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MacBook Neo Storage Upgrade: 1TB iPhone NAND Hack

AppleInsider •
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Apple's MacBook Neo ships with a 256GB SSD that can't be upgraded through official channels, but YouTuber dosdude1 has demonstrated a way to boost storage to 1TB using iPhone 16 Pro NAND chips. The modification requires advanced soldering skills and isn't for the faint of heart.

Unlike recent Mac models that allow easy SSD swaps, the MacBook Neo's storage is soldered directly to the motherboard. The workaround involves sourcing blank K8A5 NAND chips, typically found in 1TB iPhone 16 Pro configurations, and carefully transplanting them onto the MacBook's logic board. The YouTuber notes that used iPhone NAND won't work, as the chips must be unprogrammed.

While Apple charges $100 to upgrade to 512GB, this DIY approach costs around $200 for 1TB—a tempting proposition given Apple doesn't offer a 1TB option at all. However, the process requires complete disassembly, delicate soldering work, and preparation on a separate Windows PC. The YouTuber confirms that RAM remains non-upgradeable due to the integrated system-on-chip design, making storage the only viable modification path for this compact machine.