SSD Adapter for 2015 MacBook Air

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SSD Adapter for 2015 MacBook Air

I am working on a 2015 MacBook Air for a client. The user spilled liquid on the keyboard, and now it won't boot. They took it to a Genius, whose repair quote was high enough that they decided to buy a new MBP instead. I restored their data from a backup and they're in good shape now, but now I want to wipe the MBA's SSD to prevent any of their personal data from ending up in the wrong hands. Two days later and I still can't find an adapter that will allow me to access the drive on another Mac (I don't have another 2015 MBA to use). Do any of you know where I can find an adapter for this, so I can connect to it and wipe it? Here are the specs:

MacBook Air Core i5 - Early 2015

Model #: A1466 (EMC 2925)

256GB SSD (Samsung model #: MZ-JPV256R/0A2)

The SSD has a 16 + 12 pin configuration on one side, and an 11 + 14 pin configuration on the other.

Link for reference: http://www.memory4less.com/samsung-ssd-mz-jpv256r-0a2

I know servicing Macs is very much a moving target since they're always changing their configurations, but this model has been out for a couple of years, and I'm a bit surprised that I can't find any SATA or USB adapters for it. Any ideas how I can reliably wipe the drive without physically damaging it would be greatly appreciated.

MacBook Air

Posted on Sep 20, 2016 10:23 PM

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Answer 1

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LevelUp Comm Author

Level 1

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Sep 21, 2016 11:56 PM in response to Kappy

Unfortunately, neither of those are compatible with the SSD comes in the 2015 MBA. In mid-2013 (I think), Apple started using SSDs that are similar to standard M.2 chips, but are proprietary and have different pin-outs.

I was told about this adapter/enclosure, and so far, it's the only one I've seen: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MAU3ENPRPCI

It's on the expensive side, but if it covers as many models as the website claims, it's probably worth the investment. I'd love to find an adapter in the $20 range, but this seems like it does the job.

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

361,849 points

Sep 20, 2016 10:32 PM in response to LevelUp Comm

OWC may have an enclosure or you will find them on Amazon. Depends on exactly what SSD card is in the computer. Some Apple computers do not use the standard pin-out that Samsung and other manufacturers use for the commercial cards, rather they use ones that are proprietary. However, if the card has been damaged then it will be useless.

Standard PCIe SSD cards only have one pin-out on the card, not two, as you will see in the link you provided.

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Answer 3

dwb

Level 7

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Sep 21, 2016 7:35 AM in response to LevelUp Comm

The computer is toast right? Chances are the SSD is too. My solution is inexpensive. Take out the SSD and apply a hammer to it. Once it is in pieces no one will get any data from it. (I’m not being snarky, that’s exactly what I’ve done in my wife’s lab with two of her dead computers.)

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Answer 4

LevelUp Comm Author

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Sep 21, 2016 1:20 PM in response to dwb

I hear ya, dwb. That's my nuclear option, but I'm trying to find a way to wipe the drive without physically damaging it, in the event that my client wants to sell it. The computer is indeed toast, but including a wiped, but functional 256GB SSD could help them get maybe an additional $50-$100 for it. As quickly as Apple changes their equipment design, I'm still surprised that there isn't an adapter readily available for this kind of SSD.

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Answer 5

LevelUp Comm Author

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Sep 21, 2016 1:58 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks for your help, Kappy. I've searched OWC high and low, and they don't have an adapter that works for this SSD. And maybe I misspoke when I referred to the drive having pins on two "sides." I was referring two the two sides of the same end of the chip. I mentioned both sides because they don't have the same pins on both sides. For reference, here are photos of both sides of the drive: http://imgur.com/1pc18U1

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Answer 6

Kappy

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Sep 21, 2016 2:44 PM in response to LevelUp Comm

OK. That is typical of all of those "blade" styled SSD cards. I would look on Amazon for what you want. I have used these:

ZTC Thunder Enclosure NGFF M.2 SSD to USB 3.0 Adapter. Support UASP SuperSpeed 6Gb/s 520MB/s Black Model ZTC-EN004-BK

StarTech.com M.2 SATA External SSD Enclosure - USB 3.0 with UASP

Essentially, any such enclosure that can handle a card 80mm long. I do not agree with dwb that the SSD is toast. It could well be just fine, but you will never know without removing it. I'm not a big fan of assuming when it comes to these electronics. Test first; then Toss.

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Answer 7

dwb

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Sep 21, 2016 3:04 PM in response to Kappy

Note I said chances are. The question is whether the cost of an external reader is worth finding out. At work we've found SSDs that survived the flood and some that havent. We've also blown at least one external device discovering the SSD was toast.

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Answer 8

Kappy

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Sep 21, 2016 3:22 PM in response to dwb

"Chances are" says the probability of failure is higher than 50%. But, no suggestion as to what the probabilities are nor how those results were tested. So it's worth checking out one. The possible recovery of valuable data may outweigh the risk that the SSD is toast.

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Answer 9

LevelUp Comm Author

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Sep 22, 2016 12:03 AM in response to dwb

I know what you mean. I suspected that the SSD was dead as well, but I was able to get the computer to boot as far as the login screen (one time a few weeks after the spill, and then not again after that), so I'm confident now that the SSD is okay.

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Answer 10

LevelUp Comm Author

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Sep 22, 2016 3:16 PM in response to Kappy

Yea, an adapter was what I was originally looking for. Nearly all of the adapters I found were not compatible with the newer MBAs, but I finally found the adapter/enclosure at OWC, and despite the price, I went ahead and bought it. Thanks again for your help.

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Answer 11

dwb

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Sep 21, 2016 2:57 PM in response to dwb

.

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Answer 12

Kappy

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Sep 22, 2016 12:44 PM in response to LevelUp Comm

That's what I suggested, originally. 😀 I've got two of their enclosures for old SSDs I replaced in a couple of Mac laptops. Apple always makes these things a little bit difficult.

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