Apple 1tb Hard Drive Replacement

'Tapered Edge' Aluminum iMac Q&A

SATA 6.0 Gb/s interface for Intel Macs / Solid State Drive / 2.5' wide x 7mm tall / 1050 GB Unformatted. Part #: IF107-132-6. Repair your Mac yourself. IFixit sells parts and upgrades for your MacBook Air or MacBook Pro with free Fixit Guides. It can be difficult to get the hard drive seated correctly such that the antenna plate fits in place correctly. If the screw holes don't line up with those on the hard drive, make sure that the two pins that are in the back of the hard drive are properly seated in the holes at the back of the case, above the housing for the second hard drive.

Update Published September 10, 2020

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How do you upgrade the hard drive or SSD in the 'Tapered Edge' Aluminum iMac models? What type of storage do they support? Is it even possible to upgrade the storage?

This Q&A covers the 'Late 2012,' 'Early 2013,' 'Late 2013,' 'Mid-2014,' 'Late 2014,' 'Mid-2015,' 'Late 2015,' 'Mid-2017', '2019' and '2020' Tapered Edge Aluminum iMac models (model numbers A1418, A1419, A2115 and A2116).

EveryMac.com also provides hard drive upgrade instructions for earlier Aluminum iMac models shipped from 2007 to 2012 -- both the 20-Inch and 24-Inch Aluminum iMac (model numbers A1224 and A1225) and 21.5-Inch and 27-Inch Aluminum iMac (model numbers A1311 and A1312).

Officially, Apple does not consider the hard drive and/or SSD module in any of the 'Tapered Edge' Aluminum iMac models to be upgradable. The RAM in the 27-Inch models is designed to be upgraded easily, but even upgrading the RAM is an arduous process for the 21.5-Inch models in the 'Late 2012,' 'Early 2013,' 'Late 2013,' 'Mid-2017' and '2019' lines and it is altogether impossible to upgrade the RAM in the 21.5-Inch 'Mid-2014' and 'Late 2015' iMac models.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (21.5' & 27' Tapered Edge iMac, Left & Right, Respectively)

Consequently, EveryMac.com cannot recommend that one upgrade the internal storage themselves, as doing so is difficult and time consuming.

However, for highly skilled individuals, it is quite possible to upgrade the storage, but the available upgrade options vary depending on the system.

Identification Help

Because the storage upgrade options vary, it is particularly important to be able to identify the 'Tapered Edge' iMac models precisely.

The 'Late 2012' through 'Mid-2017' 'Tapered Edge' iMac models all share the A1418 and A1419Model Numbers whereas the '2019' and '2020' iMac models use newer A2116 and A2115 model numbers. Accordingly, more precise identifiers are needed.

For the purposes of upgrading the storage, these models can be sufficiently identified by the Model Identifier in software and externally by EMC Number.

To locate the model identifier in software, select 'About This Mac' under the Apple Menu on your computer, click the 'More Info..' button, and finally click the 'System Report' button.

The EMC number is inconveniently located on the bottom of the 'foot' supporting the iMac, but EveryMac.com nevertheless has hand documented the EMC numbers as they are a unique external identifier.

More details about specific identifiers are provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.

These relevant identifiers can be particularly useful for these iMac models:

EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- also can identify these models by their Serial Numbers.

Storage Details

All of these systems released prior to the 'Mid-2017' models have a 6 Gb/s Serial ATA (Revision 3.0) connector that is occupied by a hard drive in the default configurations -- a 2.5' hard drive in 21.5-Inch models and a 3.5' hard drive in 27-Inch models. An SSD can be installed in this hard drive space and some systems support a smaller PCIe-based 'blade' SSD, as well.

Specifically, as first discovered via teardowns from iFixitandothers, if the 21.5-Inch 'Late 2012' or 'Early 2013' iMac models were configured with an SSD or a 'Fusion Drive' at the time of purchase, the SSD module is connected via a dedicated PCIe connector and another SSD can be installed in its place. Unfortunately, if the system only was configured with a hard drive, the needed connector is not present on the motherboard and there is not a way to add a PCIe-based 'blade' SSD afterwards.

Apple 1tb Fusion Drive

Asfirstdetermined by site sponsor Other World Computing, the 21.5-Inch 'Late 2013' iMac models do have the connector for a PCIe-based 'blade' but subsequent 21.5-Inch models -- like the entry-level iMac 'Core i5' 1.4 21.5-Inch (Mid-2014) and the 21.5-Inch 'Late 2015' models -- do not have the connector for a PCIe-based 'blade' SSD if one is not installed at the time of initial system purchase.

