Same thought here. You almost have to disassemble the entire iMac! Holy God! I'm not afraid to do this type of surgery (I already had a very complicated one many years ago when changing the internal battery of a Titanium), but... just to UPGRADE Apple's RAM? In the past Mac's were designed with simplicity in mind. Now all is the opposite. Why? We miss Steve Jobs.
I have upgraded the RAM many times on three previous iMacs I owned. I remember when upgrading was as simple as removing a small panel from the bottom (or back) and replacing the memory modules. Maybe took 5 minutes. My mid-2011 iMac was a piece of cake. I even upgraded to a SSD and it was not difficult. The instructional videos by OWC are excellent. So now I have my 2017, iMac 18.1 and I don't think Apple could make it more complex to do. I contacted my Apple dealer and they don't even to memory upgrades. It's not worth their time. It would appear that Apple is making it more and more difficult for users to do any upgrades to their computers. I've been a loyal Apple fan since the Apple IIe days and have owned about 12 different computers but their pursuit of making their computers as thin as possible and impossible to service is a joke. I have no problem doing this and enjoy the challenge but some of Apple's design decisions are asinine. I'm a photographer and the new iMacs don't even have an SD slot! It was bad enough when they moved it from the side to the back.
And your Apple dealer is right. Consuming so much time just to... upgrade iMac memory! 75 minutes of surgery to only... change a module! Holy God! Aaarghhh! We miss you Steve (Jobs)!
I think the 2019 is even more convoluted - I'm going to upgrade my 2017 first, then Ram and HDD on my 2019. not looking forward to either, to be honest. Yeah, the 2012-ish just required taking off the access plate on the bottom for the memory - Like 5 minutes to upgrade. This hot mess is another story.
@@midisqusdisqus802 Miss Jobs, too. Now the Apple M-series CPU makes it even harder for software engineers to use VMWare for work so many developers in my company switched to Windows PC because of that. Apple MacBook are left to people (like sales, marketing, PMs) who don't need to run development tools. Pity... Mac mini and early iMac are the best time I have with Apple Mac products.
At around 11:30, putting the logic board back into place. An important step is missing: connect at least two cables into the ports in the back to align the logic board with the body. Without this, you can correctly screw the logic board back in but it will be slightly misaligned and you can’t connect any of the ports in the back. Ask me how I found out?
Wish I had read this first!! The thunderbolt port I use for my second screen is now not working!! One I plug an external drive into does but if I plug the hdmi cable in as well they both fail!! Looks like I will have to take the screen off again!! :(
I'm old enough to remember when iMacs had a little door on their bottom, which allowed you to *E-A-S-I-L-Y* upgrade the RAM. Took all of two minutes. One screwdriver. Apple has gone to hell.
What pisses me off is that they could have very easily engineered a removable port in the case over the memory modules as they are flush with the back of the case anyway. They’re purposefully making it difficult
Yes... making it difficult on purpose. Because if you analyze the video, you end up with the RAM modules facing the back of the case. In a 27-inch model they simplified the procedure, but in the 21.5-inch model... they push you to "think twice" if you investigate beforehand how to expand your RAM memory. Too bad Apple!
Great guide! Went from 4gb ram to 32gb. Only problem I had was the one power cable under the logic board you had to squeeze to pull out. After twenty minutes it finally did lol don’t squeeze from the back of the tab, squeeze at the short front bit.
Thanks for the comment, glad to see your installation went successfully! It can be a little tricky once it comes to re-sealing but the rest of the installation is fairly simple. Please let us know if you need help with anything else!
I've been building PCs for over 20 years. It is beyond ridiculous to go through this many steps to install RAM - about the most basic of upgrades. Most desktops and laptops are easier than this. Unless the idea is to keep folks from upgrading in the first place.
Thank you for taking the time to make this video, it has persuaded me not to bother trying to upgrade my iMac. How hard would it have been to have an access panel at the rear (Obv they dont wan't you upgrading it at all, maybe I could make one with my dremel lol !?!). As memory upgrades go, this is by far the most insane I have ever seen. So many possibilities for a bad ending, from a cracked screen to getting electrocuted. Only thing I think I could add is If I ever did get that far I would change the CMOS battery while I was in there.
I must say I electrocuted the shit out of myself doing this thank god I was wearing a grounding cable... I accidentally touched the power supply bear handed... 😅
When they got to the part of the video where they finally pull the logic board I couldn’t help staring at the wide open section of metal that is the actual back of the iMac. You know, the spot where Apple could have easily put an access panel. They have become the polar opposite of the company they once were. Great video from OWC, but there’s just way too many points where a connector is not going to come loose, or a screw will get stripped, etc. for me to justify attempting this.
Just succeeded in upgrading the RAM modules…thanks a lot for this video. It took me nearly three hours and had to keep my nerves steady but it was worth the challenge. In any case I shall curse for ever Apple’s engineering ‘genius’ and their greedy marketing policies. 🤣
Completed the upgrade in a couple of hours with no issues at all. If I do this to another iMac I think I will be able to complete in an hour easily. I also replaced the HD with a 1 TB SSD and replaced CMOS battery while I had it open. If you have an older iMac I highly recommend doing all this. For around $200 USD I now have a mac that can keep up with my newer macbook pro easily, minus the processing power you get from M1. Unless you really need to do heavy lifting for CAD or gfx work, the processor isn't going to be a deal breaker. So happy I did this.
Hey William, We're glad to hear that the installation was great and that our installation video was very helpful for you. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions, comments, or concerns. eshop.macsales.com/Service/
Thank you OWC! I just got the kit in the mail today and installed the new RAM, watching this how to video several times. I went from 8GB ram to 32GB today and I am so pumped up!
Miguel, That is awesome to hear that you were able to upgrade your RAM from 8GB to 32GB!! We really hope you enjoy the new RAM upgrade in your machine!
Pro tip: If you're going through this process to upgrade your memory, also replace that old SATA drive with an SSD at the same time since you have everything ripped open already.
