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

[macpro_mid2014]

Why do you prefer long adapter better than the short ones?

They are exactly the same in terms of electric circuitry. The only advantage I see in the use of the long model is to avoid any capacitive/short circuit effects due to the proximity of the SSD and the bottom metal case of the laptop.
I used the short version on my wife's MBA (in signature) and had to place Kapton tape to isolate the SSD and the bottom case otherwise the laptop would have kernel panics several times a day.

 

[gh68393]

Hey everyone - I've been reading and searching through this thread for several days.Thank you to all who've contributed.

I have a mid-2015 15" MBP and had been running Monterey. My internal SSD failed ~2 weeks ago and I've been running the Mac off of a bootable external as a stopgap.

I just tried to install a WD Black SN850X SSD with the long Sintech adapter (which I did buy from Amazon...so perhaps it's a counterfeit or a dud)? Each time I try to start up, it gets stuck in a reboot cycle. I've tried using a Monterey bootable installer I made, Internet Recovery, and even the external bootable backup SSD that I'd been booting from successfully prior to removing the original SSD.

Again, I was able to get to the internet recovery menu, click on the SD installer or bootable installer, etc (depending on whatever method I tried -- I did try some with no externals attached, FWIW), but then the computer started power cycling again. Once or twice, I've also received the question mark folder warning logo.

Again, I had been using Monterey on the original SSD, so the BootROM should be set, but since the old drive was kaput, there was no way to check. Any suggestions, aside from reodering the adapter or trying the slower, less reliable OWC drive?

FWIW, it also seemed reluctant to start up at all on battery power despite a full charge. I tried to make sure I reconnected the battery cable carefully but could that be off? If it were, would it be able to start up at all? From all I've read, it seems like a drive or BootROM error more based on the symptoms I've seen.

Update: I reinstalled the original drive (the one that's failed) and with it back in place, I am able to boot from my bootable external again. I don't know if that helps inform any troubleshooting tips, but figured more info doesn't hurt!

 

[dogen]

I just tried to install a WD Black SN850X SSD with the long Sintech adapter …

Try the short Sintech adapter instead?

Did someone report success with the 580X? I don't see it among the recommended drives on the first page of the thread.

 

[macpro_mid2014]

Hey everyone - I've been reading and searching through this thread for several days.Thank you to all who've contributed.

I have a mid-2015 15" MBP and had been running Monterey. My internal SSD failed ~2 weeks ago and I've been running the Mac off of a bootable external as a stopgap.

I just tried to install a WD Black SN850X SSD with the long Sintech adapter (which I did buy from Amazon...so perhaps it's a counterfeit or a dud)? Each time I try to start up, it gets stuck in a reboot cycle. I've tried using a Monterey bootable installer I made, Internet Recovery, and even the external bootable backup SSD that I'd been booting from successfully prior to removing the original SSD.

Again, I was able to get to the internet recovery menu, click on the SD installer or bootable installer, etc (depending on whatever method I tried -- I did try some with no externals attached, FWIW), but then the computer started power cycling again. Once or twice, I've also received the question mark folder warning logo.

Again, I had been using Monterey on the original SSD, so the BootROM should be set, but since the old drive was kaput, there was no way to check. Any suggestions, aside from reodering the adapter or trying the slower, less reliable OWC drive?

FWIW, it also seemed reluctant to start up at all on battery power despite a full charge. I tried to make sure I reconnected the battery cable carefully but could that be off? If it were, would it be able to start up at all? From all I've read, it seems like a drive or BootROM error more based on the symptoms I've seen.

Update: I reinstalled the original drive (the one that's failed) and with it back in place, I am able to boot from my bootable external again. I don't know if that helps inform any troubleshooting tips, but figured more info doesn't hurt!

It is not clear for me if you tried this:

1- With the SN850X installed in your MBP, boot it with only the Monterey installer stick plugged in on a USB port.
1a. When you power on the computer, immediately hold the Option key until you see all bootable options.
2a. Using the arrow keys, navigate to the Monterey Installer option and select it by pressing Enter.

