Theoretically, you can upgrade RAM & SSD on your M1 Mac mini, but you shouldn’t

The M1 is Apple’s first Apple Silicon chip for the Mac. While it offers significant speed and performance benefits, it is also much less user-upgradeable with integrated memory and storage.

While the new Mac devices are less upgradeable, it is still theoretically possible to swap out some components on the chip. This is evident from Chinese maintenance technicians who have successfully expanded the RAM and SSD capacities on an Apple M1 chips.

Reportedly, the engineers completed the performance using a soldering station to install DRAM memory chips and NAND flash memory chips. While the process involved de-soldering the existing chips and adding the new components, apparently no firmware changes were required.

The exact details on the upgrade are sparse, but roughly translated Chinese text in the post praises the apparent success, claiming that “victory belongs to those who adapt.”

Of course, just because some engineers have managed to get it done doesn’t mean you should try it at home.

First, it is nearly impossible to buy the DRAM and NAND chips you need for this consumer-level procedure. You will also have to pay money for a soldering station. And all of this assumes that you or someone you know has the ability to do it.

More importantly, any changes of this nature will immediately void your warranty. That becomes a bigger problem when you consider that soldering and soldering the DRAM and NAND chips requires a fair amount of skill, precision and patience.

Make mistakes here and you will end up with a dead Mac and no way to get it fixed. That’s why we warn against any kind of change like this unless you’re willing to waste your money.

Due to the speed and performance advantages of the M1, it is much better to only upgrade the RAM and SSD space at the time of purchase. It’s an investment, and probably a wise one.