How do you upgrade the storage in the iMac Pro models? What type of storage do they support? Is it even possible to upgrade these models?

Please note that this Q&A speculates about how to upgrade the storage in the dark gray iMac Pro (model number A1862). EveryMac.com also provides separate storage upgrade instructions for the similar looking silver "Tapered Edge" non-Pro iMac models (model numbers A1418, A1419, A2115 and A2116).

Officially, Apple does not consider the SSD storage in the iMac Pro models to be upgradable. Even upgrading the RAM is a challenging, complicated procedure.

Consequently, EveryMac.com cannot recommend that one attempt to upgrade the storage themselves, as doing so would be difficult at best and may not even be possible. However, some speculation about the possibility of upgrading the storage in the future still can be helpful.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iMac Pro)

Identification Help (Skip)

There only is one iMac Pro, so further identification really isn't necessary.

However, further identification details may be helpful in the future. The "Late 2017" iMac Pro Model Number is A1862. Although it is common for Model Numbers to be shared by multiple models, this one is unique to the iMac Pro.

For the purpose of accessing the SSD, the iMac Pro models also can be identified sufficiently by the iMacPro1,1 Model Identifier in software and externally by the 3144 EMC Number.

To locate the model identifier in software, select "About This Mac" under the Apple Menu on your computer, click the "More Info..." button, and finally click the "System Report" button.

The EMC number is inconveniently located on the bottom of the "foot" supporting the iMac Pro, but EveryMac.com nevertheless has hand documented the EMC numbers because they are a unique external identifier.

More details about specific identifiers are provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.

Storage Details & Upgrade Speculation

In sales copy, Apple notes that iMac Pro is equipped by default with "1 TB of fast NVMe-based SSD storage." In fine print, the company disclaims that iMac Pro "storage is not user accessible" and further warns "if you think you may need more storage capacity in the future, consider upgrading it at the time of purchase."

Photo Credit: Other World Computing (Site Sponsor)

In support documentation, Apple appears to make no mention of whether or not it is possible to upgrade the storage, even at an Apple Authorized Service Provider, so the safe assumption is that it is not possible to upgrade internal storage after purchase.

However, in a complete teardown of the iMac Pro, site sponsor OWC discovered that the SSD is removable, and it consists of two small modules, 512 GB each by default, (EMC 3197, 656-0061A). OWC also noted that the screws holding the modules in place are covered by a tamper-resistant VOID sticker. Consequently, removing the SSD does void the warranty.

In its own teardown, iFixit elaborated further that these are "raw flash modules" that "only have an interface buffer -- the PCIe/NVMe controller lies elsewhere."

More specifically, the SSD is controlled by the custom Apple T2 chip.

Storage Summary

It is possible to remove the iMac Pro SSD, but it might not be possible to install another one, particularly a third-party one, without the effective blessing of Apple's T2 chip. Apple may allow third-party SSD upgrades or independent companies may have to resort to clever hacks or workarounds.

Upgrading the SSD yourself also appears to void the warranty. Consequently, this definitely is not a good upgrade to perform yourself. Highly skilled technical users may find upgrades feasible should affordable storage become available after the warranty period, in particular.

To add more storage to your iMac Pro, the easy way is to go with an external SSD equipped with a Thunderbolt 3 port.

Also see: What external storage options are available for the iMac Pro? Which is the fastest?