The short answer is it’s a pain in the butt. Although if you are mechanically inclined and have patience like a Venus Fly Trap it’s doable. Wait? Do they have patience? OWC continues to be a great company and I hope they can diversify as Apple moves away from a company who thinks about the user. I’ve been a diehard Apple fan for 30 years but each year I loose a little more faith. Apple is solely focused on profit and their customers are no longer the main focus. The passing of their founder? Maybe but I think it goes deeper than that. A billion dollar company manufacturing in China? God Bless… not America. P.S. I was able to upgrade my daughter’s computer put it back together and when I turned it back on… it didn’t start smoking. Thank you OWC, you obviously still have a soul.
Is it a reason you didn’t replace the ram from the back of the imac where you push the button and there is a slot that comes off instead of taking screen off the long way? Not being smart just asking from others I seen, or is the 27 inch and 21 inch ram replacers different?
Hey Doffy, That is a great question, and many have wondered the same. Unfortunately, since 2012, Apple decided to design the 21.5" iMacs without a back door for RAM upgrades. This means the only way to upgrade the RAM in the 2012 and later 21.5" iMacs is through a more involved process that requires opening the machine.
hello great video!, i have imac 21.5 4K 2017 model A1418 3GHz 8gb ram. i can change to 32GB ram or more? and ssd i can change to 1TB samsung evo870? Thank for answer :)
Hello Shon Yagutilov, For your iMac you can change out the memory to the max of 64GB, we have provided you the memory upgrade link below. eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/imac-2017-21.5-inch Now for the SSD it would depend on how you purchased the iMac. If you purchased it with a HDD yes you should have no issues with installing that Samsung drive but now if you purchased the iMac custom with a NVMe SSD you will not be able to install that Samsung drive due to the iMac not having a SATA connector in the mac 21.5-inch iMac models that came with a factory-installed SSD or Fusion drive.
There could be some possible incompatibility issues, this is why we recommend using the memory here: eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/imac-2017-21.5-inch, as this is both compatible and will work best inside that machine.
Hey Redtails, unfortunately the 21.5" models being physically smaller than the 27" doesn't allow for easy access since they have to move where the RAM is. Why they couldn't have put a door where they moved it? I'm not sure, but for the 21.5" models it's unfortunately a big hassle to upgrade.
@OWC can you also provide links to JUST the tools needed for memory installation of 21.5-inch iMac (Mid 2017)? Already have the memory, but want to make sure I have all the tools before I begin instillation.
The maximum RAM for the 2017 iMac 21.5" varies depending on the specific model you own. For the 4K model, the maximum is 64GB, while the base model tops out at 32GB. If you're unsure about your model, feel free to contact us with your serial number, and we'll gladly confirm it for you. Alternatively, you can use MacTracker, an app you can download on your iMac, to check the maximum RAM your model supports. We're here to assist however we can! eshop.macsales.com/Service/
Which speed of RAM is compatible with iMac 2017 base 21’ inch which is non retina non 5K non 27 inch model. I need to make a choice between 2133, 2400, 2666, 3200 Mhz for intel i5 2.3 ghz 7th gen processor. But unable find the answer anywhere to be precise if this can be upgraded to a higher speed of RAM. Please advise
The RAM that we provide for this model is a 2400. I would recommend reaching out to Apple to ask if it is possible to have a higher speed in this model.
Great video. I'll bookmark it. But the odds of attempting it are not high. I know myself. Regardless of task I can do everything awesome then make 1 or 2 silly mistakes. This project requires 100%. I think I'll be content with my 16 GB.
We are glad that you like our video. We do not recommend that you do the upgrade yourself if you are not confident with doing the upgrade. We do offer to do the upgrade for you if you decide you want the upgrade. Just give us a call and we can provide you with pricing.
Thank you for reaching out to OWC about our installation video. Thank you for your feedback! We always appreciate the feedback we get from our customers regarding our videos with tips and tricks learned along the way. Please let us know if you have any questions or feedback!
I would find out exactly where the ram is located from the back of it. I mean map it out exactly. Draw a square/rectangle on the back a little larger than exactly where the ram is located. Search for the best way to make the to be new ram access door detachable and remountable. Probably rubber seal or 3d printing. Drill one hole at each corner of the drawn on rectangle/square. Possibly in a some other spots as well. Find a way to run a dremel with the smallest bit possible attached to a sweeper hose and attached to something that will guide it along a straight line. Aslo only deep enough to go through the back panel. Then cut out the rest of rectangle. Stopping half way to tape what has been cut to the rest of the back. Take some measurements for the gap cover. Upgrade the ram. Testing the new ram. Confirm, create, and test the new door latch mechanism. Find the best way to monetize the whole procedure for the most ease of the buyer.
We are so very sorry for any troubles or inconvenience this has caused you. Going forward, we would like to work with you directly if you can please reach out to us on the link below. We hope to hear from you soon on resolving this. eshop.macsales.com/Service/support
Take it all apart put it all back together and then find out one or both new sticks is defective?! a door in the back like the 27 inch makes this delicate surgery unnecessary.
We completely agree, but regrettably, Apple has chosen to make the installation process a bit challenging for both consumers and third-party upgrade companies like us.
This is a great instructional video to prepare yourself and to follow along during the upgrade. Some of the cables and connections can be tighter than what it seems here. Just take your time and be careful.
Our OWC installation videos are intentionally slow to be easy to follow even for our most novice customers. We want our installation instructions to help, not intimidate!
Certainly! We have two options available: The first kit includes adhesive and memory, which you can find here: eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/2421DDR4S32P/ The second kit includes memory, tools, suction cups, microfiber cloth, OWC Screen Removal Tool, and adhesive strips, available here:eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/2421DDR4S32K/
Hello José Manuel, If you reach out to us at support@macsales.com or via phone (800)275.4576 we can double check what is the correct memory upgrade we can provide you and if your 21.5" iMac can take the 2600MHz memory.
Thank you for the comment. It is a lengthy process, but it’s totally doable and worth it, in the long run. I find that working at your own pace and pausing the DIY install video from time to time really helps.
