Upgrading 2013-2015 Macbook Pro SSD to M.2 NVMe

[gilles_polysoft]

Can 4TB M.2 SSDs be used in a MBP retina mid 2015?

Sure, I've been using one for years in my 11,2.
There is at this time (2025) no practical limits with NVMe / 64 bits CPU and firmware.

And if 4TB is doable, are there particular brands or models that are recommended, or others that are best avoided?

Hard to tell, as manufacturers do sometimes change NAND type over the commercial lifetime of an SSD (like it was done for the Crucial P2).

All 4TB drives are fast, even the Crucial P3 which is QLC, is faster than a lot of TLC drives.

If I were you I would test the Lexar NM790, it is very well priced, uses TLC NAND and has 2 times the efficiency of its competitors (MB/s by watt) :
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/lexar-nm790-ssd-review/2

 

[11.3-4tb-SSD-guy]

Hello! I just wanted to share my success with this, solely due to the help from this thread and everyone sharing information in it. So, firstly, thank you! Secondly, please read all of the first post on this thread, it's very useful.

My machine
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro11,3
Processor Name: Quad-Core Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 2.8 GHz
Memory: 16GB
BootRom: 478.0.0.0.0 (check this!)

I bought the short Sintech adaptor (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sintech-Adapter-Upgrade-2013-2015-MacBook/dp/B07FYY3H5F/) and the WD SN850X 4tb (https://www.amazon.co.uk/WD_BLACK-SN850X-2280-Gaming-speed/dp/B0B7CQ2CHH) with an external enclosure for the WD, for cloning purposes. I did also buy the long adaptor to try it, as it seemed more stable, but it wouldn't fit with the SSD I bought.

Once I had everything, I backed up my machine using SuperDuper! to make a bootable clone. This is done by formatting the new SSD with OS X Journaled and then selecting it in SuperDuper!, choosing "Backup - all files". Say yes to all of SD's suggestions. Do it overnight; it's a long one (I'm coming from a very full 1tb SSD)

Then, I downloaded and updated OCLP, selected 'build and install open core', 'install to disk' and select the external drive (for me, the 4tb WD)

Then I opened up the laptop using fixit's guide, swapped out the SSDs (remember the adaptor!) and secured it very snug - you have to push quite hard to make sure everything snaps into place. I also used this time to air dust the laptop to clean it all out.

Booted the laptop, and it all worked pretty much first time. I did reboot and reset the NVRAM but not sure if this was needed (turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold these four keys together: Option, Command, P, R. then release after 20 seconds when the machine reboots).

Have been running with literally no downtime or noticeable difference, besides the laptop running faster, quieter and more efficiently. W/R speeds are something like 1400 per and temperature of the SSD (using istat) is between 25 and 28 Celsius.

I hope this all helps! I won't be here much, but feel free to ask questions and I'll get back to them probably weekly.

 

[brdeveloper]

I was thinking about getting a m.2 NVME for my 2015 MBP, but ended up buying a Kingspec NA900s 1TB SSD with dedicated apple pinage, ready to install. Its performance in a 1TB unit is pretty similar to the original Samsung 250GB SSD (1800 to 1900MB/s read and write speeds at Blackmagic Disk Speed Test). I preferred a 100% compatible approach, despite I would probably get better performance with a Samsung Pro m.2 NVME. I have a Sintech adapter (bought on Sintech website circa 2018) in which its golden connectors show signs of corrosion, so I wonder how these adapters are really good quality ones.

 

[xboxbml]

I was thinking about getting a m.2 NVME for my 2015 MBP, but ended up buying a Kingspec NA900s 1TB SSD with dedicated apple pinage, ready to install. Its performance in a 1TB unit is pretty similar to the original Samsung 250GB SSD (1800 to 1900MB/s read and write speeds at Blackmagic Disk Speed Test). I preferred a 100% compatible approach, despite I would probably get better performance with a Samsung Pro m.2 NVME. I have a Sintech adapter (bought on Sintech website circa 2018) in which its golden connectors show signs of corrosion, so I wonder how these adapters are really good quality ones.

I've got 2 Sintech adapters.. never had an issue. Yeah, direct replacement does make things easier, but if I ever decide to change out a drive, I can use it in any other machine(pc).. oh the thought...lol.. I've got the long adapter in this 2015 MBP and a short one in the 2015 MBA.. Both machines work great!. Enjoy your new found space!..

 

[Nekomichi]

Reporting in with my results after a successful SSD upgrade.

MacBook: MacBookPro11,4, A1398 mid-2015 15" Retina with 2.2GHz i7 4770HQ (integrated graphics only)
BootROM: 489.0.0.0.0
Adaptor: "Zerone SSD to NVME Adapter Converter Hard Disk Adaptor Card for 2013 2014 2015 Macbook Pro/Macbook Air"
SSD: Crucial P5 Plus 2TB CT2000P5PSSD5 (came with a hefty heatsink attached, which had to be removed and thermal paste cleared out)
SsdPmEnabler: v0.1.1
NVMeFix: 1.1.2

Install steps:
1. Updated to macOS 12 Monterey with original Apple SSD still inside MacBook.
2. Swapped out SSD with the Crucial P5 Plus.
3. Clean-installed macOS 10.14 Mojave via USB bootable installer.

Speed test with the Crucial SSD gave me 2.7GB/s write and 2.4GB/s read speeds:

I initially noticed that the battery was draining quickly so I tried installing some patches for better power management:

Without patches, it was idling at 0.35A current draw. With SsdPmEnabler, it went down to 0.11A (68.6% less than without patches). With both SsDPmEnabler and NVMeFix, it went down to 0.02A (94.3% less than without patches).

Haven't encountered any kernel panics or crashes so far, however I noticed that under the energy saving settings there is no longer a slider for computer sleep, only for screen-off. Hibernation mode appears to be set to mode 3.