Mac Mini: replace hard drive - how it works

If you want to upgrade your Mac Mini with an SSD, you have to replace the hard drive. In this guide, we will show you how this works.

Preparing to replace the Mac Mini hard drive

1. Backup: First of all you should make a backup of your system. This can be done either with Time Machine or other software.
2. Pad: To prevent your Mac Mini from being scratched, place it on some kitchen paper or a towel.
3. Tools: You need a Torx T8 and a Torx T6 screwdriver. A 2 mm Allen key also makes sense, but can also be improvised. A few toothpicks should also be found in the house.

Step 1: Remove the old hard drive from the Mac Mini

Note: Perform every step with the greatest care. Using a screwdriver, the smallest scratches can cause great damage. Removed screws should be stored in an orderly manner. All operations are at your own risk.

1. First, open the casing of your Mac Mini. To do this, turn the black cover counterclockwise with light pressure.
2. You can now see the fan in the middle. To the right is the elongated RAM. Gently push the two metal pins outwards so that you can remove the RAM.
3. Now remove all three black screws on the fan with the Torx T6 and lift it up slightly. Attention: The fan is still connected to a cable at the top.
4. To disconnect the cable, you have to carefully pry the plug from the bottom up. You can do this either with your fingernail or with a credit card. Metal objects should never be used here.
5. Now remove the small screw at the bottom left of the housing, right next to the place where the fan was previously. Use the Torx T6 again for this. Then you can remove the left black plastic cover.
6. With the Torx T8, the two silver screws on the metal grille are now removed. The three screws with the Allen key must be removed on the left and right of the grille and at the bottom of the housing. If necessary, you can also use the T8 very carefully.
7. Pull the grille slightly towards you and upwards. The grille is also connected to a cable on the left side. The connection can be solved quite well with a toothpick.
8. The black elongated component is now exposed. This is the hard drive. At the bottom left and right you have to pry up the two connections with a toothpick.
9. Then remove the last large screw with the Torx T6 at the bottom. The mainboard is now completely solved.
10. At the bottom of the mainboard you will find two holes. Insert the Allen key and the Torx T6 or two toothpicks here and carefully pull the mainboard down.
11. The mainboard now looks out slightly at the bottom of the outer case. Here you can pull the mainboard down again. The hard disk can then be removed easily.

Step 2: replace Mac Mini hard drive

Note: When tightening, make sure that the screws are only tightened with slight pressure. The screws should not and must not be tightened too tightly.

1. Once you have the old hard drive in your hand, you can carefully pull off the black film. The black plastic connector then comes off as if by itself.
2. On the back of the hard drive you will find two screws for anchoring. These are removed with the Torx T8.
3. Now take the new hard drive at hand, plug in the connector, stick the film back on and screw the anchors back in.
4. Reinsert the new hard drive into the housing until it clicks into place. Also push the mainboard completely back into the case.
5. Now press the two contacts of the hard disk back onto the mainboard with slight pressure. The toothpicks are very suitable for this.
6. Take the metal grille with the WLAN module in hand and restore the connection between the cable and the mainboard. Then the grille is reinserted and screwed tight. Use the two T8 screws and the three Allen screws for this. The large screw for attaching the mainboard can also be reattached at the bottom.
7. Now put the black plastic cover back in and screw it down. The fan is inserted into the upper hole.
8. Take the fan at hand and plug the cable back into the mainboard. Then the remaining screws can be reattached.
9. Finally insert the RAM and close the lid of the Mac Mini. The new hard drive is now installed.

Step 3: set up a new hard drive in the Mac Mini

When you first start up, your Mac Mini will take a little longer than usual. This is because the Mac looks for a bootable disk every time it starts up. With a small setting, the problem is solved again.

1. Open the "System Settings" and select the category "Startup Volume".
2. Select the new hard disk here and click on the "Restart" button.
3. Then your Mac Mini starts as usual. With a newly installed SSD, of course, it starts much faster than before.