Upgrading M4 Mac mini Internal SSD, step by step

How to upgrade the internal storage SSD of an M4 Base Model SSD from 256gb to 2TB for only $300!

I didnt believe it when I heard it, but with the new M4 Mac mini, you can disassemble it yourself and replace the SSD yourself and you can save yourself like $500 by doing it! This video is a step-by-step guide to DIYing that yourself.

0:00 intro
0:48 Backup your Mac mini
1:20 download m4 mac mini firmware
1:50 Opening The M4 Mac mini
4:02 Install SSD and put the mini back together
4:58 Flash M4 Mac Mini Firmware with DFU Mode
6:19 Restore M4 Mac mini from Backup
6:53 Speed Testing the new Drive

[atgred]

Remember, MIDDLE thunderbolt port. The one with the symbol right on top.

[sifu]

I bought a 1Tb ssd hard drive on Aliexpress, followed the disassembly instructions and went back to DFU mode and here I am now the owner of a 16Gb 1Tb mac mini M4 hard drive. It's very easy to change the hard disk, but you MUST be careful with the boot swich cable and the fan flex cable. I did as indicated in the video and I didn't disconnect any cable and that's the best way to do it I think. Thank you for your help SPACE DESIGN WAREHOUSE

[DennisPellanda]

As a note for anyone attempting this, it should be possible to restore the Mac mini using the already downloaded image by shift-clicking (or using a similar key combination) the "Restore Mac" button. This allows you to avoid downloading the entire software again, which can save a lot of time, especially on slower internet connections.

[JohnPaulMusicUK]

The Mac mini orange blink is actually SOS in code. Cute. Save Our Souls.

[Thatsmantas]

The price is actually quite reasonable for this setup. On a Mac Mini with the M4 Pro, you can achieve write speeds of 6397.8 MB/s and read speeds of 5642.7 MB/s using an Acasis Thunderbolt 5 enclosure paired with a Samsung 990 Pro 4TB SSD—all for under $600. It’s not cheap, but considering Apple charges $1, 200 for 4TB, it’s a great deal.

[SPACEDESIGNWAREHOUSE]

When in DFU mode, to manually select a firmware of your choice (the one you downloaded previously from the ipsw website) HOLD OPTION while clicking restore. Otherwise if you just click restore, it will download the newest firmware automatically and you don’t need the step of downloading it yourself.

[tetzel]

I ran into an error with my firmware restore while connected to my MBP M4. I repeatedly got a "Your Mac could not be restored. Error 9". I remembered that my MBP had a software update that I had not applied yet, so I thought to apply the update and retry. Well, that did the trick. The DFU mode worked like a charm, no more error 9, and applied the firmware all the way through. Just wanted to share if someone else encounters an error during the DFU mode process.

[byroneiermann]

After much research I need to inform anyone who purchases the SSD that you can only load the new firmware with attaching to a Silicon Mac, most likely a Mac released 2021 or later. I now find myself with a disable Mac Mini M4 until I source someone who can lend me a Silicon Mac to use. Installing the old SSD still needs the Firmware updated.

[spencersolberg]

Does it need to be a thunderbolt cable to do the DFU restore or will any USB C data cable work?

[DanDulac]

Great video! I can verify that DFU worked fine using my Intel-based 13-inch 2020 MacBook Pro running Sequoia. Awesome upgrade!!

[tetzel]

Solid video! Thank you so much for showing that this is not only possible to upgrade but easy to do as well. Definitely going to snag one of these 2TB.

[fredsmith]

Upgraded this weekend with the 2TB kit. All went well and works great. Only thing to remember is to use better screw drivers than the ones provided as the are no good.

[SubongLee]

Thank u! Just finished installation of 2TB SSD & system restoration. Works well.

[GregLanz]

Followed these instructions and everything went easier than expected, thanks! My download after the DPU took a bit longer but I need faster Internet. Otherwise once I got the first bit of the bottom cover to start coming loose everything was super simple

[JimmyPrehn]

Best video I’ve seen on this topic/explanation yet!! Thanks for sharing.

[pixelplay]

If only the apple had given us a normal m.2 nvme slot just like a normal company

[ianbrendel]

Did this yesterday, the drive install is cake and really anyone can do it. Kit didn't come with a 8 star bit so had to use my own to unscrew the drive itself. Word of warning, using the Windows "Apple Devices" app to restore the DFU would not work no matter what I did. I tried multiple laptops with Windows 11 and all the cables I had, (C to C, USB-A to C, different C to C). The DFU restore would fail with a 4013 error each time. Eventually I just used an older Macbook Pro running 15.2 with OpenCore and it was a flawless experience. Great tutorial! Saved me a lot of cash.

[fabiobass]

I’m liking this channel more and more!

[stevenqirkle]

Using the suction cup is a fantastic idea. The kit I bought didn't come with one, and I struggled for a minute to get the cover off before going to dig up a suction cup from an old Switch Joy-Con repair kit. The suction cup makes it _so_ much easier, and also lessens the risk of scratching/damaging the cover.
Also - for what it's worth, I also didn't need to use the firmware from that link you posted. The DFU tool just went and downloaded it on demand. Definitely preferable to using firmware from some sketchy 3rd party site... although in the grand scheme it's not that much sketchier than installing an NVMe drive from Aliexpress, I suppose. 🤣

[GenX_in_the_wild]

This puts you out of any warranty right?