How to Upgrade M4 Mac Mini Storage Using an External SSD 

How to Upgrade M4 Mac Mini Storage Using an External SSD 

Expanding storage on the M4 Mac Mini doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Instead of paying Apple’s premium for internal storage upgrades, using an external SSD is a budget-friendly solution that offers significant performance benefits. In this guide, we’ll cover the step-by-step process for setting up an external SSD as primary storage, answer common queries, and provide practical tips to optimize your Mac Mini setup. 

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Why Use an External SSD for Your Mac Mini? 

• Cost-Effective Solution: Instead of upgrading to a 1TB Mac Mini, you can pair the base model with a 1TB external SSD for a fraction of the price. 
• Easy Installation: No tools or technical expertise are needed—just plug it in and follow a few steps. 
• High-Speed Performance: Many external SSDs, especially NVMe drives, offer read/write speeds over 1,000 MB/s, ideal for demanding tasks. 
• Flexibility: Use the external SSD for running applications, storing large files, or even setting it as your primary user directory. 

"Mac mini 2024 (cropped)" by Seasider53, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Available at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mac_mini_2024_(cropped).jpg

Step 1: Choose and Format Your External SSD 

Select Your SSD: A portable SSD like the Crucial X10 Pro is a reliable option. For faster speeds, consider pairing an NVMe SSD with an OWC enclosure. 

Format the SSD: 

• Connect the SSD to the Mac Mini using a USB-C or Thunderbolt port. 

• Open Disk Utility (Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility). 

• Select the external SSD and click Erase. 

• Set the format to APFS (Apple File System). This ensures macOS compatibility and performance. 

• Confirm the format and let the drive remount. 

Step 2: Set Up a Secondary Admin Account 

Creating a secondary admin account on the internal drive ensures you can recover easily if issues arise. 

• Go to System Settings > Users & Groups. 

• Add a new admin account and set it as Administrator. 

• Use a name like “Backup Admin” and set a strong password. 

Step 3: Move Your User Profile to the External SSD 

To save all user data automatically to the external SSD, follow these steps: 

• Show Hidden Files: Press Command + Shift + Period to display hidden files.
  

  Copy User Files: 

• Open your user folder on the internal drive. 
• Copy all visible and hidden files using Command + C. 

• Paste to External SSD: Navigate to the external SSD and paste the files into its root directory. 
  

  Change Home Directory: 

• Go to Users & Groups. 
• Right-click your user account > Advanced Options. 
• Update the home directory path to the external SSD. 
• Reboot the Mac Mini and log into the updated profile. All files, downloads, and applications will now default to the SSD. 

Step 4: Install Applications on the External Drive 

• Install programs that allow location selection directly to the SSD. For example, games, large applications, and creative tools like Adobe software work well on external storage. 
• Apps that default to internal storage (e.g., DaVinci Resolve) will still save projects and user data to the SSD since your user profile resides there. 

Step 5: Back Up Using Time Machine 

Backing up ensures you don’t lose data if the external SSD crashes or gets disconnected. 

• Connect a second SSD for backups and format it to APFS using Disk Utility. 

• Open Time Machine in System Settings. 

• Select your backup drive and remove the external SSD from the Exclusions list. 

• Start the backup process. Both internal and external drives will be backed up. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. Will using an external SSD slow down my Mac Mini?

No, external SSDs with USB-C or Thunderbolt connections offer speeds comparable to internal drives, especially NVMe SSDs. 

2. Can I boot macOS directly from an external SSD?

No, Apple restricts direct booting for M-series Macs. Instead, you can move your user profile and data to the SSD. 

3. What happens if the SSD is unplugged?

If the SSD is disconnected, applications and files will crash. Always ensure a Time Machine backup is available for recovery. 

4. Can I install games and apps on the external SSD?

Yes, most modern games and software can run seamlessly from an external SSD, making it an excellent option for performance-heavy tasks. 

Conclusion: Upgrade Storage and Optimize Your Mac Mini 

Using an external SSD is the best way to expand storage on your M4 Mac Mini without overspending. Whether you need space for apps, games, or media files, this upgrade offers performance, flexibility, and affordability. 

For audiophiles building the ultimate Mac Mini setup, the Audioengine A5+ Home Music System stands out as the perfect companion. Featured in Apple’s Mac Mini launch, the A5+ delivers premium sound quality and versatile connectivity for a superior desktop experience. Learn more about the A5+ here: https://audioengine.com/explore/audioengines-white-a5-featured-in-apples-mac-mini-launch/. 

Upgrade your Mac Mini, enhance your audio setup, and enjoy a smarter, more powerful workspace today.