I havent done it by myself but want to give a bit of push for thise who are just thinking of doing this: Owning a 27 inch 5k top model I couldnt believe the used 21.5 ac is not faulty being so slow. Then got this change done by a friend, put SSD and 2x 16gb ram in and the 21.5 imac is booting quicker than the high end 27 inch, cuts video and does everything at least the same speed. Amazing! Thanks
After installation ( RAM 32GB and SSD ) my computer does not start. Two green LEDS are OK, the 3rd ( GPU ) does not light. Should I check the PRAM battery and change it?
We would recommend testing a PRAM reset and/or an SMC reset first. Also, please clean the contacts of the memory then reinstall them. For more information on trouble shooting, please feel free to reach out to our support team on the link below. eshop.macsales.com/Service/support
Mine wouldn't boot after installing the 2x16gb so I had to reinstall the old 1x8 stick. I tried resetting smc but that didn't help. A lot of work wasted however at least I was able to upgrade the hdd to an ssd.
Thanks a lot, it is an excellent tutorial @OWC. A couple of the screws on the speaker were extremely tight and I had to use a tiny drop of oil to loosen them and come back to it later on so it took a lot longer. As you've mentioned in this post, a good idea is to use tape and reboot to make sure that it works - and then when everything works ok, use the proper sealing tape. (My microphone doesn't work now - which isn't a problem as I always use an external one anyway) but I successfully upgraded to 64 GB RAM.😅😅
@@poweredbyowc Like I said, you deserve the shout-out. We make videos ourselves and we know how time-consuming they are. I've already mentioned your videos to other people who are thinking of upgrading and feel a bit overwhelmed. Thanks again 👍👍
Alright, so I did it. Couple things to add. My computer did not have a hard drive like it shows in the video so it was super easy. The video makes these connectors look big. They are not! Also, I did the whole thing while still having the power supply still attached. I could not for the life of me get the last plug detached. I for sure thought the computer would not work because the power supply banged a bit, here and there. The whole process took about 4 hours, but now I have 32gb instead of 8gb. Also, another helpful tip: have small hands!!!! Unfortunately for me, I have rather big hands 😮
Well Dylan, we are glad to hear the install had gone well! While maybe not as smooth as intended it looks like you're up and running! If you ever have any questions during an installation feel free to give us a call at 1-800-275-4576 and speak to one of our techs we'd be happy to help you out!
We do not recommend that you go 32-64GB if you are not a professional. We only recommend if you are using large RAM requiring Applications and softwares such as photoshop, illustrator and Adobe.
Great video! Very helpful in upgrading my RAM tonight but my 2nd display no longer works. Any ideas on what might have caused this? Could I have forgotten to plug something back in or not plugged in fully? Thanks again for a great video. Couldn’t have done it without all the awesome details!
Yes you can upgrade the memory for your iMac 18.2. Please see this link: eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/2421DDR4S64K/ for the upgrade kit we offer. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Just did this but my iMac won’t boot at all now I swapped both 8gb sticks with 16gb each making a total of 32GB of PNY RAM. Could it be an issue with the computer not being able to handle the full 32GB? Shall I try an 8GB in one slot and 16GB in one slot?
Hi @Sandeep! Have you reached out to the RAM manufacturer already for help? If you purchased the RAM directly from OWC: eshop.macsales.com/Service/ Since the iMac18,2 is spec'd out by Apple for 2 x 16 GB, and we've discovered in the years since that it will accept 2 x 32 GB RAM, I suspect there may be something else in your particular situation that may be causing the behavior.
@@poweredbyowc going to return the PNY ram and purchased OWC now on Amazon let’s see if it works. I did reopen it and put back one of the 8gb sticks along with one 16gb and it booted up however still slow loading programs like Logic Pro when making music. Keep you posted if I have any issues once I put the owc ram in
I upgraded the RAM in my late 2017 21.5” iMac by removing the screen, the cooling fan, and the camera cable, carefully tilting it in its side and replacing the RAM. You don’t have to go through all of this LOL!!! Ridiculous!!!
You're right. I found the video that shows you how to do it. Even if it's a little bit tricky, you can avoid the hassle of almost completely disassembling your iMac. You'll need only FIVE MINUTES to upgrade your iMac's RAM (after the screen remove step, of course). It's up to you.
Agreed, it is a good idea to make sure your cables and connections are all working before you apply the adhesive, just to make sure everything is working. If you need a replacement set of adhesive please give us a call at 1-800-275-4576 and we can assist!
Sorry to hear it was unclear, what part had you struggled with? We might be able to clarify, I'd probably recommend giving us a call if possible at 1-800-275-4576 and speaking with a technician.
Elsa, I'm sorry it took you longer to do the iMac memory upgrade than is shown in the video. Our technicians routinely upgrade memory on all sorts of Macs, so of course they can work more quickly than someone who may not have done a memory upgrade before. On the newer iMacs like the 2017 21.5" OWC does recommend professional installation.
@@poweredbyowc Don't be sorry, so glad that I managed to replace the ram thanks to your video! I am absolutely not technical, but was able to follow along very well.
@@poweredbyowc Yes, I am so glad that you guys uploaded this video, I am doing this tomorrow, my OWC Ram just arrived to Portugal, im installing it myself tomorrow. One question: When I open the iMac (same as in the video), can I change the HDD card to SSD and The new RAM cards too? and then just turn the iMac on again? Thank you
While upgrading my 2017 iMac I removed two 4GB cards. What struck me as being odd the GB cards were not the same. One was made by Crucial and the other one that was black with white lettering, made by ??? .. I don't know the brand, it did have the letter M on the card . Question , should I go back in to my Mac and replace the unknown brand card with my spare Crucial card to pair with the other Crucial card? BTW the Mac seems to be working ok :-/
Apple uses a variety of different manufacturers to outsource different components. My recommendation is that if they are working well, to leave them...or if not...consider an upgrade and upgrading the RAM to a bigger and faster kit.
@@poweredbyowc Thanks, I understand they use different manufacturers. But why did they mix two, being one is Micron MTA4ATF51264HZ-2G3B2 4GB And the other is a Crucial by Micron CT4G4SFS824A.
Bruh i bought 32 gigs of ram and was going to put it in, then I saw this video and I'm just gonna send It back. This also voids the warranty as well so yea.
