Apple’s M6 and M5 Pro Mac mini models, which went on sale September 22, no longer have a removable SSD module. Expand Mac mini says it opened both computers and found the NAND storage soldered directly to each logic board. Owners cannot swap an internal module to add capacity after purchase.
M6 and M5 Pro use soldered storage
The teardown vendor says the new models have no SSD slot, so its aftermarket modules will not fit. Expand Mac mini sells replacement modules, which gives it a commercial interest in upgradeability; its report is also based on opening both machines and sharing photos of the boards.
Apple’s parts support table lists a used SSD module for the 2024 Mac mini but not for the M6 or M5 Pro. That table shows which used Apple parts are supported; it does not prove how storage is attached. The teardown provides the physical evidence, while Apple’s list confirms the old module is no longer a supported replacement part for these models.
The M4 generation brought back upgradeable storage
The M4 Mac mini brought back a separate SSD module after the M1, M2, and M3 models used soldered storage. That module was proprietary, not a standard M.2 drive, and aftermarket replacements made it possible to increase capacity after purchase. Expand Mac mini says its M4 and M4 Pro modules remain supported, but they will not fit the M6 or M5 Pro.
Readers comparing the generations can see our M6 vs. M4 Mac mini breakdown. The key difference for storage is simple: the M4 has a replaceable module, while the new models have NAND chips soldered to the board.
Choose storage before you order
Apple’s Mac mini specifications list the $899 M6 with 256GB of storage by default and options up to 2TB. The $1,699 M5 Pro starts at 512GB and can be configured up to 8TB. With no module to replace later, buyers should choose a capacity that can handle their files and projects as they grow.
An external Thunderbolt SSD can hold photo libraries, video projects, and other large files, but it does not increase the Mac mini’s internal capacity. The change applies to the M6 and M5 Pro; owners of the 2024 M4 and M4 Pro models keep their existing upgrade path.
