How to Upgrade the SSD in Your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air (2013–2019) - The Complete UK Guide
Apple's MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models from 2013 through to 2017 are still perfectly capable machines. The M-series chip gets all the headlines, but an older Intel MacBook with a fast SSD and plenty of RAM runs Final Cut, Logic Pro, and most everyday tasks without complaint. The problem is many of these machines shipped with storage that was considered adequate in 2015 and is downright frustrating in 2025 — 128GB or 256GB that fills up fast, or original drives that have slowed with age.
The good news: the SSDs in these MacBooks are not soldered. They use a proprietary Apple SSD connector, but they are upgradeable — and OWC makes the replacement drives specifically designed for these models. This guide covers everything you need to know to do it yourself.
Which MacBooks Can Be Upgraded?
The upgradeable models use Apple's proprietary blade SSD format. Here's the full compatible range:
- MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch and 15-inch): 2013, 2014, 2015
- MacBook Pro (Touch Bar, 13-inch and 15-inch): 2016, 2017
- MacBook Air (11-inch and 13-inch): 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017
If your Mac is in this list, you can upgrade the SSD. If you have a 2020 or newer MacBook (M1 onwards), the storage is soldered to the logic board and cannot be upgraded — your options are fast external storage instead (see our external SSD guide).
The Two OWC Upgrade Options
OWC makes two SSD lines for these MacBooks. Both use the same proprietary Apple blade connector. The difference is the performance tier.
OWC Aura Pro X2 — Maximum Performance
The OWC Aura Pro X2 is the premium upgrade. It uses NVMe over the Apple proprietary interface, delivering speeds significantly beyond what the original Apple SSD was capable of. On compatible models it reaches up to 3400 MB/s read — a genuine leap over the original 1000–1500 MB/s drives that shipped in these MacBooks.
It's available up to 8TB, which is remarkable for a laptop SSD — you can give a 2015 MacBook Pro more storage than most people have on their entire desktop setup. It comes with OWC's SSD enclosure kit so your original drive doesn't go to waste: you get everything needed to turn the old SSD into a fast portable external drive once you've swapped it out.
The Aura Pro X2 is compatible with MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models from 2013 through to 2019, and the 2013–2019 Mac mini and Mac Pro. OWC backs it with a 5-year warranty.
Who it's for: Anyone who wants to meaningfully extend the life of their 2013–2019 MacBook and get modern-level storage performance out of it. If you're keeping this machine for another 3–5 years, this is the upgrade worth making.
OWC Aura N2 — Great Value Upgrade
The OWC Aura N2 is OWC's value-tier upgrade for the same MacBook range. It uses NVME over the Apple proprietary connector, delivering speeds up to 2190 MB/s — not as fast as the Aura Pro X2, but considerably faster than a degraded original drive, and more than enough for everyday use, web browsing, document work, and light creative tasks.
Available in smaller capacities, it's the right choice if you just want to add storage without a premium outlay — particularly if your MacBook is a secondary machine or you're upgrading for a family member.
Who it's for: Budget-conscious upgrades where raw performance is less important than gaining capacity and a speed boost over a tired original drive.
What the Upgrade Actually Involves
These are not particularly difficult upgrades. The general process is:
- Back up your Mac fully — Time Machine to an external drive, or a full clone.
- Open the MacBook using the appropriate Pentalobe and Torx screwdrivers ( included with OWC upgrade kits , not with SSD-only option).
- Remove the old SSD — it's a single screw and a straight pull.
- Insert the new OWC SSD and secure the screw.
- Close the MacBook and reinstall macOS, then restore from backup.
OWC provides free step-by-step installation videos for every compatible model — before you open anything, search the OWC YouTube channel for your exact model and watch the video. The teardown complexity varies slightly between models (2013–2015 models are generally easier than 2016–2019), but none of them require specialist skills.
The whole process typically takes 30–60 minutes, including the macOS reinstall.
What Happens to the Old SSD?
The OWC Aura Pro X2 includes an Envoy Pro enclosure if purchased as a kit — a small USB-C enclosure that your original Apple SSD slides straight into. Once the upgrade is done, your old SSD becomes a fast portable external drive. It won't be as fast as the new drive, but it's perfectly good for backups, file transfers, or storing media. Nothing goes to waste.
Is It Worth Doing in 2025?
Yes — with some caveats. If your MacBook is a 2017 or newer Intel model with decent RAM (8GB minimum, 16GB ideally), an SSD upgrade gives it several more years of comfortable use. These machines run the latest macOS (Sequoia supports back to 2019 on most models), handle everyday tasks without issue, and are genuinely capable creative machines with the right storage.
If your MacBook is a 2013–2015 model, the case is slightly more nuanced. The hardware is old enough that macOS support is limited, and you may be better served by a newer machine. But if you have a specific reason to keep it — a particular software workflow, a secondary machine, or you're upgrading it for someone else — the SSD upgrade still makes a noticeable difference to day-to-day usability.
Free Shipping to the UK and Ireland
Both the OWC Aura Pro X2 and OWC Aura N2 ship free to the UK in approximately 2 working days. Orders to Ireland over £100 include free shipping too. If you're not sure which drive is compatible with your exact MacBook model, get in touch with your model year and we'll confirm before you order.