Can you really install SSD this easily (Late 2012)

[Johnny1068]

I was watching some videos about this topic and in almost all of them the fan and RAMs and other stuff is taken out (which seems too hard for me to do).

But in this video it is done without all of that. Is this safe to do it like this?

 

[InuNacho]

Just did this on a 2010 Mini and yes it is that simple. I do recommend installing the OS on the drive before sliding it in though.

 

[DeltaMac]

There's two separate locations (bays) for an SATA inside that 2012 mini. One is pretty simple, the other requires removing virtually everything to get at.
If you are upgrading a 2012 mini, then I would also suggest it would be a good idea to replace the battery, which would also be more than 10 years old. That, by itself, requires removal of the logic board, as the battery is on top of the logic board (underneath side, as you look at it from the opening)
(I disagree - there's no reason to install a system "before" installing, other than you will know the drive is working, tricky bits are the wifi antenna connector, and seating the antenna plate into position... )

 

[Orizence]

Yep I would say it was that simple, took me maybe about 10 minutes because I dropped a screw.

 

[AlixSPQR]

I was watching some videos about this topic and in almost all of them the fan and RAMs and other stuff is taken out (which seems too hard for me to do).

But in this video it is done without all of that. Is this safe to do it like this?

Spoiler

I would say not entirely safe, it's a tight fit, as you can se. The logic board and/or its connections could be damaged. I'd advise to follow iFixit's guide (which I have followed myself and I appreciate why they do it that way*). But if that feels too difficult, give this method a try. But don't use much force when pulling out the HDD.

*I also redid it with an additional SSD and a second SATA cable. The most difficult part for me was to align the antenna plate correctly, believe it or not, both times.

 

[Miat]

I have replaced the drives in both bays on a 2012 Mini a couple of times. It is not hard, as such, but it is fiddly and relatively easy to do some damage if you are not experienced in pulling apart electronic stuff.

If you are replacing the battery make sure you get the correct one. (BR2032)

Also worth applying fresh thermal paste.

The guides from iFixit are excellent.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

It takes me about 8 minutes to swap out the hard drive. It's pretty easy on the 2012 Mini.

 

[MBAir2010]

I always swap a SSD 500GB MacMini 2012 with Mojave
with a 256 GB Monterey within 1 minute.

• what I do is
  unslide remove the cover
• unscrew those and antena plate screws
• slide that over carefully
• use a plastic Splunger to lift the cable connector free from Logic board
• pull up the SSD slide toward RAM side nice a slow and vertical towards the fan.
• unlatch conector
• install new one by sliding under the electrical chords on the back part of mini
• secure down
• place antena plate kine up with 2 toothpicks in hole
• screw in everything
• cover
• restart

you might need a mountain Lion boot,
or do what DeltaMac stated about OS prep, he is wise!