@@mlthmp possible. I didn’t check into it too much. I just checked on the Apple website and it said no warranty left. But I’m not taking my entire computer apart to upgrade Ram.😂😂😂
You can, however it is quite involved. I would absolutely recommend you watch the install video before purchasing a drive to be sure you are aware of the difficulty: eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/imac-21-inch-2017/?filter=ssd
In Apple Support on May 21st of this year they said that the Memory is not removable by users on iMac (21.5-inch, 2017). Do they only say that because they didn't put the access door on this model?
This is a great question! The imac 21.5" 2017 machine doesn't have the door on the back. While you can upgrade the memory in this machine, this would mean you would need to take the front of the screen off to get to the memory.
@@rickgold6664 And... how do you expect to cut through that back door without damaging the inside of your Mac? Dismantling it completely? Ha ha ha ha ha ha
Hello Prashant, yes the memory is still DDR4 2400MHz SO-DIMM's but the installations are different. The 27" has a hatch in the back you can install after removing the power cable, the 21.5" requires you to open your iMac to replace the memory.
@@jakobward Yeah! At the price they take for upgrading RAM... Ha ha ha ha. Tricks to charge you - and at high prices - for anything. That's the dark part of Apple.
The 21" 2017 model iMac ram definitely can be upgraded following the steps in the video, but also do note it is an advanced installation so may be something you want to have a local technician help take care of.
Great video, I plan to do this and upgrade my iMac, however I can't help think I would be tempted to test it quickly before I actually stick the screen back on
If it helps, what some do is they will use masking tape or painters tape (something strong enough to stick and hold, but not impossible to get off) to hold the screen in place, they'll boot the computer to make sure it works, and then if it does, then they will finish it up. Just something that may help ya.
Holy cow, 75 minutes for changing the RAM modules is not an upgrade...it's a surgery!!! However, very professional video. Thanks!
Same thought here. You almost have to disassemble the entire iMac! Holy God! I'm not afraid to do this type of surgery (I already had a very complicated one many years ago when changing the internal battery of a Titanium), but... just to UPGRADE Apple's RAM? In the past Mac's were designed with simplicity in mind. Now all is the opposite. Why? We miss Steve Jobs.
Dude, 4 hours
Thank you Apple for making this so easy to do. 🖕
Ikr!😒
Felt like I was taking a car dash apart.
It's easier to punch a hole in the back
wait, does it work like that?
Really? Your mad my friend!
Yep would of been much easier
I have upgraded the RAM many times on three previous iMacs I owned. I remember when upgrading was as simple as removing a small panel from the bottom (or back) and replacing the memory modules. Maybe took 5 minutes. My mid-2011 iMac was a piece of cake. I even upgraded to a SSD and it was not difficult. The instructional videos by OWC are excellent. So now I have my 2017, iMac 18.1 and I don't think Apple could make it more complex to do. I contacted my Apple dealer and they don't even to memory upgrades. It's not worth their time. It would appear that Apple is making it more and more difficult for users to do any upgrades to their computers. I've been a loyal Apple fan since the Apple IIe days and have owned about 12 different computers but their pursuit of making their computers as thin as possible and impossible to service is a joke. I have no problem doing this and enjoy the challenge but some of Apple's design decisions are asinine. I'm a photographer and the new iMacs don't even have an SD slot! It was bad enough when they moved it from the side to the back.
Same here, cannot believe how hard they make it to remove this thing.. and to top it off my kid's got a bad case of diaper rash!
And your Apple dealer is right. Consuming so much time just to... upgrade iMac memory! 75 minutes of surgery to only... change a module! Holy God! Aaarghhh! We miss you Steve (Jobs)!
Fully agree with you!
I think the 2019 is even more convoluted - I'm going to upgrade my 2017 first, then Ram and HDD on my 2019. not looking forward to either, to be honest. Yeah, the 2012-ish just required taking off the access plate on the bottom for the memory - Like 5 minutes to upgrade. This hot mess is another story.
@@midisqusdisqus802 Miss Jobs, too. Now the Apple M-series CPU makes it even harder for software engineers to use VMWare for work so many developers in my company switched to Windows PC because of that. Apple MacBook are left to people (like sales, marketing, PMs) who don't need to run development tools. Pity... Mac mini and early iMac are the best time I have with Apple Mac products.
Thank you so much from France ! I ordered the kit with 32GB and now my Imac is incredibly fast !
You are most welcome! We are excited to hear that you were able to upgrade your iMac to 32GB of RAM!!
At around 11:30, putting the logic board back into place. An important step is missing: connect at least two cables into the ports in the back to align the logic board with the body. Without this, you can correctly screw the logic board back in but it will be slightly misaligned and you can’t connect any of the ports in the back. Ask me how I found out?
How?
@@amberraining9546 easy
Wish I had read this first!! The thunderbolt port I use for my second screen is now not working!! One I plug an external drive into does but if I plug the hdmi cable in as well they both fail!! Looks like I will have to take the screen off again!! :(
I'm old enough to remember when iMacs had a little door on their bottom, which allowed you to *E-A-S-I-L-Y* upgrade the RAM.
Took all of two minutes. One screwdriver. Apple has gone to hell.
What pisses me off is that they could have very easily engineered a removable port in the case over the memory modules as they are flush with the back of the case anyway. They’re purposefully making it difficult
Yes... making it difficult on purpose. Because if you analyze the video, you end up with the RAM modules facing the back of the case. In a 27-inch model they simplified the procedure, but in the 21.5-inch model... they push you to "think twice" if you investigate beforehand how to expand your RAM memory. Too bad Apple!
Great guide! Went from 4gb ram to 32gb. Only problem I had was the one power cable under the logic board you had to squeeze to pull out. After twenty minutes it finally did lol don’t squeeze from the back of the tab, squeeze at the short front bit.
Thanks for the comment, glad to see your installation went successfully! It can be a little tricky once it comes to re-sealing but the rest of the installation is fairly simple. Please let us know if you need help with anything else!
Hi, officially its support only 16GB (2x8GB) or I'm wrong and you have 4K model? Please reply why did you go for 32GB and how is working? Many thanks
I've been building PCs for over 20 years. It is beyond ridiculous to go through this many steps to install RAM - about the most basic of upgrades. Most desktops and laptops are easier than this. Unless the idea is to keep folks from upgrading in the first place.
