Mac Studio Storage Not User-Upgradeable Due to Software Block [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Update: The Mac Studio requires an IPSW restore after changing its SSD modules to ensure that they are readable and able to boot. Running a Device Firmware Update (DFU) restore using the macOS IPSW package for the Mac Studio should enable the machine to boot from a different SSD, providing that both of the modules are of the same size and make, meaning that storage upgrades still appear to be feasible.

Despite being easily removable since it is not soldered down, the Mac Studio's SSD storage is not currently user-upgradeable due to a software block, YouTuber Luke Miani has discovered.

Image via Max Tech​

Initial teardowns suggested that the Mac Studio's storage could be upgradeable since it is not soldered in place. Each Mac Studio contains two internal SSD slots, and the SSDs themselves can be freely swapped between the connectors.

In a video on his YouTube channel, Miani tested if the Mac Studio's storage is user upgradeable in practice. Miani wiped the SSD of a Mac Studio, removed it from the machine, and inserted it into an empty SSD slot in another Mac Studio, but the Mac's status light blinked SOS and would not boot.

The Mac Studio recognizes the SSD, but Apple's software prevents it from booting, suggesting that this is a conscious decision by Apple to prevent users from upgrading their storage themselves. On its website, Apple claims that the Mac Studio's SSD storage is "not user accessible" and encourages users to configure the device with enough storage at the point of purchase.

It now seems that the purpose of the easily replaceable storage is to aid repairs performed by authorized technicians, who likely will have software tools that enable the Mac Studio to boot from different internal storage. Since the prevention of user-upgradeability appears to simply be due to a software block, Apple could enable users to upgrade their own storage in the future via an update.

It was originally impossible for users to manually upgrade the storage of the Mac Pro, but Apple went on to offer a kit to upgrade the Mac Pro's storage in mid-2020, so a similar move for the Mac Studio is not out of the question, particularly given the announcement of Apple's Self Service Repair Program.

Article Link: Mac Studio Storage Not User-Upgradeable Due to Software Block [Updated]

 

[jetjaguar]

Of course they would block it

 

[ChrisMoBro]

Sorry, how is this modular?

 

[Marbles1]

I remember the glory days of being able to buy a low spec Mac and upgrade ram and drive.

Pretty odd that a 'professional machine' with a chunky enclosure wouldn't be aimed toward expandability.

 

[JPack]

And then the Apple user woke up from their dream.

Of course.

 

[contacos]

The EU will LOVE this

 

[jamezr]

Apple will "sell" you a kit to upgrade your SSD. In other words...we want to make more money from your original purchase.....

 

[sinsin07]

Translation: Greed

 

[onlyforbo]

Someone will make a crack within this year 100% if the part isn’t accessible.

 

[Kashifnawaz85]

Off course it's typical Apple, no surprise. But imagine the tech sites if Microsoft or Google did this to their hardware. The whole world will scream like hell.

 

[NapoleonIV]

This sounds like he may have wiped the efi partition. Try installing macOS on the new ssd, verify that it boots externally, and then install it.

 

[Menno87]

Not watched the video. But for the Mac Pro they needed to be paired again with the controller. This was done with the Apple configurator and another Mac. Maybe the same needs to be done.

 

[AltecX]

Off course it's typical Apple, no surprise. But imagine the tech sites if Microsoft or Google did this to their hardware. The whole world will scream like hell.

MS actually updated their Surface devices specifically to make the drive replaceable. I cant see Apple doing that with the Air or Pros.

 

[TEG]

One would expect there will be a legit upgrade path in the future, like with the 2019 Mac Pro. Or some enterprising person will be able to solve the problem.

 

[Wingdinger]

It may follow the pattern of some previous incidents? Apple does something dumb because they’re obligated to, then there’s a customer uproar, and Apple back pedals. I could see that happening here.

 

[fwmireault]

Obviously I would prefer more modularity in Apple computers, but we knew day one that the Mac Studio SSD would not be upgradeable. This is a known limitation and there’s no reason we should expect otherwise

 

[NapoleonIV]

This sounds like he may have wiped the efi partition. Try installing macOS on the new ssd, verify that it boots externally, and then install it.

In fact the real test here would have been to swap the drives without wiping them. You can’t just put a blank drive in a Mac and expect it to boot. It won’t. The boot loader is actually stored on the drive.

 

[ValSalva]

Is anyone really surprised? Maybe there will be an OCLP-type workaround for this at some point

 

[JPack]

Obviously I would prefer more modularity in Apple computers, but we knew day one that the Mac Studio SSD would not be upgradeable. This is a known limitation and there’s no reason we should expect otherwise

It’s the fact that Apple went for a “modular” connector for their own assembly and cost efficiency but didn’t want to pass that advantage to the consumer.

 

[gigapocket1]

I wonder if you can clone the drive.. would that work....

 

[Pilot Jones]

One would expect there will be a legit upgrade path in the future, like with the 2019 Mac Pro. Or some enterprising person will be able to solve the problem.

If someone else figures out how to do this, the first thing Apple will do is software block that method ?

 

[VictorTango777]

Replacing SSDs in the latest Mac Pro:

Install or replace SSD modules in your Mac Pro (2019) - Apple Support

Learn how to install SSD modules in your Mac Pro and how to use Apple Configurator to set them up for your Mac.

support.apple.com

Of course, why this convoluted process and a second computer are required is another question.

 

[Jaro65]

Hopefully only a matter of time before someone finds a way around that.

 

[Pilot Jones]

It’s the fact that Apple went for a “modular” connector for their own assembly and cost efficiency but didn’t want to pass that advantage to the consumer.

Yeah...usually Apple isn't this out and out skeevy and a little more elegant in how they do these things. This seems an unusually brutishly & unsophisticated way to squeeze more money out of very high paying customers.

 

[TimmuJapan]

!#%! Apple for their continued hostility toward the right to repair and toward people wanting to upgrade their own bought and paid for devices.