This page sets out the repairs, upgrades and data recovery we carry out on the Mac mini M1 (2020), with notes on what tends to go wrong and what can and cannot be upgraded. It is a desktop Mac from 2020, identified by model number A2348. Storage and memory are both fixed to the board, which shapes what can be upgraded and how data is recovered.
- Model number
- A2348
- Model identifier
- Macmini9,1
- Released
- 2020
- Type
- Desktop Mac
- Storage
- Soldered to the board
- Memory
- Unified memory, part of the chip
Repairs we carry out on the Mac mini M1
Power supply repair
A mini PC that shows no signs of life often has a failed external power adapter. We test with a known-good adapter before looking at the board.
Memory
Memory in the Mac mini M1 is part of the Apple silicon chip and cannot be changed after purchase.
macOS reinstall and repair
We reinstall macOS, migrate data, and can revive or restore the firmware in DFU mode from a second Mac when an update has left the machine unresponsive.
Storage
Storage on the Mac mini M1 is soldered and cannot be upgraded. We can help with external storage, clearing space, or moving to a new machine.
We also carry out logic board repair, overheating and fan repair, macOS reinstallation on the Mac mini M1, along with no-picture and no-boot diagnosis, port repair, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth card replacement and data transfer to a new PC.
Known issues with the Mac mini M1 range
- The 2018 Mac mini pairs soldered, T2-encrypted storage with upgradeable memory; the 2014 model is the reverse, with soldered memory.
- Apple silicon Mac mini models have both storage and memory on the logic board.
- The power supply is internal, so a mini that is completely dead may need a power supply and not a logic board.
Data recovery from the Mac mini M1
The SSD in the Mac mini M1 is soldered and hardware-encrypted, so there is no drive to remove. If the Mac is dead, data recovery means repairing the logic board far enough to start it and copy the data off. If you have a Time Machine or iCloud backup, tell us, as that may be the quicker route.
Estimate the cost with our data recovery calculator, or read about recovering files after a ransomware attack.
Where the Mac mini M1 sits in the range
Its nearest relatives in the Mac mini range are the older Mac mini (2018) and the newer Mac mini M2 Pro (2023). Memory differs: unified memory, part of the chip on the Mac mini M1, SODIMM slots on the Mac mini.
Questions
Can the SSD or memory in the Mac mini M1 be upgraded?
The storage is soldered and cannot be upgraded. Memory is part of the chip and cannot be changed.
My Mac mini M1 will not turn on. Is my data lost?
Not necessarily, but the storage is on the main board, so the board has to be repaired far enough to read it. Do not keep trying to power it on, and tell us about any backups you have.
Can you upgrade the graphics card in a Mac mini M1?
In most cases, yes. We first check the power supply, the physical space and any manufacturer-specific connectors, then fit and test the card.
How much does it cost to repair a Mac mini M1?
Price confirmed before work starts. The exact figure depends on the part your machine needs, and we confirm it before any work starts.