Like a bible... Thank you for publishing this.
Thank you for taking the time to make this video, it has persuaded me not to bother trying to upgrade my iMac. How hard would it have been to have an access panel at the rear (Obv they dont wan't you upgrading it at all, maybe I could make one with my dremel lol !?!). As memory upgrades go, this is by far the most insane I have ever seen. So many possibilities for a bad ending, from a cracked screen to getting electrocuted. Only thing I think I could add is If I ever did get that far I would change the CMOS battery while I was in there.
I like Macs but Apple did a very unfriendly service design. OMG!.. What a nightmare to upgrade your Mac. SHAME ON APPLE 😕👎
Looks simple enough. Yeah right! LOL
I'll still attempt it though.
If you need any help in making that attempt, reach out and let us know, were always happy and ready to help. :)
@@poweredbyowc I appreciate it.
I must say I electrocuted the shit out of myself doing this thank god I was wearing a grounding cable... I accidentally touched the power supply bear handed... 😅
💪 Installation warrior scars😉. We're glad you are okay. 😆
Everything’s working but the thunderport, what did I miss?
Hallo ich hatte das selbe Problem habs aber gelöst bekommen
When they got to the part of the video where they finally pull the logic board I couldn’t help staring at the wide open section of metal that is the actual back of the iMac. You know, the spot where Apple could have easily put an access panel. They have become the polar opposite of the company they once were. Great video from OWC, but there’s just way too many points where a connector is not going to come loose, or a screw will get stripped, etc. for me to justify attempting this.
We agree with you. But at OWC, our goal is to make installations more manageable and customer-friendly.
Fantastic tutorial!! Thank you!!
You're very welcome. Glad to hear that our installation video was helpful.
Just succeeded in upgrading the RAM modules…thanks a lot for this video. It took me nearly three hours and had to keep my nerves steady but it was worth the challenge. In any case I shall curse for ever Apple’s engineering ‘genius’ and their greedy marketing policies. 🤣
Wow!! Apple really put the screws to customers on this!!
Mid 2011 iMac 27” is a breeze to work on, upgrade, compared to this!!
Completed the upgrade in a couple of hours with no issues at all. If I do this to another iMac I think I will be able to complete in an hour easily. I also replaced the HD with a 1 TB SSD and replaced CMOS battery while I had it open. If you have an older iMac I highly recommend doing all this. For around $200 USD I now have a mac that can keep up with my newer macbook pro easily, minus the processing power you get from M1. Unless you really need to do heavy lifting for CAD or gfx work, the processor isn't going to be a deal breaker. So happy I did this.
Hey William, We're glad to hear that the installation was great and that our installation video was very helpful for you. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions, comments, or concerns. eshop.macsales.com/Service/
Do you have the parts to do all this? Thanks great job
Thank you OWC! I just got the kit in the mail today and installed the new RAM, watching this how to video several times. I went from 8GB ram to 32GB today and I am so pumped up!
Miguel, That is awesome to hear that you were able to upgrade your RAM from 8GB to 32GB!! We really hope you enjoy the new RAM upgrade in your machine!
Jedyne co musisz zrobić to rozebrać całego iMac 😂
Ale jak widać do się 💪
Pytanie co tak jest za taśma i gdzie to kupić ?
Pro tip: If you're going through this process to upgrade your memory, also replace that old SATA drive with an SSD at the same time since you have everything ripped open already.
The short answer is it’s a pain in the butt. Although if you are mechanically inclined and have patience like a Venus Fly Trap it’s doable. Wait? Do they have patience? OWC continues to be a great company and I hope they can diversify as Apple moves away from a company who thinks about the user. I’ve been a diehard Apple fan for 30 years but each year I loose a little more faith. Apple is solely focused on profit and their customers are no longer the main focus. The passing of their founder? Maybe but I think it goes deeper than that. A billion dollar company manufacturing in China? God Bless… not America. P.S. I was able to upgrade my daughter’s computer put it back together and when I turned it back on… it didn’t start smoking. Thank you OWC, you obviously still have a soul.
We are glad to hear that the upgrade to your daughter's computer was successful.
Super vidéo
Thank you
😁👍
can i upgrade RAM for imac 18,2 become 8gb+4gb (stock) ? any issue for long term?
Is it a reason you didn’t replace the ram from the back of the imac where you push the button and there is a slot that comes off instead of taking screen off the long way? Not being smart just asking from others I seen, or is the 27 inch and 21 inch ram replacers different?
Hey Doffy,
That is a great question, and many have wondered the same. Unfortunately, since 2012, Apple decided to design the 21.5" iMacs without a back door for RAM upgrades. This means the only way to upgrade the RAM in the 2012 and later 21.5" iMacs is through a more involved process that requires opening the machine.
hello great video!, i have imac 21.5 4K 2017 model A1418 3GHz 8gb ram. i can change to 32GB ram or more? and ssd i can change to 1TB samsung evo870?
Thank for answer :)
Hello Shon Yagutilov,
For your iMac you can change out the memory to the max of 64GB, we have provided you the memory upgrade link below.
eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/imac-2017-21.5-inch
Now for the SSD it would depend on how you purchased the iMac. If you purchased it with a HDD yes you should have no issues with installing that Samsung drive but now if you purchased the iMac custom with a NVMe SSD you will not be able to install that Samsung drive due to the iMac not having a SATA connector in the mac 21.5-inch iMac models that came with a factory-installed SSD or Fusion drive.
Dang. I just went from a 2009 iMac that I put an SSD and upgraded RAM into, to a 2017 Retina. Looks like surgery to upgrade the RAM... Thanks Apple.
That is awesome to hear Jimmy's Garage, we are glad to hear that the upgrades brought your Mac back to life.
Hola, muchas gracias por el video. Habria algun problema de incompatibilidad si le instalo memorias de 2666Mhz? Gracias
There could be some possible incompatibility issues, this is why we recommend using the memory here: eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/imac-2017-21.5-inch, as this is both compatible and will work best inside that machine.
