Hi we have a MacBook Air that needs a bigger flash drive.
It has a 1.1 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i5 processor.
I have the serial number if needed.
It has 128 GB drive but she needs to double it.
Is this possible? And, if so, at what approximate cost?
Thanks
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.3
A flash drive is generally an external device you plug into a USB port on the Mac. You can plug whatever size flash drive to a port on the Mac you want.
If you are referring to the internal SSD drive, it will depend on the specific model / year whether it can be replaced or not.
Only the Late 2010, Mid 2011, Mid 2012 and Mid 2013 to mid 2017 MacBook Airs have replaceable SSD internal drives.
Please provide the exact model year of your MacBook Air from the Apple Menu ➜ About this Mac section.
Apple does not do SSD replacements directly as such cost will depend on the type of drive, storage size and whatever the service provider you find that can do it for you charges for it.
A flash drive is generally an external device you plug into a USB port on the Mac. You can plug whatever size flash drive to a port on the Mac you want.
If you are referring to the internal SSD drive, it will depend on the specific model / year whether it can be replaced or not.
Only the Late 2010, Mid 2011, Mid 2012 and Mid 2013 to mid 2017 MacBook Airs have replaceable SSD internal drives.
Please provide the exact model year of your MacBook Air from the Apple Menu ➜ About this Mac section.
Apple does not do SSD replacements directly as such cost will depend on the type of drive, storage size and whatever the service provider you find that can do it for you charges for it.
You just need to make sure that macOS 10.13+ has previously been installed so the system firmware is able to communicate with the third party NVMe SSD. In fact, I would make sure to install macOS 13.x Ventura to this laptop (to either an internal or external drive) so that the system firmware is updated to one current with Ventura . I know that the macOS 12.x Monterey installer will not work with a third party internal SSD installed until after the system firmware has been updated by a previous installation of Monterey while the original Apple OEM SSD is installed internally (not sure if Ventura installer has same issue).
If you had macOS 13.x installed at some point on this laptop, then you should have no problems reinstalling macOS to the new OWC internal SSD assuming you have a Pentalobe 5 and T-5 Torx drivers to perform the installation.
You should always have frequent & regular backups.
As for OS updates, there are just a couple cases where you must meet the minimum system requirements when using an internal third party NVMe SSD:
So if you currently have (or have had) macOS 13.x installed on this laptop at some time in the past, then you should have no issues installing macOS with the third party SSD installed internally. "Installed" is the key word since there are ways of putting macOS onto a computer without actually using the installer.
It would really help to know what OS is currently installed (or what the highest version of macOS that was ever installed).
If macOS 12.x has never been installed on this laptop and the internal SSD does not have sufficient free space, then just install macOS 12.x to an external drive while the original Apple OEM SSD is still installed internally....this will allow the macOS 12.x installer to update the system firmware since the installer utilizes the internal SSD for the system firmware update (just a very small amount of space is needed). After the macOS 12.x installer has been installed, the system firmware will have been updated. Now you can install the OWC SSD internally, and successfully install macOS 12.x once more, but this time to the internal OWC SSD.
I guess if you have an OWC Envoy Enclosure that is compatible with the new OWC SSD, then you could just install macOS 12.x to the OWC SSD while it is connected externally (the original Apple OEM SSD must be installed internally at this point). Afterwards, you should be able to swap SSDs and boot the OWC internally just fine. Just make sure the OWC Envoy Enclosure you have is actually compatible with the OWC NVMe SSD....older models of the enclosure were not compatible with the OWC SSD and would damage both the enclosure & the OWC SSD.
If macOS 12.x was/is installed, then just install the new OWC SSD and reinstall macOS 12.x since the system firmware should have been updated with the previous install.
THANKS Phil ... I am, indeed referring to the internal drive. The computer is .... a 13" macbook air (2017) ... 1.8ghz intel core i5 processor ... 8gb 1600 MHz DDR3 .... I have the serial number but am not sure if it's wise to share it here ... hope you can help??? Thanks again.
Thanks again - is this something that one can do oneself? Does it slot in or solder in? Found model details on bottom of Mac lest that helps some more. Thanks again for your help!!!!
[Edited by Moderator]
Its a simply procedure. It slots in, no soldering required.
You will need to disassemble the Mac, to get access to it from the bottom.
Watch the videos at macsales.com. I cannot post them here due to Apple Policy.
It can however void your warranty or Apple Care+ if you still have any left.
Once the drive is installed, you will need to re-install the macOS operating system and all your apps. On a 2017 Macbok Air it just a matter of holding down the option+r keys when turning on the Mac.
Thanks guys so even though, I assume, one needs to do a backup before installing the new drive you STILL need to update the iOS??? I’m a bit puzzled as I’d assumed you are starting from scratch when you reinstall from backup etc ??
Hi, thanks I have tried that update but I think the 125GB disk is so full that it won't allow it. Is it not possible to install the new drive then install the files/OS etc from backup and then upgrade the OS?
No need for the serial number.
A 2017 MacBook Air can have its internal drive replaced.
I recommend OWC / Mac Sales drives. Best quality and customer support out there.
[Edited by Moderator]
Macbook Air Flash Drive Upgrade - is it possible?
