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

[macpro_mid2014]

You are correct! I always make some confusion regarding their names
Just removed the info...

Thank you!!

 

[Gotchaman]

The safest way is to extract it from the macOS installation app (Big Sur in your case).

You must use the original SSD to update such an old version of firmware. This is an old Apple requirement for your model. EBay used to sell them sometime ago, you can check if they still sell them.

If you have an original SSD, just by installing the latest version of Big Sur, your firmware will be updated.

Also, you can update the Firmware using a ROM writing device. You can find its description in the starting pages of this thread. In my opinion it is easier to buy a used original drive for the firmware update than such device.

In addition, the latest firmware version for your model is 478.0.0.0.0 (released with the latest versions of Big Sur - I don't recall which one first brought it).
You can use SilentKnight to find firmware information besides other information about your model. https://eclecticlight.co/wpcontent/uploads/2024/09/silentknight211.zip)

Finally, your model is not compatible with Mojave. The latest compatible macOS is Big Sur. If you are running Mojave it is because you are using one of the patchers available to allow the use of newer macOS on Unsupported Macs such as OpenCore Legacy Patcher or using -no_compat.

Thank you for the explanation! Yes, I would prefer to stay on Mojave for some reasons. I have a few remaining questions:

Can I update the firmware to 478.0.0.0.0 (for example, using the original SSD) while staying on Mojave?

If I do not find the original SSD, will my firmware remain the same if I update to Big Sur?

If I find the original SSD, can I update the firmware without updating the OS on that disk? Maybe a friend has what I need, but he also doesn't want to update to Big Sur.

By the way, I found this solution for non-original disks – maybe it will work for me as well?

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/qm3rv0/macos_monterey_update_without_the_original_apple

 

[edevmon]

Thank you for the explanation! Yes, I would prefer to stay on Mojave for some reasons. I have a few remaining questions:

Can I update the firmware to 478.0.0.0.0 (for example, using the original SSD) while staying on Mojave?

If I do not find the original SSD, will my firmware remain the same if I update to Big Sur?

If I find the original SSD, can I update the firmware without updating the OS on that disk? Maybe a friend has what I need, but he also doesn't want to update to Big Sur.

By the way, I found this solution for non-original disks – maybe it will work for me as well?

https://www.reddit.com/r/MacOS/comments/qm3rv0/macos_monterey_update_without_the_original_apple

It is possible to update the BootROM manually:

It is possible to upgrade the BootROM firmware without upgrading the OS though, and it would save you some time. This method doesn't require the original SSD stick either:
Actualizar BootROM manualmente (spanish)

TL;DR:
1. Download latest OS version officially supported
2. Mount the SharedSupport.dmg image found inside the installer app
3. Extract ZIP file inside MacSoftwareUpdate directory
4. Locate the right EFI Payload for your model
5. Bless the EFI Payload file, shutdown the computer and turn it on

That blog entry is heavily based on some old posts in this threat and you should use the appropriate file for your own MacBook model (might be MBP114 or MBP115, you can find that on System Report information).
Let me stress the importance of reading the whole article and double check everything, though.

Updated link to article (spanish)

 

[Gotchaman]

It is possible to update the BootROM manually:


Updated link to article (spanish)

Thank you! I'll try!

 

[Gotchaman]

I have another question for those who know. I replaced the SSD on my a1502 (MBPro 13" Mid 2014) with a non-original one, took an Apacer 1TB.

The new SSD's PCB is slightly bent when inserted into the adapter and fastened with the factory screw. How critical is this for the disk's lifespan? Is there a hack to avoid bending? If I don't screw it, my PCB is slightly tilted relative to the adapter and will probably press against the back cover or wobble, or it may even pop out of the connector during use (although it feels tight). Unfortunately, I didn't take photos. The laptop is assembled now and everything works normally.

 

[xboxbml]

I have another question for those who know. I replaced the SSD on my a1502 (MBPro 13" Mid 2014) with a non-original one, took an Apacer 1TB.