Pro video from OWC, but the people at Apple were like, "no problem, change the RAM in 42 easy steps." Grrrrh!!!
Finally finished, took us about a hour and a half. Great video guys massively appreciated 👍🏻
That is awesome, We're glad that our video was very helpful with your installation. 💪🏽😎
What specs of ram did u used for upgrade?
How to annoy the viewer with over the top processed voice-over. Remove that Waves Vitamine plug-in. 🤯😤
Never understand why Apple made the 27" models so easy to upgrade memory, but then made the 21.5" so difficult.
To incentivize you to either purchase the higher end model or two furnish the cheaper model with obscenely overpriced memory.
@@MortonSeinfeld
Even if it sounds sinister, it seems that you're right Morton.
This is so stupid, why? Greed is why, they want you to take it to an apple shop.
🤐
man wth why isn't there just a door on the back of the machine.
Hey Redtails, unfortunately the 21.5" models being physically smaller than the 27" doesn't allow for easy access since they have to move where the RAM is. Why they couldn't have put a door where they moved it? I'm not sure, but for the 21.5" models it's unfortunately a big hassle to upgrade.
Did the ram thermal pad disappear at some point in the video after putting it on? Looked like it was missing a little later in the video.
We're not seeing it missing, but could have easily missed it with this being a longer video
Not worth doing buy a newer one or refurbished that already has the memory you need. At least iMacs hold there value for reselling.
@OWC can you also provide links to JUST the tools needed for memory installation of 21.5-inch iMac (Mid 2017)? Already have the memory, but want to make sure I have all the tools before I begin instillation.
Hey Des Oliver,
We certainly can below we have provided you the link to the tools needed.
eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIYIMAC212/
Whats the maximum ram capacity of the iMac 2017 21.5 inch
The maximum RAM for the 2017 iMac 21.5" varies depending on the specific model you own. For the 4K model, the maximum is 64GB, while the base model tops out at 32GB. If you're unsure about your model, feel free to contact us with your serial number, and we'll gladly confirm it for you. Alternatively, you can use MacTracker, an app you can download on your iMac, to check the maximum RAM your model supports. We're here to assist however we can!
eshop.macsales.com/Service/
Which speed of RAM is compatible with iMac 2017 base 21’ inch which is non retina non 5K non 27 inch model.
I need to make a choice between 2133, 2400, 2666, 3200 Mhz for intel i5 2.3 ghz 7th gen processor. But unable find the answer anywhere to be precise if this can be upgraded to a higher speed of RAM. Please advise
The RAM that we provide for this model is a 2400. I would recommend reaching out to Apple to ask if it is possible to have a higher speed in this model.
Just to change memory sticks wow! This is why I refer to it as CRAPPLE now. Why they designed it like this is just pure evil.
I'm rapidly going off of Apple products. They used to be innovative and easy. No longer! Good video though.
Great video. I'll bookmark it. But the odds of attempting it are not high. I know myself. Regardless of task I can do everything awesome then make 1 or 2 silly mistakes. This project requires 100%. I think I'll be content with my 16 GB.
We are glad that you like our video. We do not recommend that you do the upgrade yourself if you are not confident with doing the upgrade. We do offer to do the upgrade for you if you decide you want the upgrade. Just give us a call and we can provide you with pricing.
This just proves Apple is looking out for Apple and not the consumer, sad
Unfortunately, that's correct since Steve Jobs is no longer at Apple.
MAKE SURE YOU CUT THE SEAL AROUND THE MIC AT THE BOTTOM OR YOU'LL GET A MUFFLED MIC!!!!!
Thank you for reaching out to OWC about our installation video. Thank you for your feedback! We always appreciate the feedback we get from our customers regarding our videos with tips and tricks learned along the way. Please let us know if you have any questions or feedback!
I just tried updating mine, and it won't turn on. Frustrated.
I would find out exactly where the ram is located from the back of it. I mean map it out exactly.
Draw a square/rectangle on the back a little larger than exactly where the ram is located.
Search for the best way to make the to be new ram access door detachable and remountable. Probably rubber seal or 3d printing.
Drill one hole at each corner of the drawn on rectangle/square. Possibly in a some other spots as well.
Find a way to run a dremel with the smallest bit possible attached to a sweeper hose and attached to something that will guide it along a straight line. Aslo only deep enough to go through the back panel.
Then cut out the rest of rectangle. Stopping half way to tape what has been cut to the rest of the back.
Take some measurements for the gap cover.
Upgrade the ram. Testing the new ram.
Confirm, create, and test the new door latch mechanism.
Find the best way to monetize the whole procedure for the most ease of the buyer.
Sounds like a really fun project, if you happen to have an extra iMac laying around for parts 🙂🔧
@@poweredbyowc Any of the newer 21.5" iMacs with a bad motherboard would work.
What ram do I need for a iMac (21.5-inch, 2017) iMac18,1?? i cant seem to find it
I have linked below the compatible memory for your iMac 18,1.
eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/imac-2017-21.5-inch
MY GOSH THATS A BAD APPLE Maybe one of the worst RAM locations yet. not quite as easy as a G3/4 Tower
Thanks for the warning. Yes , piece of cake to upgrade by the looks of it..;)
🤣
i have a problem, after I upgrade my ram, my iMac read only 16 instead of 32 gb -.- I have iMac 2017 21,5, 2,3 Hz
We are so very sorry for any troubles or inconvenience this has caused you. Going forward, we would like to work with you directly if you can please reach out to us on the link below. We hope to hear from you soon on resolving this.
eshop.macsales.com/Service/support
Take it all apart put it all back together and then find out one or both new sticks is defective?! a door in the back like the 27 inch makes this delicate surgery unnecessary.
We completely agree, but regrettably, Apple has chosen to make the installation process a bit challenging for both consumers and third-party upgrade companies like us.
This is a great instructional video to prepare yourself and to follow along during the upgrade. Some of the cables and connections can be tighter than what it seems here. Just take your time and be careful.
Did you do it successfully?
Am I the only one that checked his watch to see how long it took for the guy to do it with his experience? Well, thanks but thanks not.
