A used MacBook with 256GB of storage may look like a good value until your photo library, applications, and work files fill it. Whether you can replace the internal drive depends on the exact model, not simply whether the computer has an Intel processor or Apple silicon. This guide separates models with removable storage from those with storage attached to the logic board, then explains what to check before buying.
The short answer
Most MacBooks sold in recent years do not have a replaceable internal SSD. The 2017 non-Retina MacBook Air and many older MacBook Air models have removable, proprietary SSD modules. Retina MacBook Pro models from 2012 through 2015 also have removable proprietary modules. The 13-inch MacBook Pro without Touch Bar from 2016 and 2017 is a narrow exception among newer Pros. Other 2016 and 2017 Touch Bar models, the 2018-and-newer Retina MacBook Air, and later MacBook Pros generally have storage integrated into the logic board. Apple-silicon MacBooks should be purchased with the internal capacity you expect to need.
These are buying rules rather than instructions to open a computer. A removable module is not necessarily a standard M.2 SSD. Compatibility, macOS installation, tools, and the availability of replacement parts vary. An internal upgrade may also be poor value on a model that is old enough to have limited software support or other wear.
Which used MacBooks have removable storage?
| MacBook family | Typical internal storage situation | Buying implication |
|---|---|---|
| Older non-Retina MacBook Pro, including 2012 unibody models | Replaceable 2.5-inch drive in many configurations | Storage changes are relatively straightforward, but verify the exact model and overall age. |
| MacBook Air through the 2017 non-Retina model | Removable proprietary SSD on supported models | Possible to replace, but check connector and drive compatibility before assuming a low-cost upgrade. |
| Retina MacBook Pro, 2012–2015 | Removable proprietary SSD | Potential upgrade path; RAM is a separate issue and is not upgraded the same way. |
| 13-inch MacBook Pro without Touch Bar, 2016–2017 | Removable proprietary SSD | A limited exception; confirm it is the function-key version, not a Touch Bar model. |
| MacBook Pro with Touch Bar from 2016, later Intel Pros, and Apple-silicon Pros | Storage generally integrated into the logic board | Choose a sufficient internal capacity at purchase. |
| Retina MacBook Air from 2018 and Apple-silicon Air models | Storage integrated into the logic board | Do not plan on replacing the internal SSD later. |
iFixit provides a 2017 MacBook Air SSD replacement guide and a 2018 Retina MacBook Air teardown showing the change to non-upgradeable storage. Its MacBook repairability overview explains the broader model history. The function-key 2016–2017 Pro exception is documented in its 2019 Pro repair answer. Because Apple has used several closely named models, use the model identifier rather than a seller's shorthand.
How to identify the exact model before buying
Ask the seller for a photo of Apple menu > About This Mac. Record the full model name, screen size, year, chip, memory, and storage capacity. The underside model number alone may cover multiple configurations, so cross-check it with the model identifier in System Information if the listing is ambiguous. Apple maintains separate MacBook Pro identification and MacBook Air identification pages.
For a 2016 or 2017 13-inch Pro, check whether it has a physical row of function keys or a Touch Bar. This detail changes the storage answer. For a MacBook Air, distinguish the 2017 non-Retina design from the 2018 Retina redesign. If a listing simply says “2017 MacBook” without the full family and size, do not infer upgradeability.
Ask for a screenshot of System Settings > General > Storage, or the equivalent storage view on older macOS versions. Apple says this view shows both used and available space. A seller's advertised “512GB” may refer to the capacity of the installed internal drive, an attached external drive, or a configuration copied from another listing; checking on the device removes the ambiguity.
How much internal storage should you buy?
Start with your present computer. Open its storage settings, note the space used, and identify the largest categories. Then add room for the files you expect to create during the next few years. A MacBook with 256GB can be reasonable for browser work, documents, streaming, and cloud-hosted files when local downloads are modest. It is less comfortable when a large Photos library, offline media, development tools, or game installs must stay on the machine.
For example, if your current computer uses 190GB before you move a 90GB photo library onto it, a 256GB MacBook leaves too little room for that plan. A 512GB configuration gives more flexibility. If you routinely carry several hundred gigabytes of video, a 1TB model or a deliberate external-drive workflow may be more suitable. These are planning examples, not guarantees of how much free space macOS will leave on every device. Check the actual usage and your tolerance for managing files.
Do not treat a cloud subscription as identical to internal storage. Files may still download locally, and some work needs offline access. Likewise, an external SSD is useful for a media library but less convenient if you move the MacBook frequently or need the files whenever the computer is open.
When an external SSD is the better option
An external SSD can expand practical file space on any MacBook with a compatible port. Apple explains that a Mac can use external drives through USB, USB-C, or Thunderbolt, and that files can be moved in Finder. Match the drive and cable to the MacBook's actual ports. The connector shape alone does not tell you the transfer speed; our guide to USB-C versus Thunderbolt on a used laptop explains that distinction.
External storage is well suited to archived photos, large video projects, media libraries, and files you do not need every day. It is less tidy for applications and active files if disconnecting the drive would interrupt work. Keep a separate backup: moving the only copy of your files to an external SSD does not protect them from a drive failure or loss.
Apple's Time Machine guide recommends a backup device with at least twice the Mac's storage capacity. Its guidance is to use a Time Machine disk only for backups unless an advanced user intentionally separates volumes. If you replace an internal SSD on an older MacBook, make a verified backup before opening the computer and plan how macOS and your files will be restored.
Should you buy an older MacBook specifically to upgrade it?
Usually, storage replacement should be a secondary benefit, not the only reason to buy an older machine. A 2015 Pro with a replaceable SSD is still a 2015 computer. Compare its battery condition, software compatibility, display, ports, and performance with a newer used MacBook whose internal storage already meets your needs. Our used MacBook battery-health guide covers another important check before purchase.
Replacement modules and adapters for older Macs can have model-specific requirements. iFixit's 2017 Air guide, for instance, notes that its proprietary connector is not directly compatible with a common M.2 drive and advises backing up before replacement. A computer sold with an upgraded SSD should be tested to confirm that it boots normally, reports the promised capacity, and has no storage errors. Ask whether the original drive is included and whether the work was professionally performed if that information affects your decision.
Bottom line
Some older MacBooks have a removable internal drive, but most Retina Air models from 2018 onward and modern Pros do not offer a practical internal storage upgrade. Identify the exact model, inspect its installed capacity, and estimate your future file needs before buying. If the MacBook you prefer has too little internal space, compare a higher-capacity unit or plan a realistic external-storage setup rather than assuming you can change the SSD later.