The new SSD's PCB is slightly bent when inserted into the adapter and fastened with the factory screw. How critical is this for the disk's lifespan? Is there a hack to avoid bending? If I don't screw it, my PCB is slightly tilted relative to the adapter and will probably press against the back cover or wobble, or it may even pop out of the connector during use (although it feels tight). Unfortunately, I didn't take photos. The laptop is assembled now and everything works normally.

Which adapter are you using?. Not sure about the 2014, but my 2015 15" took the long Sintech adapter very well. I ended up with that as my original Mac-2015MBA, I had ordered the long adapter and discovered it made the SSD so elevated with the SSD I chose, that the case back was pressing down on it pretty significantly. I then ordered the Sintech short adapter and it was fine. I hung onto the long adapter and good thing I did cuz that worked fine in my 2015MBP. Having the case back press down on the SSD will definitely cause issues at some point, if not immediately. The SSD needs to be screwed down and secured. So long term you might want to look into that if it is pressing down on it with it being secured, plus it should not be in a bent position. That will also cause failure at some point.

 

[Gotchaman]

Which adapter are you using?

This one: NFHK N-941B

It is difficult to buy Sintech in Russia, even from China. I ordered another, shorter adapter with similar markings: NFHK N-941A, hopefully it will provide enough space for proper SSD installation.

 

[xboxbml]

This one: NFHK N-941B

View attachment 2578520

It is difficult to buy Sintech in Russia, even from China. I ordered another, shorter adapter with similar markings: NFHK N-941A, hopefully it will provide enough space for proper SSD installation.

Well, that looks similar to my long adapter. That's what I have in the 2015MBP. The short one like i said is what i used in the 2015MBA. I just now actually took that and the 2TB drive out of the MBA and put the 512gb Apple SSD back into it and loaded Linux Mint 22.2 on it.. that's what i'm typing on now. Good luck.. Hope the short one works better.

 

[Eore227]

Ok I looked at the compatible ssd list and I see the Samsung 990 evo. I just bought the 990 evo plus. Is this compatible or not? I have early 2015 MacBook Pro retina 13 inch. Thanks!

 

[Gotchaman]

It is possible to update the BootROM manually:


Updated link to article (spanish)

Unfortunately, this did not work in my case. I tried several times. I think the reason is that firmware below a certain version does not update this way. I never updated to Big Sur on the original disk, and that was my mistake.

But there are still questions left. I can take the original disk from a friend (he also has Mojave installed). Will I be able to update the firmware in some way without making any changes to his disk?

 

[splifingate]

I have another question for those who know. I replaced the SSD on my a1502 (MBPro 13" Mid 2014) with a non-original one, took an Apacer 1TB.

The new SSD's PCB is slightly bent when inserted into the adapter and fastened with the factory screw. How critical is this for the disk's lifespan? Is there a hack to avoid bending? If I don't screw it, my PCB is slightly tilted relative to the adapter and will probably press against the back cover or wobble, or it may even pop out of the connector during use (although it feels tight). Unfortunately, I didn't take photos. The laptop is assembled now and everything works normally.

FWIW, this 2015 13" MBP is still working to this day, as well as it is able to work (I gifted it to a friend, and she's using it for her bay-trading)

 

[macpro_mid2014]

Unfortunately, this did not work in my case. I tried several times. I think the reason is that firmware below a certain version does not update this way. I never updated to Big Sur on the original disk, and that was my mistake.

But there are still questions left. I can take the original disk from a friend (he also has Mojave installed). Will I be able to update the firmware in some way without making any changes to his disk?

Do a Time Machine backup of your friend's ssd and then create a partition in it. If you have space, 30-48 GB would do.
Download the latest Big Sur from Mr. Macintosh's site:

Big Sur From Apple

Install Big Sur in the small partition (the firmware should be updated). If it is, your friend can delete the partition and keep their original macOS.
When you run the .pkg from the link above, it creates the Install Big Sur.app which resides in the /Applications folder.
You can run it directly or prepare a bootable USB and install Big Sur from it.


PS: I vaguely remember at the time that the PLUS version of Samsung had some issues of firmware incompatibilities. People had to update the ssd's firmware before being able to use it in their Macs. I'm am not sure if the version that you can find is already updated by Samsung or not.

