Upgrade Your M4 Mac Mini Storage to 2TB — A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

If you're like me and use your Mac Mini for music production or other media-heavy work, the base 256GB of internal storage just doesn't cut it. But instead of shelling out hundreds of dollars more to Apple, you can upgrade your internal SSD yourself, and save a good chunk of money in the process.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how I upgraded my M4 Mac Mini from 256GB to 2TB. If you're handy with basic tools and patient with instructions, it's surprisingly doable.

Why I Chose the Base Model

When I bought my M4 Mac Mini, I knew 256GB wouldn’t be enough, especially for Logic Pro projects and large sound libraries. But I also knew it was possible to upgrade the internal storage yourself, thanks to resources like ExpandMac and iFixit.

Plus, at the time of this recording (July 2025), only the base M4 model supports DIY upgrades — the M4 Pro model doesn't (yet).

What You’ll Need for the Upgrade

I got my upgrade kit from expandmac.com. The kit included:

• A 2TB SSD module designed for the M4 Mac Mini
• A screwdriver with multiple bits
• Plastic and metal pry tools

All the tools required are included. You'll also need a second Mac to restore the system using Apple Configurator and a downloaded IPSW firmware file.

Backing Up Before You Begin

Before cracking open your Mac Mini, back it up. I used Time Machine since I’d only had the computer a few months. You can also use something like Carbon Copy Cloner if you want a more exact clone.

Opening the Mac Mini Case

I started by flipping the Mac Mini upside down and carefully prying off the bottom case using the included picks. This was probably the trickiest part. The clips are stubborn, and I scratched the case slightly with the metal pick, so use the plastic one when you can.

There’s also a power button cable attached inside the case. iFixit suggests removing it, but I left mine connected and worked around it to reduce risk.

Removing the Internal Components

Once the case was open:

• I removed the eight screws holding down the inner plate (keep these organized).
• I lifted the plate slightly, being mindful of the second internal cable.
• I then removed the fan (two different screw sizes here).
• The SSD screw was the tightest of all. With some gentle wiggling, I slid out the old 256GB SSD.

Installing the New SSD

Installing the new 2TB SSD was simple. Slide it in at a slight angle, press gently to seat it, and screw it back in. Then reverse the process:

• Reattach the fan
• Reinstall the inner plate
• Snap the bottom case back into place

Restoring the System

To restore macOS:

1. Connect the Mac Mini to a second Mac using a USB-C or Thunderbolt cable.
2. Hold the power button for 10 seconds on the Mac Mini, then plug in the power while continuing to hold the button. When the front LED blinks orange, you're in DFU mode.
3. On your second Mac, open Apple Configurator, load the IPSW firmware file, and click Restore.

Once that finishes, the Mac Mini will boot up, and you can go through setup. I plugged in my Time Machine backup and restored everything — apps, files, and settings.

Confirming the Upgrade

Once the system was restored, I checked System Settings to confirm the upgrade: 196GB of 2TB used — success!

Now I have space for all my Logic Pro libraries, third-party software instruments, and projects — and I saved hundreds of dollars compared to Apple’s upgrade price.

Final Thoughts

If you're comfortable with disassembling a computer and following detailed instructions, this is a great way to upgrade your Mac Mini without overspending. The upgrade process took about 30 minutes, with most of the time spent on the software restore.

TIMECODES:
00:00 Intro
01:16 SSD Kit Overview
02:29 Upgrade Instructions and Prerequisites
03:33 SSD Kit Unboxing
04:04 Opening the Case
05:46 Removing Internal Components
09:46 Installing the New SSD
10:23 Reassembling the Mac Mini
11:38 Restoring the Firmware
13:32 System Setup & Data Transfer
15:19 Verifying the Storage Upgrade
16:03 Final Thoughts