MacBook Pro Hard Drive Replacement
The MacBook Pro is a well-loved computer, and for a good reason. Apple fans find them reliable workhorses, and they’re built to last. Whether you use your laptop for work, school, or play, hard drive failure can be catastrophic. If you’re looking to give your old MacBook Pro a new life or your current hard drive has already failed, CPR is here to help. Follow our easy-to-use instruction guide to perform a MacBook Pro hard drive replacement!
Getting Started: The Basics of MacBook Pro Hard Drives
Before you get started, it’s essential to understand the differences in Apple’s hard drives over the years. Older MacBook Pro models have a traditional hard drive, also known as an HDD. They use physical force to write and preserve your data and, as a result, have to utilize moving parts. This can be a problem because eventually, those moving pieces tend to fail.
If you have one of these old hard drives, it can be useful to update it to a solid state drive (SSD). Since this storage option doesn’t move, it’s typically more reliable and faster than the traditional HDD.
Depending on the age, model, and whether your MacBook Pro is a Unibody, it can be easy, hard, or downright impossible to replace your hard drive at home. While Apple products are notoriously known for being challenging to repair, hard drive replacements on old MacBook Pro’s are relatively straightforward. If you’re not sure that you have the technical skills to go the DIY route, consider reaching out to a professional instead.
Signs You Should Replace Your MacBook Pro’s Hard Drive
If you’re noticing these issues, it could be a sign that hard drive failure is imminent:
- You hear grinding or whirring noises from the hard drive
- Applications or programs often crash or move extremely slowly
- Files and folders won’t open or disappear
- Disk Utility displays an error message
- Your MacBook frequently crashes or freezes
If your MacBook Pro is operating more slowly than usual, then you may benefit from upgrading to a newer, faster drive as well.
How Much Does MacBook Pro Hard Drive Replacement Cost?
The total cost of your repair will depend on the type of new hard drive you want and the type of MacBook Pro you have. New MacBooks from around 2016 or later don’t accept the same upgrades, so it’s best to seek professional assistance. You can go through an Apple Store, certified professional, or attempt the repair yourself. Depending on the labor involved and the capacity of the hard drive you plan to upgrade to, you can expect to pay anywhere from about $150-500.
MacBook Pro Hard Drive Replacement: A Step-By-Step Guide
If you have an older model and have decided to handle your replacement, be diligent in preparation. Ensure that your MacBook Pro model is compatible with the drive that you’ve chosen. You’ll need the following parts and tools to complete your repair on an older MacBook Pro:
- New, compatible HDD or SSD drive
- Small Phillips screwdriver
- Spudger
- Depending on the model, you may also need a T6 Torx screwdriver and a Tri-point screwdriver
Step 1: Prepare Your New Hard Drive
Connect your new hard drive to your computer and launch Disk Utility. To prepare the drive, you’ll need to select Erase to format it in preparation for your data transfer. You’ll be prompted to choose a format. We recommend selecting “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” for older MacBooks.
Next, install macOS. You’ll be prompted whether or not you want to move over data from a Time Machine backup. If you don’t use Time Machine, you can also clone your old hard drive to your new drive using another program. This process can take a few hours, so if you’re in a rush, you can also migrate your data and reinstall applications from another external hard drive after completing your replacement.
Step 2: Power Off Your MacBook Pro
Now, you’re ready to get started replacing your hard drive. Turn off your MacBook Pro, unplug it, and flip it over to remove the bottom case. There are ten screws total that you’ll need to remove. Note that there can be different types and lengths of screws used, so keep track of which one goes where.
Slide your fingers between the lower case and the black seam of your laptop, and gently remove it. Depending on your MacBook model, you may need to pop off clips that hold the lower case onto the upper case.
Step 3: Battery
While it’s not completely necessary to remove the battery to replace your hard drive, it is highly recommended. Doing so ensures that you won’t accidentally short your device and damage your logic board. Your model of MacBook Pro may use screws to secure the battery to the upper case. Use a spudger to pry the battery connector out of its socket and away from the logic board.
Step 4: Your Existing Hard Drive
Locate the two Phillips screws that hold your hard drive into the upper case on the hard drive bracket. Loosen them until you can lift the black bracket away from the drive. Next, pull on the plastic tab of your hard drive to pull it out of place.
Be mindful of the SATA ribbon, which connects to the bracket. Gently remove it straight out from the hard drive, leaving the bracket attached to your upper case.
Step 5: Hard Drive Screws
Remove the four screws from the sides of your old hard drive. Depending on the drive, these may be Phillips or Torx screws. If you’d like, you can remove the plastic tab from your existing drive and apply it to your new SSD or hard drive.
To complete your replacement, follow these steps in reverse order. Start by transferring these old screws to your new drive.
Once you reboot your computer, you can expect programs to work faster than with your old drive.
To guarantee that your MacBook Pro hard drive replacement is done right the first time, consider reaching out to the experts at CPR Cell Phone Repair. Our professionally trained technicians are well-versed in common MacBook repairs, so you can rest assured that you won’t have to wait weeks for your hard drive or SSD upgrade. Plus, we offer free estimates and limited lifetime warranties on all of our repairs. Find a store near you to get started. Our friendly technicians will have your MacBook Pro running like new!