 

[Gotchaman]

Do a Time Machine backup of your friend's ssd and then create a partition in it. If you have space, 30-48 GB would do.
Download the latest Big Sur from Mr. Macintosh's site:

Big Sur From Apple

Install Big Sur in the small partition (the firmware should be updated). If it is, your friend can delete the partition and keep their original macOS.
When you run the .pkg from the link above, it creates the Install Big Sur.app which resides in the /Applications folder.
You can run it directly or prepare a bootable USB and install Big Sur from it.


PS: I vaguely remember at the time that the PLUS version of Samsung had some issues of firmware incompatibilities. People had to update the ssd's firmware before being able to use it in their Macs. I'm am not sure if the version that you can find is already updated by Samsung or not.

Thank you for the instructions! An important point: I don't need to upgrade to Big Sur, Mojave suits me fine. Will updating the firmware to 478.0.0.0.0 help me get rid of the laptop shutting down after closing the lid? Or can I leave everything as is for now?

 

[Gotchaman]

Hi!

I want to share my experience updating the Boot Rom to the latest possible version 478.0.0.0.0 for my MacBookPro11,1. I was running Mojave 10.14.6 and had never upgraded to a later OS. My original SSD died - the OS stopped booting, froze on checks, and reinstallations failed. But the disk was detected in Terminal and Disk Utility. I replaced the SSD with an Apacer 1TB, installed Mojave from a flash drive, but was unable to update the Boot Rom using any of the previously suggested tools. I created a bootable Big Sur flash drive, took another empty USB flash drive, plugged the old original SSD into the laptop, and booted from the Big Sur flash drive. As the target disk for the installation, I chose that empty flash drive. The installation started but was very slow. At one stage, the laptop restarted, and a question mark appeared on the screen - apparently, the laptop couldn’t see the boot disk. I rebooted twice but couldn’t start the OS. In the end, I returned my new SSD, booted from it, and saw the updated Boot Rom version I needed. So, updating OS on the original SSD, if you borrow it from someone, is not strictly necessary – it’s important that it is connected during the new OS installation, regardless of which drive the OS is installed on.

Thank you all for your help!

 

[xboxbml]

Hi!

I want to share my experience updating the Boot Rom to the latest possible version 478.0.0.0.0 for my MacBookPro11,1. I was running Mojave 10.14.6 and had never upgraded to a later OS. My original SSD died - the OS stopped booting, froze on checks, and reinstallations failed. But the disk was detected in Terminal and Disk Utility. I replaced the SSD with an Apacer 1TB, installed Mojave from a flash drive, but was unable to update the Boot Rom using any of the previously suggested tools. I created a bootable Big Sur flash drive, took another empty USB flash drive, plugged the old original SSD into the laptop, and booted from the Big Sur flash drive. As the target disk for the installation, I chose that empty flash drive. The installation started but was very slow. At one stage, the laptop restarted, and a question mark appeared on the screen - apparently, the laptop couldn’t see the boot disk. I rebooted twice but couldn’t start the OS. In the end, I returned my new SSD, booted from it, and saw the updated Boot Rom version I needed. So, updating OS on the original SSD, if you borrow it from someone, is not strictly necessary – it’s important that it is connected during the new OS installation, regardless of which drive the OS is installed on.

Thank you all for your help!

That would depend on how bad the original drive was. If it was bad enough that the board wouldn't see it, I don't think this would have worked for you, but I could be wrong... Glad you got it going.. Earlier when I suggested that and asked about it, I believe you had said you didn't have access to the original drive.. I would suggest you install a better more secure browser than Safari on that machine. Mojave was a great OS and the last 32 bit app support OS.. But security would be a concern on that old an OS, browser in particular.. Glad you got it going.

 

[superman619]

Hi everybody, will Samsung 990 EVO Plus work on MBP Early 2015? main post didn't mentioned about evo plus or pro, i'm planning to use it with Sintcech NGFF m.2 nvme SSD Adapter Card
I'm also considering Crucial P310 has anyone tried this SSD?