Upgrade RAM in a mid-2017 21-inch iMac without complete disassembly.

This video demonstrates how to remove the old RAM and install the new RAM in a 21-inch mid-2017 iMac computer without completely disassembling it. You will probably still want to watch the portions of the video linked below that demoes how to properly remove the monitor/screen and how to put it back on.

All videos I watched on YouTube use a method of completely disassembling the iMac in order to install new RAM. I don't see any reason to completely disassemble your Mac unless you're trying to replace a bunch of stuff at once including processor, RAM, and the Fusion drive all at once.

[TheMomentDK]

You deserve the Nobel Price for Lazy Genius! Thank You so much for taking the time to show. One tip: I unscrewed the 2 screws near the RAM that hold the motherboard - gave me a millimeter or two extra space.

[syissauer]

Upgraded ram this way easy and no problem! This is revolutionary and time saving. I wanted to upgrade ram and ssd but it would take hours just for the ram, but this saved those hours. The forehead trick looking in is actually the best way to do it. Thanks!

[ricotinez]

Wow! This gives me hope. I just watched the "other" video with the full disassembly and thought "no way." But this video makes it so much more doable. I do have good dexterity and my hands are pretty small, so I think this is in my realm of possible.

[ashleygray]

You are a genius. I forgot to put the thermal protection on the new ram and got it all put back together and then saw that step I missed and was like NOOOO then I realized where the ram was and was like no way I’m taking this thing apart. Then I found your video. Thanks so much for this!!

[bigwave]

Thanks for this video. It was enlightening, also because having to disassemble everything to be able to update the RAM banks is absurd. Out of 10 people who would like to increase the RAM, 6 try to do it themselves but the other 4 probably resell their iMac to buy another one with more RAM installed from the factory. I had a sad experience with a 2012 Macbook Pro, and the repair center told me that after 4 years you can't find spare parts because the computer becomes "vintage". Planned obsolescence? Probably.. However I understood that it is better not to update the OS too much because the updates put more strain on the hardware (like modifying the engine of your small car to do the 24 hours at Daytona). It was a game of great patience to remove and insert the RAM as you indicated in the video but in the end it worked! I renew my thanks. You are a genius!

[HomeGuitarMods]

Thank you for this! Just upgraded my 2017 Imac that had a failing hard drive. Swapped for a SSD and went from 8gb to 32 gb of ram. Thanks again for the tutorial!

[osmifer]

Great video. Very simple, simple and productive. Very grateful. 👍

[overloker]

Wow, you saved a few of my hours for disassembling this... Thank you !!!!

[buzzlightyear]

Thank you for this video! You saved me lots of time, stress and provided everything I needed to upgrade the ram in a client's iMac! (My first iMac ram upgrade).

[TheMetalMag]

Great advice with the scan. I always put the screws in place on a table to get it right.

[KingJes]

Great video man.. I was worried I would have to take it all apart as I see most people do. But this worked out. Thanks

[pigknickers]

Amazing, just did this job yesterday and took everything out to do it! (Did the nvme drive too though so I had to). The thing you call a heatsink is actually an insulator as the bottom module is so close to the other on this model. Still, very impressive! (Why do they put the logic board in upside down, total design fail?).

[DavidBania]

Ooo! I like the picture screw tracker. I'll have to think about how I can work that into doing my butchering... er... updates...

[careva]

You’re a genius, this method saved me so much times. Thanks

[glowingman]

Thank you!, thank you! This saved me a lot of time and trouble, today I installed 32gb and my mac feels new, it wasn't that difficult without having to take the machine apart

[viao]

Thank you for sharing, I followed your way to upgrade the ram on my iMac successfully.

[neilpateman]

Thank you so much. Just upgraded my 2012 iMac 21.5 to 16 gig after watching your video. Went awesome, hardest part was taking out the old ram chips. This is probably how an apple tech does it, but they don’t tell you that.

[wyatt]

Seems it would be a good idea to replace the CMOS battery while you’ve got it ‘cracked’ open(?).

[alancooper]

Ijust replaced ram on my 2019 21.5 i Mac yesterday, to be honest it wasn’t that difficult, but I couldn’t have done it this way as the ram sticks were boxed in with a cover with 4 screws over them, mac must have changed design on my 2019 model ???

[delayedgratificationwithan]

What do you have to do after installing the RAM. Do you just turn it on and everything works normal?