Our OWC installation videos are intentionally slow to be easy to follow even for our most novice customers. We want our installation instructions to help, not intimidate!
can i get the kit with 1, 2x16 memory. And does the kit come with adhesive.
Certainly! We have two options available:
The first kit includes adhesive and memory, which you can find here: eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/2421DDR4S32P/
The second kit includes memory, tools, suction cups, microfiber cloth, OWC Screen Removal Tool, and adhesive strips, available here:eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/2421DDR4S32K/
As a 16y/o this is too much work lol all I could get to is the harddrive and upgrade it
Thanks for this, think I’ll stick with 8gb‼️
You are welcome! We completely understand that this upgrade is not for everyone!
My iMac, 21.5" accept 2133 MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM. ¿Can I to use a memory with 2600 MHz? I don't find a 2133 MHz memory.
Hello José Manuel, If you reach out to us at support@macsales.com or via phone (800)275.4576 we can double check what is the correct memory upgrade we can provide you and if your 21.5" iMac can take the 2600MHz memory.
I own 2009 and 2017 .it was easy on 2009.I was wondering how to upgrade on 2017 ,
but It is a quite,,,,,long process isn it..XD
Thank you for the comment. It is a lengthy process, but it’s totally doable and worth it, in the long run. I find that working at your own pace and pausing the DIY install video from time to time really helps.
Is the ram thermal pad conductive? Do you sell it? I am trying to find a replacement. Thank you.
does this tutorial work for a 27in Mid 2017 iMac as well?
Awesome vid. Had a customer give me one of these and wanted to upgrade the memory. Thank you for all your effort. Much appreciated.
Glad we can help!
Thanks for this, used this guide to upgrade my moms computer sucessfully.
Yes sir, what was Apple thinking? This is do it yourself gig or not !
I havent done it by myself but want to give a bit of push for thise who are just thinking of doing this:
Owning a 27 inch 5k top model I couldnt believe the used 21.5 ac is not faulty being so slow. Then got this change done by a friend, put SSD and 2x 16gb ram in and the 21.5 imac is booting quicker than the high end 27 inch, cuts video and does everything at least the same speed.
Amazing! Thanks
Sometimes putting in a new SSD and RAM is all the computer needs for a little boost!
After installation ( RAM 32GB and SSD ) my computer does not start. Two green LEDS are OK, the 3rd ( GPU ) does not light. Should I check the PRAM battery and change it?
We would recommend testing a PRAM reset and/or an SMC reset first. Also, please clean the contacts of the memory then reinstall them. For more information on trouble shooting, please feel free to reach out to our support team on the link below.
eshop.macsales.com/Service/support
Mine wouldn't boot after installing the 2x16gb so I had to reinstall the old 1x8 stick. I tried resetting smc but that didn't help. A lot of work wasted however at least I was able to upgrade the hdd to an ssd.
Any difference with the new SSD?
Thanks a lot, it is an excellent tutorial @OWC. A couple of the screws on the speaker were extremely tight and I had to use a tiny drop of oil to loosen them and come back to it later on so it took a lot longer. As you've mentioned in this post, a good idea is to use tape and reboot to make sure that it works - and then when everything works ok, use the proper sealing tape. (My microphone doesn't work now - which isn't a problem as I always use an external one anyway) but I successfully upgraded to 64 GB RAM.😅😅
We're glad to hear our tutorial was very helpful with the memory upgrade on your iMac. 😎
@@poweredbyowc Like I said, you deserve the shout-out. We make videos ourselves and we know how time-consuming they are. I've already mentioned your videos to other people who are thinking of upgrading and feel a bit overwhelmed. Thanks again 👍👍
🔥😎😁🎉🔥
What is Apple's problem?
Alright, so I did it. Couple things to add. My computer did not have a hard drive like it shows in the video so it was super easy. The video makes these connectors look big. They are not! Also, I did the whole thing while still having the power supply still attached. I could not for the life of me get the last plug detached. I for sure thought the computer would not work because the power supply banged a bit, here and there. The whole process took about 4 hours, but now I have 32gb instead of 8gb. Also, another helpful tip: have small hands!!!! Unfortunately for me, I have rather big hands 😮
Well Dylan, we are glad to hear the install had gone well! While maybe not as smooth as intended it looks like you're up and running! If you ever have any questions during an installation feel free to give us a call at 1-800-275-4576 and speak to one of our techs we'd be happy to help you out!
Doesn't seem like 32-64GB would really be necessary.
We do not recommend that you go 32-64GB if you are not a professional. We only recommend if you are using large RAM requiring Applications and softwares such as photoshop, illustrator and Adobe.
Great video! Very helpful in upgrading my RAM tonight but my 2nd display no longer works. Any ideas on what might have caused this? Could I have forgotten to plug something back in or not plugged in fully?
Thanks again for a great video. Couldn’t have done it without all the awesome details!
You may want to check if another Display has the same issues if the other display does the same thing you may have not connected the ports correctly.
For my Imac 21.5 2017 Retina 4k (18,2) can i upgrade the memory to 64 gb?
Yes you can upgrade the memory for your iMac 18.2. Please see this link: eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/2421DDR4S64K/ for the upgrade kit we offer. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Great video and I even bought my extra Ram from you as well. My iMac 🖥 is now super fast!!! 😎 thank you!!
Thank you for the feedback and happy to hear you liked the video. A Ram upgrade really does make a world of difference. Enjoy your Super Fast iMac 😎
thank you for the video it was so helpful
Just did this but my iMac won’t boot at all now I swapped both 8gb sticks with 16gb each making a total of 32GB of PNY RAM. Could it be an issue with the computer not being able to handle the full 32GB? Shall I try an 8GB in one slot and 16GB in one slot?
Hi @Sandeep! Have you reached out to the RAM manufacturer already for help? If you purchased the RAM directly from OWC: eshop.macsales.com/Service/ Since the iMac18,2 is spec'd out by Apple for 2 x 16 GB, and we've discovered in the years since that it will accept 2 x 32 GB RAM, I suspect there may be something else in your particular situation that may be causing the behavior.