By contrast, the 27-Inch 'Late 2012' and 'Late 2013' as well as the 'Late 2014' and 'Mid-2015' Retina/5K iMac models all have this connector on the motherboard even if the system only is configured with a hard drive at the time of purchase, so it is possible to add a PCIe-based 'blade' SSD to these models after the initial system purchase.

For the 27-Inch 'Late 2015' Retina/5K iMac models, OWC was first to report that these models have a second PCIe connector (PCIe 2.0 x4 NVMexpress interface) that accommodates the SSD if the system is configured with a 'Fusion Drive' by default. A reader kindly shared that the connector is present as well even if the system only is configured with a hard drive at the time of initial system purchase. Consequently, it is possible to add a compatible 'blade' SSD to these models later, too.

For the 21.5-Inch and 27-Inch 'Mid-2017' and '2019' iMac models, both support a 7 mm tall SATA III (6 Gb/s) hard drive for the primary storage, but the 21.5-Inch models use a 2.5' hard drive and the physically larger 27-Inch models use a 3.5' hard drive. All of these 27-Inch models are equipped by default with a 'Fusion Drive' and the corresponding small 'blade' SSD via a PCIe connector. As first noted by OWC, if the 21.5-Inch models are not equipped with a 'Fusion Drive' at the time of system purchase, this secondary storage PCIe connector is not present.

For the 27-Inch '2020' iMac models, OWC determined that the SSD in these models, by default, is soldered onboard and not upgradeable. However, a subsequent OWC teardown was able to confirm earlier speculation that if the higher-end iMac 'Core i7' 3.8 (5K, 2020) (MXWV2LL/A) is equipped with the 4 TB or 8 TB SSD option at the time of purchase (but not smaller SSDs), half of the storage is onboard and the other half is mounted on an expansion board. Accordingly, future storage upgrades could be possible for high-end custom configured models, just needlessly complicated. Accessing the storage effectively requires you to pry off the display and disassemble the computer.

These differences are perhaps best visualized with a chart:

* If equipped with an SSD or a 'Fusion Drive' at the initial point of purchase, these models will have a connector present for a PCIe-based 'blade' SSD. If they are not equipped with an SSD or a 'Fusion Drive' when purchased new, the connector is not present, and secondary storage cannot be added later.

1tb Hard Drive Internal

† By default, the SSD storage is onboard and cannot be upgraded. If the higher-end iMac 'Core i7' 3.8 (5K, 2020) (MXWV2LL/A) is equipped with the 4 TB or 8 TB SSD option at the time of purchase (but not smaller SSDs), the flash module is mounted on an expansion board with a connector to the logic board.

'Tapered Edge' iMac Storage Installation Instructions

To reiterate, Apple does not support individuals upgrading the hard drive or SSD in these models.

However, Other World Computing provides helpful videos for highly technical individuals to upgrade the hard drive and SSD alike in applicable models:

21.5-Inch 'Late 2012' Through 'Late 2015' iMac Hard Drive Upgrade Video

21.5-Inch 'Late 2012,' 'Early 2013' & 'Late 2013' iMac SSD Upgrade Video

21.5-Inch 'Mid-2017' iMac Hard Drive Upgrade Video

External Hard Drives 1tb

Remember that if a blade SSD was not installed in the 21.5-Inch models at the time of purchase, it will not have the needed connector to install a blade SSD. It still is quite possible to swap out the hard drive and replace it with an SSD of equivalent physical size, though.

27-Inch 'Late 2012' Through '2019' iMac Hard Drive Upgrade Video

27-Inch 'Late 2012' iMac SSD Upgrade Video

27-Inch 'Late 2013' iMac SSD Upgrade Video

27-Inch 'Late 2014 & Mid-2015' iMac SSD Upgrade Video

27-Inch '2019' iMac SSD Upgrade Video

As noted above, the '2020' iMac models generally have soldered storage that cannot be upgraded, but should a video be produced for higher-end custom configured models, this Q&A can be updated.

Successfully upgraded the storage in any of the 'Tapered Edge' Aluminum iMac models? Please share the results of your efforts. Thank you.

iMac Storage Purchase & Professional Installation Options

There are no shortage of places to buy a hard drive compatible with these iMac models, but compatible 'blade' SSDs are a bit harder to locate. Even for a hard drive, though; it always is best to buy from a trusted company with Mac knowledge for the most trouble-free experience.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells a convenient hard drive upgrade kit (including all needed tools) for these 27' iMac models and hard drives for all others.

In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells SSDs that are compatible with many of these iMac models with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.

Best 1tb Hard Drive

In Australia, site sponsors Macfixit and Upgradeable sell iMac compatible hard drives and SSDs with fast shipping, a money-back guarantee and more.