If it does not work, it is probably an incompatibility of the SSD firmware with the model of your Mac and you will have to get another SSD like the one on the previous page reported by @fractalus (post 12442). Their computer is probably the same as yours and the SK hynix P41 worked for them.

 

[gh68393]

It is not clear for me if you tried this:

1- With the SN850X installed in your MBP, boot it with only the Monterey installer stick plugged in on a USB port.
1a. When you power on the computer, immediately hold the Option key until you see all bootable options.
2a. Using the arrow keys, navigate to the Monterey Installer option and select it by pressing Enter.

If it does not work, it is probably an incompatibility of the SSD firmware with the model of your Mac and you will have to get another SSD like the one on the previous page reported by @fractalus (post 12442). Their computer is probably the same as yours and the SK hynix P41 worked for them.

Thank you -- I did try the steps above but used the cursor rather than the arrow keys. I will try that! I was hoping to try the Hynix P31 originally but couldn't find it,but will give the P41 a shot.

Try the short Sintech adapter instead?

Did someone report success with the 580X? I don't see it among the recommended drives on the first page of the thread.

I used the SN850X, which several people have reported using successfully in 2025 (not sure if it was with my specific MBP model, though).

I just ordered the shorter adapter and will try it with both the WD and the Hynix P41!

Another note for future users: I had already ordered the OWC Aura Pro X2 (i.e. the NON-m.2 drive with Apple's proprietary pins) before I found this thread, so I gave that a try as well, but could NOT get it into the SSD slot; the pin side seems too thick and it wasn't even close to being far enough in the slot that I could lay it flat and screw it in. Even though I was very careful attempting to insert it, I'm afraid it may have damaged something, because after that install attempt, even my original SSD + bootable external combo gets stuck in the perpetual reboot cycle . I decided to leave things alone for a few days and will try things again when the Hynix drive arrives.

A few other questions:

1. Should I try removing and reinserting my original drive before trying the short adapter with the WD and Hynix, in case the original's not seated properly or something? In other words, will it possibly benefit the next attempt if I get things booting with the OG drive in place immediately beforehand?
2. The power issues seem to be persisting, too, despite efforts to reset the PRAM and SMC. It's doing the thing where (if the device is plugged into power), it powers on if I touch any key, even if I haven't pressed the power key, and again, it's reboot city. Any other steps to try in this regard? I read a comment in some forum saying that sometimes, the battery cable can be pressed down TOO far and that adjusting that can help... any other suggestions/tips? Apologies if this last question veers from the thread topic a bit, but I don't know if it's could be related to the SSDs, SSD pins, software/firmware/settings, etc .... or not.

 

[macpro_mid2014]

A few other questions:

1. Should I try removing and reinserting my original drive before trying the short adapter with the WD and Hynix, in case the original's not seated properly or something? In other words, will it possibly benefit the next attempt if I get things booting with the OG drive in place immediately beforehand?

Yes, you can do that. Sometimes cleaning the ssd contacts also help.

1. The power issues seem to be persisting, too, despite efforts to reset the PRAM and SMC. It's doing the thing where (if the device is plugged into power), it powers on if I touch any key, even if I haven't pressed the power key, and again, it's reboot city.

Looks like the MBP is entering sleep mode. It sometimes happens with my MBP as well, just by opening the lid, it turns on.

1. Any other steps to try in this regard? I read a comment in some forum saying that sometimes, the battery cable can be pressed down TOO far and that adjusting that can help... any other suggestions/tips?

If you unplug the battery, your MBP will slow down a lot, just reseat the cable and leave it plugged in.

Also, I suggest you unplug your external SSD, install the original Apple's SSD and run the hardware diagnostic tool following the instructions on this link:

Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support (CA)

Apple Diagnostics, formerly known as Apple Hardware Test, can check your Mac for hardware issues.

support.apple.com

If there is no hardware issues, then you can proceed to test the short adapter and the Hynix SSD.