Apple Has an SSD Data Recovery Tool for Touch Bar MacBook Pros That Refuse to Boot

Since it's been revealed that Apple chose to use a soldered down, non-removable SSD in its 13-inch and 15-inch Touch Bar MacBook Pros, it's natural for users to wonder about the fate of their data in the event of a fault that requires a logic board replacement.

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Fortunately it appears as if Apple has a proprietary in-house tool to rescue stored user data when disaster strikes. 9to5Mac reports that a dedicated port on the logic board allows Apple staff to attach the recovery tool once the board's been removed from the chassis. The tool then transfers the data from the SSD to a working MacBook Pro's drive via one of its USB-C ports.

All indications are that users won't be able to get their hands on this recovery tool, as it's only available to Apple support staff for emergency use when a laptop sent in for repair won't boot.

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Top Rated Comments

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Moorepheus

27 months ago

This is purely speculation but I'd wager Apple would do this for free if you were out of warranty - it's their own fault for soldering down the SSD.

Don't hold your breath on that. If anything Apple does, they are not going to give away a service for free out of warranty ( iPhone 6 touch disease). All i see here is a money making machine for apple. You all have fun with that!!!

Rating: 27 Votes

69Mustang

27 months ago

Bs. I almost guarantee Apple will do it for free.

I've taken out of warranty stuff to Apple to be fixed to an Apple Store. If they can fix something without cost to them other than labor they will usually do it.

Not BS. I too have had out of warranty work done for free by Apple. I have also been denied free out of warranty service by Apple. It's not their policy. It depends on the type of work and more importantly... scratch that, MOST importantly the employee in the store. Luck of the draw is not something I'd use to base a guarantee on for out of warranty service.

The touch disease only happens to phones dropped too hard.

This is BS. It's the same BS as the ubiquitous "a small number of customers have experienced..." PR line Apple trots out whenever there are issues. Touch disease wasn't about the phone being dropped too hard. Anyone believing that line really needs their head checked. That's a sad example of blame the customer for a design defect (which they promptly fixed in the next iPhone iteration).

Rating: 26 Votes

zhang96

27 months ago

Or just make the damn thing removable

Rating: 22 Votes

69Mustang

27 months ago

The same as any other logic board component failure.

A dead SSD should mean a simple replacement of the SSD, not the entire board. Soldering the SSD to the board makes this recovery tool and the "port to nowhere" necessary. Also it eliminates the possibility of upgrading your SSD down the road.

Rating: 19 Votes

bladerunner2000

27 months ago

The same as any other logic board component failure.

Well then, they shouldn't have made the SSD soldered.

Another reason among the many not to buy any of their new crippled Macbooks.

Rating: 17 Votes

itsmilo

27 months ago

It doesn't help when the SSD is dead you still have to replace the whole logic board... :(

Its quite funny how Apple always wants to appear like the most environmental friendly company and then they pull crap like this. I remember when Apple needed to replace my battery (under warranty). They replaced the whole body housing and the keyboard just to replace the battery. Redic if you ask me

Rating: 14 Votes

mayuka

27 months ago

It doesn't help when the SSD is dead you still have to replace the whole logic board... :(

Rating: 11 Votes

manu chao

27 months ago

Note that there are also situations where the computer does not boot anymore but TB target disk mode might still work.
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And this crap is the reason I don't use macs. Love iOS but Mac OS. Meh.

Because one can change the SSD inside iOS devices?

Rating: 10 Votes

deany

27 months ago

Think about this with an open mind. There is nothing special about the SSD. It isn't any more prone to fail than the other components. In the old days CPUs were socketed. Now they're not. Your desire to make the SSD replaceable is arbitrary.

But if your logic board fails you need to buy a logic board plus an SSD
On the 2015 rMBP if the logic board failed you could simply replace the old SSD with the data in tact, saving money and saving waste on a perfectly good SSD.

We have had this potential issue last month on a 2015 iMac 21.5" under apple care £600 logic board repair but they used OLD SSD and therefore saved:

• The hassle of restoring data (the iMac booted straight away with ALL data there (no sensitive data) as it was before sending for repair)

• The addition cost of replacing a 100% perfect SSD

• The very "un-green" aspect of binning said perfect SSD by a company that professes to be so "green".

No one has said why it benefits soldering the SSD in the rMBP except if the machine was dropped and the SSD was dislodged but then there would be almost certainly other problems.
I just don't buy the "thinness" argument either.
I can only see negatives here by apple, no positives at all just poor excuses like the title of this thread, and "thinness".

I'm glad apple isn't a Vogue model their ridiculous obsession with thinness would put folks OFF.....actually this is happening - read the posts folks are NOT happy.

Rating: 10 Votes

pcmacgamer

27 months ago

so repairable and easily upgradeable!

nothing but courage!!!

Rating: 9 Votes

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