@@poweredbyowc going to return the PNY ram and purchased OWC now on Amazon let’s see if it works. I did reopen it and put back one of the 8gb sticks along with one 16gb and it booted up however still slow loading programs like Logic Pro when making music. Keep you posted if I have any issues once I put the owc ram in
Grazie per questo utile video. Complimenti!
I upgraded the RAM in my late 2017 21.5” iMac by removing the screen, the cooling fan, and the camera cable, carefully tilting it in its side and replacing the RAM. You don’t have to go through all of this LOL!!! Ridiculous!!!
That is nice to hear that you were able to find another way to do the install of the memory that worked for you.
You're right. I found the video that shows you how to do it. Even if it's a little bit tricky, you can avoid the hassle of almost completely disassembling your iMac. You'll need only FIVE MINUTES to upgrade your iMac's RAM (after the screen remove step, of course). It's up to you.
Excellent tutorial video, cannot fault it, with the one exception to test things before refitting the screen permanently. Thank you
Agreed, it is a good idea to make sure your cables and connections are all working before you apply the adhesive, just to make sure everything is working. If you need a replacement set of adhesive please give us a call at 1-800-275-4576 and we can assist!
Kind of wished the screws were clear to see putting it back….
Sorry to hear it was unclear, what part had you struggled with? We might be able to clarify, I'd probably recommend giving us a call if possible at 1-800-275-4576 and speaking with a technician.
Why is it so easy on the iMac Mid 2017 5k model 😭😭😭
That is a great question for Apple. The 27" iMac are so simple but the 21.5" iMac is very in-depth installation.
was someone here succesful to do it?
Yes, but took me lot longer than on the video
Elsa, I'm sorry it took you longer to do the iMac memory upgrade than is shown in the video. Our technicians routinely upgrade memory on all sorts of Macs, so of course they can work more quickly than someone who may not have done a memory upgrade before. On the newer iMacs like the 2017 21.5" OWC does recommend professional installation.
@@poweredbyowc Don't be sorry, so glad that I managed to replace the ram thanks to your video! I am absolutely not technical, but was able to follow along very well.
We are glad to be able to provide everything needed to upgrade your iMac!
@@poweredbyowc Yes, I am so glad that you guys uploaded this video, I am doing this tomorrow, my OWC Ram just arrived to Portugal, im installing it myself tomorrow.
One question: When I open the iMac (same as in the video), can I change the HDD card to SSD and The new RAM cards too? and then just turn the iMac on again?
Thank you
While upgrading my 2017 iMac I removed two 4GB cards. What struck me as being odd the GB cards were not the same. One was made by Crucial and the other one that was black with white lettering, made by ??? .. I don't know the brand, it did have the letter M on the card . Question , should I go back in to my Mac and replace the unknown brand card with my spare Crucial card to pair with the other Crucial card? BTW the Mac seems to be working ok :-/
Apple uses a variety of different manufacturers to outsource different components. My recommendation is that if they are working well, to leave them...or if not...consider an upgrade and upgrading the RAM to a bigger and faster kit.
@@poweredbyowc Thanks, I understand they use different manufacturers. But why did they mix two, being one is Micron MTA4ATF51264HZ-2G3B2 4GB And the other is a Crucial by Micron CT4G4SFS824A.
That would be a great question to ask Apple, we would love to know as well. 😉
Great tutorial !!
Bruh i bought 32 gigs of ram and was going to put it in, then I saw this video and I'm just gonna send It back. This also voids the warranty as well so yea.
Aren't most of these out of warranty by now anyway?
@@mlthmp possible. I didn’t check into it too much. I just checked on the Apple website and it said no warranty left. But I’m not taking my entire computer apart to upgrade Ram.😂😂😂
Thank you so much!!!!!
Happy to help!!
I love you! You save me so much money. God bless you! ❤
We love you too!!! We are so glad that we could help save you some money! That's always great to hear!
hello can I also replace the hard drive (for ssd)?
You can, however it is quite involved. I would absolutely recommend you watch the install video before purchasing a drive to be sure you are aware of the difficulty:
eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/imac-21-inch-2017/?filter=ssd
In Apple Support on May 21st of this year they said that the Memory is not removable by users on iMac (21.5-inch, 2017). Do they only say that because they didn't put the access door on this model?
This is a great question! The imac 21.5" 2017 machine doesn't have the door on the back. While you can upgrade the memory in this machine, this would mean you would need to take the front of the screen off to get to the memory.
Cut it your own back door.
Ez’r than removing everything!
@@rickgold6664
And... how do you expect to cut through that back door without damaging the inside of your Mac? Dismantling it completely? Ha ha ha ha ha ha
@@midisqusdisqus802 I used my Dremel. Ha ha ha!
@@rickgold6664
??? Well, everyone DAMAGES/RUINS their iMac as they want...
ya no
Is RAM on iMac 2017 27-inch and 21-inch are same?
Hello Prashant Balasubramaniam,
The mid-2017 27" iMac (18,2 & 18,3) would take the same RAM modules as the mid-2017 21.5" iMac 18,1
Hello Prashant, yes the memory is still DDR4 2400MHz SO-DIMM's but the installations are different. The 27" has a hatch in the back you can install after removing the power cable, the 21.5" requires you to open your iMac to replace the memory.
Ty
Why didn't Apple just sell those units with the max amount of RAM??!!
Because they would have cost $2000 more...
@@jakobward Yeah! At the price they take for upgrading RAM... Ha ha ha ha. Tricks to charge you - and at high prices - for anything. That's the dark part of Apple.
Bra What ?!!! Reallly ?
The 21" 2017 model iMac ram definitely can be upgraded following the steps in the video, but also do note it is an advanced installation so may be something you want to have a local technician help take care of.
Great video, I plan to do this and upgrade my iMac, however I can't help think I would be tempted to test it quickly before I actually stick the screen back on
If it helps, what some do is they will use masking tape or painters tape (something strong enough to stick and hold, but not impossible to get off) to hold the screen in place, they'll boot the computer to make sure it works, and then if it does, then they will finish it up. Just something that may help ya.
All I did was remove the panel from the back and install two 16GB RAM Cards, I now have 40 Gigs of Ram on my 2017 5k iMac.