Can someone explain SSD upgrade in current gen Air?

[Terillius]

Can I upgrade myself? Are the screws "pentalobe"? Is it standard M.2 or not? Can I get the upgrade from Apple directly?

I can't seem to get reliable answers, only links to the same marked up drives.

MQD32LL/A

 

[UnknownSouljer]

Can I upgrade myself? Are the screws "pentalobe"? Is it standard M.2 or not? Can I get the upgrade from Apple directly?

I can't seem to get reliable answers, only links to the same marked up drives.

MQD32LL/A

It's proprietary. Unfortunately Apple didn't decide to adopt the M.2 standard after it became a standard. That basically means sourcing parts from Apple, eBay (usually from pulls from dead hardware), or OWC (which is to my knowledge the only third party Apple hardware manufacturer).
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/macbook-air/2013-2014-2015

If you want to know about the disassembly process, parts, pieces, (screw/pentalobe)drivers that can be found here: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Early+2015+SSD+Replacement/38535
iFixit also sells used Apple SSD's, I just generally find them to be significantly more expensive than sourcing them from eBay.

 

[robvas]

Screws are pentalobe on the case. They changed the drive over the years. 2013-current is what you are looking for

I'd try to find one on eBay. The PCIe aftermarket drives are junk.

T5 screw

 

[Terillius]

Thanks guys, very helpful.

I bought a matching drive on eBay and got it working.

Finding a cost-effective PCIe / M.2 / USB adapter that actually works is not so easy.

 

[abovewood]

At work, we just have a working Mac book air with back plate opened and ready to be used as drive enclosure. Boot from usb to read the internal drive.

 

[Terillius]

At work, we just have a working Mac book air with back plate opened and ready to be used as drive enclosure. Boot from usb to read the internal drive.

Yeah, that's Apple for you. "Just buy another $1000 computer, easy."