Hi hi!
I recently found my old 2015 MacBook Pro 15" but the SSD is destroyed/burned out. I tried buying a 3rd party SSD (Samsung), but I can't update to Monterey because the system knows that the SSD isn't OEM. My question is if I buy an OEM SSD specifically for a MacBook will it work and install Monterey on my system?
Earlier Mac models
You need an SSD from the same exact model to be sure of compatibility. Technically most any SSD from 2013 to 2017 will work when using Linux, but macOS will know the SSD is not correct and may even refuse to boot the macOS installer if a certain Apple OEM SSD is installed internally. This is from personal experience. Other Apple SSDs will work with macOS, but may have unknown issues since I did not test them thoroughly. I know another SSD not made for the 2015 laptop would fail the Apple Diagnostics even though the SSD was perfectly fine.
Some of the Apple OEM SSDs are indeed used in several different model Macs including desktop systems, but it is hard to figure out which specific model Apple OEM SSDs were officially supported for each system.
I did see instructions for running the system firmware updater by itself in order to update a Mac with a third party internal SSD installed, but it requires the system firmware to be at 195.0.0.0.0+. Here is an article with instructions with the relevant section about halfway down "For those without access to an Apple SSD...."
https://tinyapps.org/blog/202110270700_monterey-third-party-ssd
FYI, when using a third party M.2 SSD internally, it seems like the Sintech SSD adapter is the most reliable & compatible option. You definitely want to be careful when updating the system firmware this way since it could brick the laptop if the upgrade fails due to the drive (internal or external) disappearing during the process.
You need an SSD from the same exact model to be sure of compatibility. Technically most any SSD from 2013 to 2017 will work when using Linux, but macOS will know the SSD is not correct and may even refuse to boot the macOS installer if a certain Apple OEM SSD is installed internally. This is from personal experience. Other Apple SSDs will work with macOS, but may have unknown issues since I did not test them thoroughly. I know another SSD not made for the 2015 laptop would fail the Apple Diagnostics even though the SSD was perfectly fine.
Some of the Apple OEM SSDs are indeed used in several different model Macs including desktop systems, but it is hard to figure out which specific model Apple OEM SSDs were officially supported for each system.
I did see instructions for running the system firmware updater by itself in order to update a Mac with a third party internal SSD installed, but it requires the system firmware to be at 195.0.0.0.0+. Here is an article with instructions with the relevant section about halfway down "For those without access to an Apple SSD...."
https://tinyapps.org/blog/202110270700_monterey-third-party-ssd
FYI, when using a third party M.2 SSD internally, it seems like the Sintech SSD adapter is the most reliable & compatible option. You definitely want to be careful when updating the system firmware this way since it could brick the laptop if the upgrade fails due to the drive (internal or external) disappearing during the process.
Oktishark wrote:
Hi hi!
I recently found my old 2015 MacBook Pro 15" but the SSD is destroyed/burned out
I tried buying a 3rd party SSD (Samsung), but I can't update to Monterey because the system knows that the SSD isn't OEM.
My question is if I buy an OEM SSD specifically for a MacBook will it work and install Monterey on my system?
Where do you get a OEM SSD ?
It has been awhile since I heard the update issue on the 2015... did you format the drive?
ref: Cannot upgrade to Monterey with non-apple SSD
Install problems with third party
replace the internal Apple SSD with an NVMe drive with adapter
https://eshop.macsales.com/blog/78613-macos-monterey-install-requirements-for-owc-aura-pro-ssds/
Cannot upgrade to Monterey with non-apple… - Apple Community
macOS Monterey is compatible with these computers - Apple Support
macOS Monterey is compatible with these computers - Apple Support
I can get the OEM SSD from a local recycling center for used electronics. I called the center and they have a few MacBooks from 2015 on hand they'd allow me to grab or pull out the SSD. I'd assume that would work, but don't want to waste my time and money going so I'm just checking in.
So I've got an adapter and everything for the 3rd party SSD and I loaded it with Catalina. I go through the software update for Monterey, but as the machine boots I'm met with an error.
Loosely quoted: "Required firmware update could not be installed. Compatible internal storage is required to update."
That's why I took to searching for just an OEM SSD.
What is the exact model of the Samsung?
It must be formatted as APFS if the Macbook Pro is running macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later.
There is aftermarket SSD information for that model here that does not appear to require an adapter:
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/macbook-pro-retina-display/2013-2014-2015
Will any OEM 2015 MacBook Pro SSD work?
