Take off Macbook Pro's SSD hard disk and read it on Windows machine

[blobdx7]

Hi everyone,
my Macbook pro 13" retina (early 2015) just died after a long sequence of "your computer restarted because of an error" and several tries to reinstall his OS via recovery mode. Now it doesn't even power up.

I would like to take out the SSD hard disk (1TB) and try to read it on a Windows machine to save the data.
I saw different "enclosures" for these SSD disks on Amazon, but can't figure out which one is ok for this Macbook SSD model.
This one for instance: https://www.amazon.com/OWC-Portable-Bus-Powered-Enclosure-2013-Current/product-reviews/B00TQWKFSA

Also, my concern is about filesystem compatibility. Would it be easy to read it on Windows or should I have another Macbook to read its data?

Anyone can help me?

Thank you in advance!

 

[chscag]

You didn't say which version of macOS your MacBook Pro was running, however, Windows can not read HFS+ without a special driver. And if your MacBook Pro was running either Mojave or Catalina that means the file system was APFS which Windows can not read.

 

[blobdx7]

You didn't say which version of macOS your MacBook Pro was running, however, Windows can not read HFS+ without a special driver. And if your MacBook Pro was running either Mojave or Catalina that means the file system was APFS which Windows can not read.

Thank for your reply, OS should be high sierra. Yet another option was to wait my new macbook pro and read data from it. So i'm still interested in finding out the right "SSD disk reader"

 

[TiggrToo]

Hi everyone,
my Macbook pro 13" retina (early 2015) just died after a long sequence of "your computer restarted because of an error" and several tries to reinstall his OS via recovery mode. Now it doesn't even power up.

I would like to take out the SSD hard disk (1TB) and try to read it on a Windows machine to save the data.
I saw different "enclosures" for these SSD disks on Amazon, but can't figure out which one is ok for this Macbook SSD model.
This one for instance: https://www.amazon.com/OWC-Portable-Bus-Powered-Enclosure-2013-Current/product-reviews/B00TQWKFSA

Also, my concern is about filesystem compatibility. Would it be easy to read it on Windows or should I have another Macbook to read its data?

Anyone can help me?

Thank you in advance!

You’ll need third party apps to read the disk, of which there appear to be several.

Make sure you get the correct one because Apple changed from HFS used in Sierra and High Sierra, to APFS in Mojave and Catalina.

I’ve never done this myself so can’t recommend any particular apps; however irrespective of HFS or APFS it’s certainly feasible to do.

For example:

https://www.paragon-software.com/home/apfs-windows/

or

HFS+ for Windows by Paragon Software

Read and write files from HFS+ formatted disks on your Windows PC.

www.paragon-software.com

 

[jlc1978]

Thank for your reply, OS should be high sierra. Yet another option was to wait my new macbook pro and read data from it. So i'm still interested in finding out the right "SSD disk reader"

I've used Paragon software for years to read /write Apple formated disks on Windows and vice versa. They make a solid product and if you want to read a disk on a Windows box I recommend them. Only question is if you've used file vault I'm not sure if they can decrypt the disk.

EDIT: It uses an Apple proprietary connector.

Have you tried booting from an external disk? that way you could simply transfer the data to the external drive and then transfer it back.

An alternative would be to go to an Apple store (if they are open) and have them troubleshoot to see if it is drive issue or something else.

 

[psingh01]

You can go to Macsales.com and check the ssd upgrades for your specific model MBP. They should offer you some bundles with an ssd + enclosure for your old drive. That should at least identify an enclosure that works with your original drive.

 

[blobdx7]

I've used Paragon software for years to read /write Apple formated disks on Windows and vice versa. They make a solid product and if you want to read a disk on a Windows box I recommend them. Only question is if you've used file vault I'm not sure if they can decrypt the disk.

EDIT: It uses an Apple proprietary connector.

Have you tried booting from an external disk? that way you could simply transfer the data to the external drive and then transfer it back.

An alternative would be to go to an Apple store (if they are open) and have them troubleshoot to see if it is drive issue or something else.

I've abandoned the idea of booting from an external disk since pushing the power button results in nothing..

 

[Fishrrman]

If the OP was using High Sierra, there's a chance the drive may have been formatted in APFS.

Even if you get the OWC external enclosure, and get it connected to a PC running the special software that enables Windows to read HFS+ drives -- this still may not work, IF the drive is in APFS. You might need to connect it to another Mac.

Tell us where in the world you are.
Do they have Apple Stores where you are?

 

[jlc1978]

I've abandoned the idea of booting from an external disk since pushing the power button results in nothing..

Have you tried a different power supply?

 

[Audit13]

Is the drive is encrypted with File Vault?

You could try using a Windows desktop with a PCIe slot adapter.

 

[blobdx7]

If the OP was using High Sierra, there's a chance the drive may have been formatted in APFS.

Even if you get the OWC external enclosure, and get it connected to a PC running the special software that enables Windows to read HFS+ drives -- this still may not work, IF the drive is in APFS. You might need to connect it to another Mac.

Tell us where in the world you are.
Do they have Apple Stores where you are?

Italy, yes there are Apple Stores here, but they usually give no warranty about data loss. So I prefer to make a backup myself before giving my mbp to them..

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"Italy, yes there are Apple Stores here, but they usually give no warranty about data loss. So I prefer to make a backup myself before giving my mbp to them.."

I suggest you make an appointment at an Apple Store genius bar (IF they are open there) and let them have a look at it.

They -may- have a way of "getting the data off the drive" even if the computer has to go in for repairs.

It's worth trying.
If anyone has the ability to get at the data, it's Apple.