In New Zealand, site sponsor Upgradeable New Zealand sells iMac hard drives and SSDs with fast delivery to all corners of the country, precise compatibility, a lifetime warranty, and a money-back guarantee.

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EveryMac.com is provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the author thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Use of any content or images without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.

Apple on Friday quietly extended its iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program coverage back two years to include models sold from October 2009, effectively adding almost two years to the initiative which previously included machines sold between May and June of 2011.

News of the extension, first reported by MacRumors, was posted to Apple's Support webpage sometime on Friday, which noted email notifications were being sent to affected iMac owners who took the time to register their products. Users can also check the program's webpage to confirm eligibility.

Apple 1tb Hard Drive Replacement Software

iMac owners who were affected by the Seagate-specific failure can have their hard drives replaced for free from Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or those who have already paid for repair or replacement can contact Apple for a possible refund.

First initiated in July 2011, the recall originally ran through July 23, 2012 and covered iMacs sold between May 2011 and July 2011. The program was subsequently extended for an additional year. With Friday's announcement, the replacement plan has been broadened again, and now covers affected iMacs for three years after the first retail sale of the unit or until April 12, 2013, whichever provides longer coverage.

Seagate's storage components were at the center of another fiasco in 2007, when Apple acknowledged that a number of MacBook and MacBook Pros shipped with faulty hard drives. An apparent manufacturing flaw caused the drive head of some units to permanently fail, scratching the disk patter and causing permanent data loss.

More details about specific identifiers are provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.

These relevant identifiers can be particularly useful for these iMac models:

EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- also can identify these models by their Serial Numbers.

Storage Details

All of these systems released prior to the 'Mid-2017' models have a 6 Gb/s Serial ATA (Revision 3.0) connector that is occupied by a hard drive in the default configurations -- a 2.5' hard drive in 21.5-Inch models and a 3.5' hard drive in 27-Inch models. An SSD can be installed in this hard drive space and some systems support a smaller PCIe-based 'blade' SSD, as well.

Specifically, as first discovered via teardowns from iFixitandothers, if the 21.5-Inch 'Late 2012' or 'Early 2013' iMac models were configured with an SSD or a 'Fusion Drive' at the time of purchase, the SSD module is connected via a dedicated PCIe connector and another SSD can be installed in its place. Unfortunately, if the system only was configured with a hard drive, the needed connector is not present on the motherboard and there is not a way to add a PCIe-based 'blade' SSD afterwards.

Apple 1tb Fusion Drive

Asfirstdetermined by site sponsor Other World Computing, the 21.5-Inch 'Late 2013' iMac models do have the connector for a PCIe-based 'blade' but subsequent 21.5-Inch models -- like the entry-level iMac 'Core i5' 1.4 21.5-Inch (Mid-2014) and the 21.5-Inch 'Late 2015' models -- do not have the connector for a PCIe-based 'blade' SSD if one is not installed at the time of initial system purchase.

By contrast, the 27-Inch 'Late 2012' and 'Late 2013' as well as the 'Late 2014' and 'Mid-2015' Retina/5K iMac models all have this connector on the motherboard even if the system only is configured with a hard drive at the time of purchase, so it is possible to add a PCIe-based 'blade' SSD to these models after the initial system purchase.

For the 27-Inch 'Late 2015' Retina/5K iMac models, OWC was first to report that these models have a second PCIe connector (PCIe 2.0 x4 NVMexpress interface) that accommodates the SSD if the system is configured with a 'Fusion Drive' by default. A reader kindly shared that the connector is present as well even if the system only is configured with a hard drive at the time of initial system purchase. Consequently, it is possible to add a compatible 'blade' SSD to these models later, too.

For the 21.5-Inch and 27-Inch 'Mid-2017' and '2019' iMac models, both support a 7 mm tall SATA III (6 Gb/s) hard drive for the primary storage, but the 21.5-Inch models use a 2.5' hard drive and the physically larger 27-Inch models use a 3.5' hard drive. All of these 27-Inch models are equipped by default with a 'Fusion Drive' and the corresponding small 'blade' SSD via a PCIe connector. As first noted by OWC, if the 21.5-Inch models are not equipped with a 'Fusion Drive' at the time of system purchase, this secondary storage PCIe connector is not present.

For the 27-Inch '2020' iMac models, OWC determined that the SSD in these models, by default, is soldered onboard and not upgradeable. However, a subsequent OWC teardown was able to confirm earlier speculation that if the higher-end iMac 'Core i7' 3.8 (5K, 2020) (MXWV2LL/A) is equipped with the 4 TB or 8 TB SSD option at the time of purchase (but not smaller SSDs), half of the storage is onboard and the other half is mounted on an expansion board. Accordingly, future storage upgrades could be possible for high-end custom configured models, just needlessly complicated. Accessing the storage effectively requires you to pry off the display and disassemble the computer.

