SSD Adapter for 2015 MacBook Air

LevelUp_CommLevelUp_Comm
Posted:
in Genius Bar

I am working on a 2015 MacBook Air for a client.  The user spilled liquid on the keyboard, and now it won't boot.  They took it to a Genius, whose repair quote was high enough that they decided to buy a new MBP instead.  I restored their data from a backup and they're in good shape now, but now I want to wipe the MBA's SSD to prevent any of their personal data from ending up in the wrong hands.  Two days later and I still can't find an adapter that will allow me to access the drive on another Mac (I don't have another 2015 MBA to use).  Do any of you know where I can find an adapter for this, so I can connect to it and wipe it?  Here are the specs:

 

MacBook Air Core i5 - Early 2015

Model #: A1466 (EMC 2925)

256GB SSD (Samsung model #: MZ-JPV256R/0A2)

The SSD has a 16 + 12 pin configuration on one side, and an 11 + 14 pin configuration on the other.

Link for reference: http://www.memory4less.com/samsung-ssd-mz-jpv256r-0a2

 

I know servicing Macs is very much a moving target since they're always changing their configurations, but this model has been out for a couple of years, and I'm a bit surprised that I can't find any SATA or USB adapters for it.  Any ideas how I can reliably wipe the drive without physically damaging it would be greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 5
    MarvinMarvin Posts: 15,326moderator
    OWC has a USB drive for the PCIe SSDs:

    https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MAU3ENPRPCI/

    It might be possible to transfer the SSD into the MBP too. If the OS they had installed was Yosemite or above, it encrypts the drive by default so the data should be secure but there's no harm in wiping it.
    LevelUp_Comm
  • Reply 2 of 5
    LevelUp_CommLevelUp_Comm Posts: 4member
    That enclosure looks like it will work.  Thanks for the reply, Marvin!  I also found an article from The Mac Observer (https://www.macobserver.com/tmo/answers/how-to-use-target-disk-mode-to-boot-from-another-macs-hard-drive) that says connecting to a powerless MBA using Target Disk Mode will treat it like an external drive. I'm going to buy the appropriate cable and give it a try.  I'll let you know if it works.
  • Reply 3 of 5
    LevelUp_CommLevelUp_Comm Posts: 4member
    It looks like the Target Disk Mode approach won't work because the damaged Mac has no power.  My MBP doesn't have a compatible SSD port, so I guess it's the pricey enclosure, then.  Thanks again for your help.
  • Reply 4 of 5
    LevelUp_CommLevelUp_Comm Posts: 4member
    Just a quick follow-up.  I ended up buying the OWC adapter/enclosure (https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MAU3ENPRPCI), and it works really well. It also comes in an enclosure that looks and feels like it belongs with a MacBook. That it works well and looks good doesn't completely justify the cost, but it helps a lot.
  • Reply 5 of 5
    linkmanlinkman Posts: 1,035member
    An encrypted drive along with burning the SSD flash chips with a torch and then smashing it with a hammer would have been extremely effective in preventing data recovery.
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