)
   Configurable to 512GB SSD

If you are using the 128GB variant, you can either upgrade with a 256GB or a 512GB SSD. In simple words, you can’t install any internal M.2 NVMe SSD with more than 512GB of space inside these old Macbook Air laptops. You can check the official page for more information.

Tackling the Form Factor and Connector Problem

Apple has its own M.2 SSD design with a different connector type. It is Apple’s proprietary design sometimes called Apple Blade SSD or Apple PCIe SSD. It is longer than the normal NVMe SSDs and has a different pin layout. You can’t install any other normal 2280 M.2 NVMe SSD inside a Macbook because they are physically incompatible. However, because they are using the same PCIe interface and NVMe protocol, you can use an adapter to get your normal SSD installed on your Macbook.

If you don’t want to open your MacBook Air, you can go with a good M.2 SSD enclosure. We are going to get to that later in this article. Now, just start with the installation process.

Note: Opening your laptop may void its warranty. Also, any physical damage to the internal components may result in serious problems as well. So, take special care while performing these actions.

Tools Required

1. Screwdriver (Pentalobe P5 1.2mm/PH #00)
2. Screwdriver (Torx T5)
3. Anti-static wrist strap (Not Mandatory)
4. External Drive for backup (Timemachine)

Steps to upgrade/install SSD in Macbook Air 13″ 2017?

Replacing the SSD on any old Macbook Air is surprisingly easy as compared to other laptops. If you follow the steps carefully, you can get it done in just five minutes. So, let’s get started. Make sure to back up your data before proceeding.

Step 1: Backup your MacOS

You can either back up your Mac OS and files on the Cloud or on an external drive as well. External backup is simple but cloud backup is more secure. Because we are going to completely replace the existing drive, the data should be stored somewhere so that we can restore it.

Once the backup is complete, you are ready to replace the SSD. Once the installation is done, we will restore the data to the new drive. You can also choose to do a clean upgrade with a new installation. For that, you will need to create a bootable drive and its complete process is given here.

Step 2: Disconnect the power cord if connected and turn your laptop over

Make sure the charging cable is disconnected. Now, make sure to turn your laptop upside down on a soft surface.

Step 3: Open 10 Screws from the bottom

All these screw heads are the same and can be opened with a Pentalobe P5 1.2mm screwdriver. If you do not have a compatible screwdriver, you can try with another cross-head PH #00 screwdriver. But, make sure to never force it. Rushing on the screws can result in damage to the head. So, try to use a compatible screwdriver. If you don’t have one, you can order online easily. Two long screws and eight small screws will be there on the bottom. You can see their locations.

Step 4: Take the bottom panel out

You might be feared of this step. But, opening the bottom cover is very easy once you have opened all the screws. You just have to insert your finger inside the top display panel cavity. Then gently take the cover out and it will be removed without requiring much effort.

Step 5: Unplug the Battery

Although your laptop is working with an internal battery, it is possible to disconnect it from the board. It is not mandatory but you should definitely do it for safety purposes. You just have to take that connector out from the battery port.

Step 6: Open the M.2 screw and take the existing SSD out

Now, you will need your second screwdriver i.e. Torx T5. You can see a small screw holding your existing SSD in its place. One side will be the M.2 port and this screw on the second end. Just open that small screw with your screwdriver. You can now take your SSD out from the port. Make sure to pull it from the port at the same angle. Do not try to grab it to the top directly.

Step 7: Install your new SSD

Take your new SSD insert it inside the M.2 port at an angle and push gently inside the port. It should get to its place and then you just have to tighten that M.2 screw back on its place. The SSD should again come under the screw.

With an adapter, the SSD would look something like this.

Step 8: Reconnect the battery and close the bottom cover

Now, in the same, you disconnect the battery and re-install it by inserting the connector inside the port. Then, place the bottom cover in its place and tighten all the screws that their place. If you have forgotten the location of these 8 small and 2 long screws, you can see the image below.

Step 9: Restore your Mac from the backup

1. Connect your external Time Machine drive where the backup is stored (ignore in the case of iCloud backup)
2. Now, start your Mac and press the Command+R key while the booting process
3. Now, you will enter the backup menu and be asked to log in
4. You can then choose the Time machine recovery option

5. In the next menu, choose your backup drive and then click Continue. If you have an iCloud backup, you will see its name as well.

6. If you have multiple backup points, choose the latest one or the one that you want to restore.

7. The next step is to choose your new drive for the backup and then proceed further with the restoration process.

You will be asked to erase the drive which you can surely do because the new drive is already empty. Then, you will have to wait for some time for this restoration process. The total restoration time will depend on the total size of your backup.

Best SSD for Macbook Air 2017

Because Apple has its own form factor for M.2 SSDs, it is not easy to find these special SSDs in the market. But, there are some SSDs that you can trust and install on your laptop. You can have a look at this popular Macbook Air SSD.

Can you install any M.2 NVMe SSD in Macbook Air 2017?

We discussed earlier that Apple SSDs are using a different form factor. So, the key location is different from the ordinary SSDs in this case. But, because the interface is the same, we can make use of an external adapter to connect any M.2 NVMe SSD to our Macbook Air laptop. Below is a device that you can get for this.

This M.2 NGFF M-Key SSD Convert Card will go directly inside the M.2 port on your Macbook Air. Then you can use the normal M.2 NVMe port mounted on its top. You can easily connect any M.2 NVMe SSD there pretty easily. The speed will remain the same. Just make sure that you are installing a PCIe 3.0 NVMe SSD.

Thanks for reading!