These differences are perhaps best visualized with a chart:

* If equipped with an SSD or a 'Fusion Drive' at the initial point of purchase, these models will have a connector present for a PCIe-based 'blade' SSD. If they are not equipped with an SSD or a 'Fusion Drive' when purchased new, the connector is not present, and secondary storage cannot be added later.

1tb Hard Drive Internal

† By default, the SSD storage is onboard and cannot be upgraded. If the higher-end iMac 'Core i7' 3.8 (5K, 2020) (MXWV2LL/A) is equipped with the 4 TB or 8 TB SSD option at the time of purchase (but not smaller SSDs), the flash module is mounted on an expansion board with a connector to the logic board.

'Tapered Edge' iMac Storage Installation Instructions

To reiterate, Apple does not support individuals upgrading the hard drive or SSD in these models.

However, Other World Computing provides helpful videos for highly technical individuals to upgrade the hard drive and SSD alike in applicable models:

21.5-Inch 'Late 2012' Through 'Late 2015' iMac Hard Drive Upgrade Video

21.5-Inch 'Late 2012,' 'Early 2013' & 'Late 2013' iMac SSD Upgrade Video

21.5-Inch 'Mid-2017' iMac Hard Drive Upgrade Video

External Hard Drives 1tb

Remember that if a blade SSD was not installed in the 21.5-Inch models at the time of purchase, it will not have the needed connector to install a blade SSD. It still is quite possible to swap out the hard drive and replace it with an SSD of equivalent physical size, though.

27-Inch 'Late 2012' Through '2019' iMac Hard Drive Upgrade Video

27-Inch 'Late 2012' iMac SSD Upgrade Video

27-Inch 'Late 2013' iMac SSD Upgrade Video

27-Inch 'Late 2014 & Mid-2015' iMac SSD Upgrade Video

27-Inch '2019' iMac SSD Upgrade Video

As noted above, the '2020' iMac models generally have soldered storage that cannot be upgraded, but should a video be produced for higher-end custom configured models, this Q&A can be updated.

Successfully upgraded the storage in any of the 'Tapered Edge' Aluminum iMac models? Please share the results of your efforts. Thank you.

iMac Storage Purchase & Professional Installation Options

There are no shortage of places to buy a hard drive compatible with these iMac models, but compatible 'blade' SSDs are a bit harder to locate. Even for a hard drive, though; it always is best to buy from a trusted company with Mac knowledge for the most trouble-free experience.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells a convenient hard drive upgrade kit (including all needed tools) for these 27' iMac models and hard drives for all others.

In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells SSDs that are compatible with many of these iMac models with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.

Best 1tb Hard Drive

In Australia, site sponsors Macfixit and Upgradeable sell iMac compatible hard drives and SSDs with fast shipping, a money-back guarantee and more.

In New Zealand, site sponsor Upgradeable New Zealand sells iMac hard drives and SSDs with fast delivery to all corners of the country, precise compatibility, a lifetime warranty, and a money-back guarantee.

Permalink | E-mail a Friend | Bookmark & Share | Report an Error/Typo

Suggest a New Q&A | Sign Up for Bimonthly Site Update Notices

<< 'Tapered Edge' Aluminum iMac Q&A (Main) | All Mac Q&As

EveryMac.com is provided 'as is' without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the author thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Use of any content or images without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.

Apple on Friday quietly extended its iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program coverage back two years to include models sold from October 2009, effectively adding almost two years to the initiative which previously included machines sold between May and June of 2011.

News of the extension, first reported by MacRumors, was posted to Apple's Support webpage sometime on Friday, which noted email notifications were being sent to affected iMac owners who took the time to register their products. Users can also check the program's webpage to confirm eligibility.

Apple 1tb Hard Drive Replacement Software

iMac owners who were affected by the Seagate-specific failure can have their hard drives replaced for free from Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or those who have already paid for repair or replacement can contact Apple for a possible refund.

First initiated in July 2011, the recall originally ran through July 23, 2012 and covered iMacs sold between May 2011 and July 2011. The program was subsequently extended for an additional year. With Friday's announcement, the replacement plan has been broadened again, and now covers affected iMacs for three years after the first retail sale of the unit or until April 12, 2013, whichever provides longer coverage.

Seagate's storage components were at the center of another fiasco in 2007, when Apple acknowledged that a number of MacBook and MacBook Pros shipped with faulty hard drives. An apparent manufacturing flaw caused the drive head of some units to permanently fail, scratching the disk patter and causing permanent data loss.

AppleInsider has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased through affiliate links. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content.