Upgrading the memory (RAM) of a MacBook or iMac: is it possible?

Your Mac gets slow when you have lots of programs open, and you wonder whether you can upgrade your MacBook's memory (RAM). The short answer: on almost every MacBook of the last ten years no, on some iMacs yes. This article explains which models allow it, why newer Macs do not and what you can do instead.

Blue Apple repairs Macs in Amsterdam. We say honestly what is and is not possible, before you spend money on anything.

MacBooks: usually soldered

• 13-inch MacBook Pro without Retina (up to 2012): still has memory slots. Upgrading is possible.
• MacBook Pro with Retina display and MacBook Air from about 2012-2013: the memory is soldered to the logic board. Upgrading is not possible the normal way.
• All Macs with an Apple chip (M1 and newer): the memory is inside the chip itself ("unified memory"). Upgrading is impossible.

iMacs: sometimes

• 27-inch iMac (up to and including 2020): has a hatch at the back with memory slots. Upgrading is easy.
• 21.5-inch iMac: on most models the memory sits inside; upgrading means removing the screen, and on some models it is soldered.
• iMac with an Apple chip: cannot be upgraded.

You can see which model you have in About This Mac. It also shows how much memory is in it now.

Do you actually need more memory?

Open Activity Monitor and look at memory pressure under Memory. Green means you have enough; more memory will not help. Yellow or red during your normal work means your Mac has too little. See Activity Monitor explained.

Macs with an Apple chip also handle memory cleverly. A MacBook Air with 8 GB often feels snappier for mail, browsing and Office than an older Intel MacBook with 16 GB.

What can you do if upgrading is not possible?

1. Keep less open at once. Browsers with many tabs need a lot of memory. Close what you are not using.
2. Clean up login items. Check System Settings, General, Login Items for what starts along.
3. Keep storage free. When memory is full, the Mac uses the SSD as extra memory. With a nearly full SSD that gets slow. See replacing an SSD or expanding storage.
4. Restart now and then. That frees memory that programs do not release properly.
5. Choose more memory on your next Mac. For heavy work (video, many virtual machines, large photos) 16 GB or more is sensible.

Upgrading a 27-inch iMac: what to watch

Check in About This Mac which type of memory is in it and how many slots are free. Choose memory with exactly the same specifications (type and speed) and preferably fit modules in pairs. Shut the iMac down, unplug it and wait a few minutes before opening the hatch.

Slow while memory is green?

Then something else is the cause: a nearly full drive, a worn battery that throttles the processor, or heat from dust in the cooling. Read MacBook runs hot or slow.

What we do at Blue Apple in Amsterdam

On iMacs and older MacBooks with slots we upgrade the memory. On other models we look at why your Mac is slow, and what does help: a new battery, clean cooling or a faster SSD where possible. More on our page about Mac and MacBook repair in Amsterdam.

Frequently asked questions

Can the memory of my MacBook Air M1 be upgraded?

No. With Apple chips the memory is inside the chip.

Is 8 GB enough?

For mail, browsing, Office and light photo editing usually yes. For heavy work, preferably 16 GB or more.

Can a repairer replace soldered memory?

Technically sometimes, but it is risky and rarely worth it. Usually another solution is wiser.