"Sadly Apple now uses a very different removable SSD from the older retina models. Here's an image of the older model custom SSD:
Here is the late 2016 function key model's custom SSD and I suspect they are still using it in the 2017 series:
Here's the IFIXIT teardown where you can see the full story: MacBook Pro 13"" Function Keys Late 2016 Teardown
At least this model has a removable SSD! The Touch Bar models use soldered SSD chips directly on the logic board and are not upgradable!
Now the rub... It took close to three years before a 3rd party (OWC) was able to make a compatible SSD for the older retina models. So while its replaceable it may not be upgradable by a 3rd party ($$$)."
"You can buy SSD’s for this model (A1708) on eBay. I just upgraded my 128 to 256. Used my time machine backup to reinstall OSX Mojave.
One weird thing… Machine wouldn’t boot without the screws on the bottom cover in…. Otherwise no Issues. Didn’t have to remove anything but the bottom cover to get it out."
I tried to upgrade my A1708 from 128 to 256 with a A1708 256 SSD I bought off of ebay. After booting in recovery mode, the disk utility wouldn’t find the drive. I reseated the drive but it still isn’t found. I reinstalled the old drive and it works. Is the new 256 drive bad?
"I just received a 512 from BeetsTech and I’m just looking to get some instructions before I install it on my 2017 with the 128gig factory SSD. Is there anything special that I need to do before replacing the drive with the new SSD? I know icloud holds everything but I wanted to know if I have to back anything up in particular and if its as easy as just plugging in the new drive, putting my MBP back together and starting it back up?
Thank you for your help, I am not computer expert but I am not an idiot either lol. Just want to cover all my steps before I start.
I’ve ordered a used 512GB one of these from eBay for my 13” 2017 (A1708). Would love to have gotten a 1TB beetstech one but they’re so expensive.
Anyway, will it just be a case of starting it up in recovery mode and reinstalling? Or is there more to it than that? I have no idea what will be on it already if anything.
or with any of the NVMe PCIe M.2 2242 or 2232 Gen3 SSD drives with the help of the HFHK N-1708A adapter.
There are some reports that only one sided 2242 / 2232 drives will fit some of the adapters though, so I would advise to ask questions before making a purchase.
Personally I use the HFHK N-1708A adapter with the Sabrent Rocket NVMe PCIe M.2 2242 SSD which is double sided but it fits and works well."
