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How to transfer and boot MacBook Pro from another computer with missing SSD?

Mac pro 2013 (trashcan) SSD has vanished. Diskutility cannot see it, not even in recovery mode. But, using target disk mode, I can see the whole drive from another mac. Is there a way to get the contents onto the trashcan from another computer, and for it to boot that way? It's the only way to 'see' the full SSD drive. Mavericks, late 2013.


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Earlier Mac models

Posted on Mar 11, 2024 4:55 PM

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4 replies

Mar 13, 2024 12:29 PM in response to CONFLIX

If you are using an internal third party NVMe SSD, then you need to be booted into a macOS 10.13+ installer since older versions of macOS are unable to communicate with a third party internal NVMe SSD. Try booting into Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R to see if you can access the macOS 12.x Monterey online installer.

Mar 14, 2024 10:19 AM in response to HWTech

HWTech wrote:

If you are using an internal third party NVMe SSD, then you need to be booted into a macOS 10.13+ installer since older versions of macOS are unable to communicate with a third party internal NVMe SSD. Try booting into Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R to see if you can access the macOS 12.x Monterey online installer.


It may be slightly more subtle than running 10.13. I think the literal requirement is that this Mac must have previously installed 10.13 at some point, in order to have the firmware updates installed that allow use of any-Brand SSD drives. (NB> the firmware is NOT installed on the drive, it is installed in a private firmware store on the processor card. so removing the drive after installing the firmware does not remove the firmware upgrade.)

Mar 14, 2024 6:06 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Grant Bennet-Alder wrote:


HWTech wrote:

If you are using an internal third party NVMe SSD, then you need to be booted into a macOS 10.13+ installer since older versions of macOS are unable to communicate with a third party internal NVMe SSD. Try booting into Internet Recovery Mode using Command + Option + R to see if you can access the macOS 12.x Monterey online installer.

It may be slightly more subtle than running 10.13. I think the literal requirement is that this Mac must have previously installed 10.13 at some point, in order to have the firmware updates installed that allow use of any-Brand SSD drives. (NB> the firmware is NOT installed on the drive, it is installed in a private firmware store on the processor card. so removing the drive after installing the firmware does not remove the firmware upgrade.)

Yes. I thought of that but decided against mentioning since the OP did not mention the problem being associated with an installation of a new SSD. I'll probably regret it ;-)

How to transfer and boot MacBook Pro from another computer with missing SSD?

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