How to access files on failed MacBook Air

posted in: Apple Products | 11

In this guide I explain how to access and recover files from a failed MacBook Air, assuming it’s not the hard drive or solid state drive (SSD) related failure.

Let’s say the laptop suffered from liquid spill, was dropped or just stopped working but you don’t have your files backed up.

MacBook Air  (Late 2008 and Mid 2009)

These models came equipped with a 1.8″ 120GB SATA HDD or 128GB SSD with a 24 pin ZIF connector.

For the following procedure you will need a small Phillips screwdriver (size #0).

STEP 1.

Remove 10 screws securing the laptop bottom cover. Remove the cover.

The hard drive located on the left side from the fan.

MacBook Air 2008-2009 hard drive

STEP 2.

Disconnect the DVI/USB/Audio port cable from the logic board.

Just lift it up by the black tab attached to the connector.

Disconnect USB Audio DVI port cable

STEP 3.

Disconnect the hard drive cable from the logic board.

Remove 4 screws securing the mounting bracket.

Disconnect hard drive

STEP 4.

Remove the hard drive.

While removing it, you will have to un-route the wireless antenna cable attached to the mounting bracket.

Remove hard drive

STEP 5.

Very carefully lift up the cable retainer located on the hard drive connector (green arrow).

The retainer will open up at a 90 degree angle.

Pull the cable out of the connector (yellow arrow).

Disconnect hard drive cable

STEP 6.

In order to access data on the hard drive I’ll be using a 24 Pin SATA LIF Macbook Air SSD HDD SATA Adapter.

This adapter is available on Amazon.

SATA Lif SSD adapter

STEP 7.

Connect the flat cable to the adapter.

Note that contacts on the cable are facing upwards.

Plug cable into adapter

STEP 8.

Lock the connector by sliding the retainer to the shown direction.

Lock connector

STEP 9.

Now connect the second end of the flat cable to the hard drive.

I had some trouble inserting the cable because it was too tight.

Make sure the cable is plugged all the way down into the connector.

Do not bent the cable because it can be easily damaged.

Note that contacts on the cable are facing downwards.

Plug cable into hard drive

STEP 10.

Lock the connector.

Lock HDD connector

You have to make sure that the cable is plugged correctly and contacts on the cable are aligned with the contacts on the connector.

Cable positioned correctly

STEP 11.

The hard drive is almost ready for data recovery.

SATA adapter connected to HDD

STEP 12.

In order to connect the hard drive adapter to another Mac computer you will need a SATA to USB cable.

SATA to USB or FireWire cable

STEP 13.

Connect the cable to the hard drive adapter and plug it into another working Mac computer.

If everything is connected properly and the hard drive not failing, it should be detected by the Mac.

Now you can access your files.

HDD connected to laptop

MacBook Air 11-inch or 13-inch (2010/2011, 2012, 2013- Current models)

For the following procedure you will need Torx T5 screwdriver and 5-Point Torx Plus (Pentalobe compatible) screwdriver.

STEP 1.

Remove 10 pentalobe screws from the bottom cover. Remove the cover.

MBA 2010 2011 2012 SSD

STEP 2.

Remove one Torx T5 screw securing the SSD.

Remove SSD screw

STEP 3.

Pull the SSD out of the slot.

Pull SSD out of slot

For data access and recovery you will need a special external enclosure for Apple SSD drives.

External SSD to USB enclosure

STEP 4.

SSDs installed in MacBook Air (2010/2011), MacBook Air (2012) and MacBook Air (2013/2014/2015/2017) models are different, even though they look similar.

The SSD removed from a 2010/2011 model will not fit into 2012 or 2013-Current year enclosure and vice versa.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The OWC Envoy enclosure has been specifically designed for use ONLY with the factory SSD found installed in Apple MacBook Air. Do not try to install a third party SSD into this enclosure or you will damage the drive.

Enclosures for MacBook Air

STEP 5.

Select the right enclosure for your laptop and mount the SSD.

Assemble the enclosure.

Install SSD into enclosure

STEP 6.

Connect the enclosure to another Mac computer via provided USB 3.0 cable.

If the SSD is in good working condition your Mac should detect it.

Now you can access and recover needed files.

Recover data from SSD

You can use Migration Assistant software (built into Mac OS X) to transfer all personal files, settings and applications to another Mac computer.


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11 Responses

  1. Sergio

    Dear Sirs
    It seems I may need an OWC Envoy.
    My Macair was manufactured in late 2009 and I bought it in early 2010.

    Would the
    SKU: OWCMAU3ENVOY11O for 2010/2011

    suit for HDD file transfer to another hard disk, or is there another sku for 2009 Macairs?

    Thank you in advance for your kind support.
    Sergio

    • IML Tech

      @ Sergio,
      If your MacBook Air was manufactured in late 2009, probably it’s a Mid-2009 model. That’s my guess. I cannot tell without the serial number.
      If that’s the case, the OWC enclosure (OWCMAU3ENVOY11) WILL NOT work for you.
      You will need one shown in the first part of my guide.

  2. Sergio

    Thank you for the quick reply.
    I used one of the tools available on the net to traceback all data. My Air was produced in week 46 of 2009 in China.
    Can this help further or shall I still go for the adapter described in the first part of yourguide?

    Thx
    Sergio

    • IML Tech

      @ Sergio,
      If the laptop was produced in week 46 of 2009, most likely it’a a MacBook Air (Mid 2009) model.
      You’ll have to go with the adapter shown in the first part of the guide.

  3. Nick

    Do you know if the OWC Enclosure can be used to recover files from the MBA SSD by connecting to a non-Mac? (Windows/Linux)

    • IML Tech

      @ Nick,

      Do you know if the OWC Enclosure can be used to recover files from the MBA SSD by connecting to a non-Mac? (Windows/Linux)

      You cannot do that on a Windows machine. It will not read Mac drive at all.

      You should be able to do that in Linux. Check out this thread for help.

  4. Nabeel

    My macbook air is a late 2013 model, bought in 2014… will the same procedure apply?

  5. Douglas McCristal

    Hi Thank you so much for you help. Is my mac book air 2012 the serial no is C02G2HDDJYC, and is there anyway to tell if the SSD is ok, the air is dead with no response from keys or removing and replacing battery
    best wishes
    douglas

  6. dbon

    Can someone else read the files on a dead macbook air? If they get the drive out, would they still need the account name and password? My air is DEAD, beep of death, and I just want to chuck it but don’t know how. 2011 model…