This video guide shows how to install a new 2.5-inch SSD in a MacBook Pro 2011 notebook, but is applicable to almost any Mac laptop that accepts 2.5-inch storage devices.
This video is just about installing the hardware only. If you want to learn how to clone the data from your old hard drive or SSD first using the free Super Duper app, then see this guide.
Note, before installing your SSD, it must be initialised, partitioned, and formatted. You can do this before you install the SSD in your system by connecting it to your computer with a cloning cable, then follow these steps (applicable to MacOS El Capitan or newer (version 10.11 or higher)).
How to Format your SSD
- Press command and space to open spotlight, then start typing Disk Utility, then choose the Disk Utility app.
- Once Disk Utility is open, you will see a message telling you that the SSD cannot be read by the computer.
- Click on the Initialise button that appears in the message and your SSD will be visible in Disk Utility.
- Click 'show all devices' on the top left
- Highlight your SSD (the very top option) and click the Erase button.
- Type in a name for the new partition (this where you’ll save data on the drive and it’ll be the name for your SSD).
- On the menu settings, verify that the partition is set to GUID Partition Table.
- Verify that the selected format defaults to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
- Select Erase. The drive will now be partitioned, formatted, and ready for use.