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Mac RAM: the right memory module for your model
Adding RAM gives a sluggish Mac a new lease of life, as long as you choose the right type of module (DDR3, DDR3L or DDR4) and the right speed, and know whether your Mac accepts an upgrade. Here are, model by model, the modules that fit.
Can your Mac take more RAM?
On many recent Macs, the memory is soldered to the logic board: it cannot be increased after purchase. This applies to:
- all MacBook Air models;
- all Retina MacBook Pro models, since mid-2012, and the 12-inch MacBook;
- the 21.5-inch iMac from 2014 and 2015;
- the 2014 Mac mini;
- all Macs with Apple silicon (M1 and later).
For the others, find your Mac in the tables below. The year is shown under Apple menu > About This Mac, and the installed memory under Apple menu > About This Mac > More Info.
MacBook and MacBook Pro
| Mac | Max RAM | Compatible modules |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook (A1278, 13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) | — | DDR3 1066 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| MacBook Pro (A1286, 15-inch, Late 2008) | — | DDR3 1066 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| MacBook Pro (A1278, 13-inch, Mid 2009) | — | DDR3 1066 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| MacBook White Unibody (A1342, 13-inch, Late 2009) | — | DDR3 1066 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| MacBook Pro (A1286, 15-inch, Mid 2009) | — | DDR3 1066 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| MacBook Pro (A1297, 17-inch, Early 2009 and Mid 2009) | — | DDR3 1066 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| MacBook Pro (A1278, 13-inch, Mid 2010) | — | DDR3 1066 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| MacBook White Unibody (A1342, 13-inch, Mid 2010) | — | DDR3 1066 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| MacBook Pro (A1286, 15-inch, Mid 2010) | — | DDR3 1066 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| MacBook Pro (A1297, 17-inch, Mid 2010) | — | DDR3 1066 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011 and Late 2011) | 16 GB | DDR3 1333 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011 and Late 2011) | 16 GB | DDR3 1333 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011 and Late 2011) | 16 GB | DDR3 1333 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) | 16 GB | DDR3 1600 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012) | 16 GB | DDR3 1600 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
iMac
| Mac | Max RAM | Compatible modules |
|---|---|---|
| iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010) | 16 GB | DDR3 1333 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010) | 32 GB | DDR3 1333 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2011 and Mid 2011) | 16 GB | DDR3 1333 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) | 32 GB | DDR3 1333 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) | 16 GB | DDR3 1600 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| iMac (27-inch, Late 2012) | 32 GB | DDR3 1600 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| iMac (21.5-inch, Early 2013) | 16 GB | DDR3 1600 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013) | 16 GB | DDR3 1600 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| iMac (27-inch, Late 2013) | 32 GB | DDR3 1600 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014 and Mid 2015) | 32 GB | DDR3 1600 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB; DDR3L 1866 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB |
| iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015) | 64 GB | DDR3L 1866 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB |
| iMac (21.5-inch, 2017) | 32 GB | DDR4 2400 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB |
| iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017) | 64 GB | DDR4 2400 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB |
| iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017) | 64 GB | DDR4 2400 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB |
| iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019) | 64 GB | DDR4 2400 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB; DDR4 2666 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB |
| iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019) | 128 GB | DDR4 2666 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB |
| iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) | 128 GB | DDR4 2666 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB |
Mac mini
| Mac | Max RAM | Compatible modules |
|---|---|---|
| Mac mini (A1347, Mid 2010) | — | DDR3 1066 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| Mac mini (Mid 2011) | 16 GB | DDR3 1333 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| Mac mini (Late 2012) | 16 GB | DDR3 1600 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB |
| Mac mini (2018) | 64 GB | DDR4 2666 MHz: 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB |
Mac Pro
| Mac | Max RAM | Compatible modules |
|---|---|---|
| Mac Pro (Mid 2010 and Mid 2012) | — | DDR3 ECC 1333 MHz: 4 GB |
| Mac Pro (Late 2013) | 128 GB | DDR3 ECC 1866 MHz: 4 GB, 16 GB |
| Mac Pro (2019) | 5 TB | DDR4 ECC 2933 MHz: 8 GB |
Choosing the right modules
- Type first: DDR3, DDR3L and DDR4 cannot be mixed. A DDR4 module will not fit in a DDR3 Mac.
- Speed next: use the one in the table. A faster module will generally run at your Mac's speed; a slower one will not.
- In pairs: ideally install two identical modules of the same capacity.
- The maximum: the “Max RAM” column gives the total memory the Mac accepts.
On 27-inch iMacs, the RAM slots are reached through a hatch under the screen. On 21.5-inch iMacs and the 2018 Mac mini, they are inside: you have to open the iMac or take the Mac mini apart.
- Mac too old to update: OpenCore or SSD
- Mac running hot, noisy fan, slow Mac: what to do?
- Mac serial number: find the model and year
- Finding your Mac's model number (A####)
Frequently asked questions
Can you add RAM to a MacBook Air?
No: on every MacBook Air, the memory is soldered to the logic board.
Can you mix a 4 GB and an 8 GB module?
Yes, it generally works, but two identical modules give the best performance.
My Mac won't start after adding RAM: what should I do?
Check that the modules are fully seated and of the right type. Put the original modules back to test. A faulty module, or one of the wrong type, prevents startup.
