How to upgrade RAM on a Mac

If your Mac shows signs of slowness, upgrading RAM is a great solution. Although replacing the old hard drive with a modern SSD is the most powerful hardware improvement, but upgrading the RAM on the Mac helps you run multiple programs at the same time.

However, the way to upgrade RAM will vary depending on your model. This article will show you how to upgrade RAM on the Mac, which models to upgrade and how to buy RAM.

Mac models can upgrade RAM

Unfortunately, most modern Macs do not allow users to upgrade RAM.

Recent MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models produce RAM attached to the motherboard. Technically, users can upgrade the RAM of some newer iMacs but the work is not easy. You should not perform RAM upgrades on these machines unless you have experience with outdated electronics and machines.

Below is a list of Mac models users can upgrade RAM:

1. iMac (All except the following 21.5 inch models: Late 2012, Late 2013, Mid 2014, Late 2015, Retina 4K Late 2015, 2017, Retina 4K 2017 and Retina 4K 2019)
2. Pro Mac (All models)
3. Mac Mini (model 2010-2012)
4. MacBook (model 2008-2011)
5. MacBook Pro 13 ″ (2009-2012)
6. MacBook Pro 15 ″ (2008-2012)
7. MacBook Pro 17 ″ (All models)

If you own one of the following Mac models, you cannot upgrade RAM (in some cases, such as Mac Mini 2018, it can be upgraded but quite difficult):

1. iMac Pro (All models)
2. Mac Mini (2014, 2018)
3. MacBook Air (All models)
4. 12 ″ MacBook (All models)
5. Retina MacBook Pro with Retina display (All models)
6. MacBook Pro with Touch Bar (All models)

Basically, the more your Mac is, the less likely you are to upgrade RAM.

How to find the Mac model

Many Macs have the same appearance, so you need to check the model of the device correctly before buying RAM.

The model search on macOS is very simple. Click on the Apple menu in the upper left corner of the screen and select About this Mac . On the Overview tab, you will see the Mac name at the top, such as the MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016). Here you also see information about the amount of memory installed.

To avoid confusion, you should also get the device identification code. To do so, click the System Report button, then in the Hardware Overview section, find the Model Identifier , such as the MacBook7, 1.

Save this information to buy RAM.

How to buy the right RAM for a Mac

Because there are many RAM models, this article cannot provide accurate details of RAM for each model. However, you can find a variety of websites that help find the right RAM for your model.

The first website you should visit is the Mac World page of Other World Computing. Here you can choose your Mac model to find compatible RAM. You will see the Mac types along with the corresponding RAM. In addition, it also has videos that show how to upgrade RAM.

 https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/ 

Another site you might consider is Crucial's Mac memory center. Here, you can enter the computer information (found above) or download the scan tool to check. You will see results showing SSDs and RAM can work on your Mac.

 https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/apple-memory 

Ensure RAM compatibility

When buying RAM, compatibility with your system is very important. Not all types of RAM can work on every Mac computer, so it's important to make sure you buy the right component. Otherwise, your computer will not work.

This is why you should buy from a specialized RAM upgrade store for Mac. You should avoid cheap RAM with little or poor reviews.

Finally, you need to buy the right amount of RAM for your system. See OWC's MaxRAM page above to find out how much RAM your particular computer has. In many cases, this capacity may exceed the maximum limit provided by Apple.

This page also provides the number of memory slots for your computer. Most MacBook models have two memory slots. To take advantage of dual channel memory, you should buy two RAM sticks with the total capacity you want. For example, if you want to upgrade to 8GB of RAM, you should buy two 4GB sticks.

The amount of RAM you need to buy depends on your needs. 8GB is a moderate amount if you don't need to perform heavy tasks. If you perform multiple tasks and your computer supports it, upgrade to 16GB.

How to upgrade RAM on a Mac

Here is the general procedure for upgrading RAM for your Mac. As mentioned, this article cannot provide detailed instructions for each Mac model.

This is just a basic overview of the MacBook interface from the middle of 2010. Although it may be slightly different from your Mac, the basic process is the same. Most iMac models have a convenient window to access the RAM compartment, making it easier on laptops.

While executing be careful with electrostatic discharge, may damage computer components. Ensure grounding on a metal object before starting the process and performing on a surface with no static electricity. You should not pull your feet on the carpet while performing the upgrade.

When processing RAM, make sure you take it on either side so you don't touch any sensitive parts. Avoid handling RAM with gold-connected pins.

Step 1. Remove the MacBook cover

First, turn off the computer if not. Next, unplug the Mac from the power source, remove all connected accessories. Turn the MacBook upside down and you will see some screws, remove them with a standard Phillips screwdriver.

When removing it, you should place the screw in a place as carefully as in a paper or lid engraving to avoid falling because they are quite small.

Step 2: Remove old RAM

When removing the cover, you'll see the RAM right away because the MacBook doesn't have a lot of removable parts. In the image above, RAM is a green component on the Samsung drive.

With this MacBook, you'll see there are two small clips on either side of the RAM to keep it in place. You need to gently push these things out of the RAM and flip up to pull it out.

Repeat the above process for the second RAM, then set this old RAM aside.

Step 3: Install new RAM

Get the new RAM, arrange notch in the right connector pins with notch in the RAM compartment. It only goes one way, so it's not difficult for you to put in place.

After lining up the notch at about 30 degrees and lightly pressing down on RAM, you will feel it in the right place. Repeat the above process for the second bar and you're done.

After the new RAM is safely in place, you need to reinstall the cover. However, while the computer is disassembled, you should spend a minute to clean any visible dirt with a cotton swab or bottled gas to remove dirt especially in the fan.

Then, put the lid in place and screw the screw again.

Step 4: Confirm Mac to receive RAM

Start the computer to make sure it receives the correct RAM. In the About This Mac window, you'll see the amount of new RAM next to Memory . To see more information, you can open the System Report and click on the Memory tab.

So you have completed the process of upgrading RAM on a Mac.

I wish you all success!