M1/M2/M3/M4 Mac Data Recovery | Rossmann Group

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Why You Can't Just Remove the SSD

The NAND chips are physically soldered to the board and cryptographically paired to the SoC (System on Chip). Even if you could desolder them, they cannot be read without the original processor. The encryption keys are generated during initial pairing and stored in the Secure Enclave inside the Apple Silicon die.

Earlier Intel Macs with removable NVMe modules allowed transferring the SSD to another identical Mac. Apple Silicon eliminated that option. The M1, M2, M3, and M4 processors each integrate the storage controller directly into the SoC. No adapter, enclosure, or donor board can substitute for the original processor.

Affected Devices

MacBook Air M1 (2020), M2 (2022), M3 (2024). MacBook Pro M1/M1 Pro/M1 Max (2021), M2 Pro/M2 Max (2023), M3/M3 Pro/M3 Max (2023), M4/M4 Pro/M4 Max (2024). Mac Mini M1 (2020), M2 (2023), M4 (2024). Mac Studio M1 Max/M1 Ultra (2022), M2 Max/M2 Ultra (2023). iMac M1 (2021), M3 (2023), M4 (2024).

Secure Enclave and NAND Encryption

Apple Silicon integrates the storage controller, Secure Enclave, and application processor into a single SoC die. Every block written to the soldered NAND passes through AES-256 encryption in XTS mode before reaching the flash chips. The encryption keys are generated inside the Secure Enclave during initial device setup and fused to that specific processor. They never leave the SoC.

This is a tighter integration than the T2 architecture, where the security chip was a separate IC on the board. On T2 Macs, a failure between the T2 and the CPU could sometimes be bridged. On Apple Silicon, the encryption controller and storage controller share the same die. Any failure that prevents the SoC from initializing blocks all access to the NAND.

The same constraint applies to Microsoft Surface devices where BitLocker keys are bound to the TPM. The recovery approach is identical: repair the board to restore the security processor, let it decrypt in place, then image the data.

Diagnostic Methodology

Apple Silicon boards use multi-layer PCBs with tight component spacing. Fault isolation requires systematic instrumentation, not visual inspection.

Bench power supply current profiling: The board is powered from a bench supply at battery voltage. Current draw at each stage of the boot sequence is compared against known-good profiles for that board revision. Abnormal current at a specific boot stage points to the subsystem that is failing. Zero current draw at a stage where the SoC should be active indicates an open circuit or failed voltage regulator upstream.
FLIR thermal fault localization: With the board drawing abnormal current, FLIR thermal imaging identifies which component is converting that current into heat. On Apple Silicon boards, the most common thermal signatures are shorted capacitors on PMIC output rails and failed MOSFETs on the main power path. The thermal camera resolves fault location to individual components in seconds.
Schematic-guided repair: Board schematics map every power rail, signal path, and component value. Once the failed component is identified via thermal imaging, the schematic confirms what replacement value is needed and whether adjacent components may also be affected. JBC microsoldering equipment replaces the failed component under microscope. The repair targets only the minimum needed for the SoC to initialize and decrypt.

Board Repair as Data Recovery

Fault isolation: Bench power supply current profiling, FLIR thermal imaging, and schematic-guided multimeter probing to identify the specific failed component. Common failure points on Apple Silicon boards include power management IC failures, SoC connection issues from drop or liquid damage, and failed passive components on critical voltage rails.
Targeted repair: Only the failed components are replaced using JBC microsoldering equipment under microscope. The SoC, NAND, and their cryptographic pairing remain untouched. The goal is not a full repair to daily-use condition; it only needs to reach a state where the Secure Enclave initializes.
Data transfer: Once the SoC can initialize, the Secure Enclave decrypts the NAND and macOS or Apple Configurator allows data transfer to an external drive via Thunderbolt. The data is imaged to a safe destination, and the recovery is complete.

Recovery Examples

Recovery examples from our lab are being documented and will be added here.

SSD Recovery Pricing

Apple Silicon Mac recovery follows our standard SSD recovery pricing tiers. Free evaluation, firm quote before work begins. No data = no charge. Call (512) 212-9111.

Service Tier	Price	Description
Simple CopyLow complexity	$200	Your drive works, you just need the data moved off it Functional drive; data transfer to new media Rush available: +$100
File System RecoveryLow complexity	From $250	Your drive isn't showing up, but it's not physically damaged File system corruption. Visible to recovery software but not to OS Starting price; final depends on complexity
Circuit Board RepairMedium complexity – PC-3000 required	$600–$900	Your drive won't power on or has shorted components PCB issues: failed voltage regulators, dead PMICs, shorted capacitors May require a donor drive (additional cost)
Firmware RecoveryMedium complexity – PC-3000 required	$900–$1,200	Your drive is detected but shows the wrong name, wrong size, or no data Firmware corruption: ROM, modules, or system files corrupted Price depends on extent of bad areas in NAND
Advanced Board RebuildHigh complexity – precision microsoldering and BGA rework	$1,200–$1,500	Your drive's circuit board is severely damaged and requires advanced micro-soldering Advanced component repair. Micro-soldering to revive native logic board or utilize specialized vendor protocols 50% deposit required upfront; donor drive cost additional

Hardware Repair vs. Software Locks

Our "no data, no fee" policy applies to hardware recovery. We do not bill for unsuccessful physical repairs. If we replace a hard drive read/write head assembly or repair a liquid-damaged logic board to a bootable state, the hardware repair is complete and standard rates apply. If data remains inaccessible due to user-configured software locks, a forgotten passcode, or a remote wipe command, the physical repair is still billable. We cannot bypass user encryption or activation locks.

All tiers: Free evaluation and firm quote before any paid work. No data, no fee on all tiers (advanced board rebuild requires a 50% deposit because donor parts are consumed in the attempt).

Target drive: The destination drive we copy recovered data onto. You can supply your own or we provide one at cost. All prices are plus applicable tax.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you recover data from a dead M1/M2/M3/M4 MacBook?

If the SoC (System on Chip) and its Secure Enclave are intact, yes. Board-level repair restores the power delivery and signal paths the SoC needs to initialize, decrypt the NAND, and serve the data. If the SoC die itself is cracked or the Secure Enclave is destroyed, the encryption keys are lost permanently.

Why can't the NAND chips be moved to another Apple Silicon Mac?

The Secure Enclave inside the M-series SoC generates unique AES-256 XTS encryption keys during initial setup. These keys are fused to that specific processor and never leave the chip. Moving NAND to a different SoC produces only encrypted ciphertext. There is no known method to extract or transfer Secure Enclave keys between processors.

Is Apple Silicon recovery harder than T2 recovery?

The encryption model is similar, but the board layout is different. T2 Macs have the security chip as a separate IC on the board, while Apple Silicon integrates everything into the SoC. The diagnostic approach is the same: bench power supply analysis, thermal imaging, schematic-guided probing. The repair targets different components but follows the same methodology.

What happens to my data if the SoC is damaged?

If the SoC's Secure Enclave is physically destroyed, the AES-256 XTS encryption keys are lost. The NAND contents become permanently encrypted ciphertext with no viable decryption path. This is by design; Apple's security architecture ensures that physical destruction of the processor makes data unrecoverable. If you suspect SoC damage, do not attempt DIY repair, as heat from improper rework can damage the Secure Enclave.