Introduction
Use this guide to replace the SSD in your Mac mini (2024).
This guide was written with a baseline M4 Mac mini. Although the SSD for the M4 Pro version is longer and in a different position, the disassembly procedure is the same.
While the Mac mini's SSD looks like a normal M.2 SSD, its lacks a storage controller. Apple integrates the storage controllers into the Apple Silicon SoC, which means that normal SSDs are incompatible. Apple's unique SSDs aren't sold by Apple and aren't currently available by a third party.
This guide is purely instructional for how to replace the SSD with another of the same type—it doesn't instruct on how to create Apple's proprietary SSDs.
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Fully shut down your Mac mini and unplug all cables from it.
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Flip over your Mac mini and place it on a clean, flat surface to avoid scratching the chassis.
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Insert a Jimmy into the gap between the bottom cover and the chassis.
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Pry up the bottom cover to create a gap.
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Keep the Jimmy inserted under the bottom cover.
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Slide the opening pick along the bottom cover until you feel it snag on a clip.
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Twist the pick to lift the clip out of its slot.
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Continue sliding and prying with the pick along the perimeter of the bottom cover to release the remaining clips.
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Lift the edge of the bottom cover opposite the power button and flip it over to expose the power button cable.
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Grip the power button cable close to the head and pull it away from its socket to disconnect it.
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Use a T5 Torx screwdriver to remove the twelve screws securing the inner plate:
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Eight 3.4 mm‑long screws
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Four 2.4 mm‑long screws
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Insert the point of a spudger into one of the clips' slots on the inner plate.
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Pry up the inner plate enough so you can grip the edge along the same side as the headphone jack.
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Pull the inner plate away from the chassis to slide it out from under the lip on the heat sink.
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Use one hand to secure the wireless module during this step.
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Use a Torx Plus 5IP screwdriver to remove the four 2.5 mm‑long screws securing the wireless module cover.
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Use one hand to secure the wireless module during this step.
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Insert the point of a spudger under one of the short edges of the wireless module press connector.
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Pry up to disconnect the wireless module.
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If you're following this guide to clean your fan, this is a good time to do so.
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Remove the four screws securing the fan:
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Two 2.4 mm‑long Torx Plus 3IP screws
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Two 7.9 mm‑long Torx Plus 5IP screws
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Lift the fan out of its recess in the chassis and flip it over to expose its wire and connector.
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Let the fan rest on the chassis and heat sink.
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Use the point of a spudger, or your fingernail, to flip up the locking tab on the fan ZIF connector.
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Insert the point of a spudger into one of the holes along the bottom edge of the SSD.
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Use the spudger to pull the SSD away from its socket, alternating sides as necessary, until its fully disconnected.
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Grip the corner of the SSD, tilt it up against the headphone jack, and lift it out of its socket.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.
Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Mac mini (2024) Answers Community for help.
