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There is a lot of fuzz since Apple introduced non-removable SSDs in 2016. If you are spilling water or dropping the notebook it might be a problem to recover the data, as the SSDs are proprietary (find the Ultimate Guide to Apple’s Proprietary SSDs here).

The T1 and T2 based models differ significantly on how data is recovered (see macrumors).

As i have a water-damaged 2016 MacBook Pro, i was wondering if anyone can direct me to a detailed way of how to extract the data from this model with a T1 chip.

This is the Customer Data Migration Tool connector as seen in the 2016 MacBook Pro. (Source: MacRumors)

Customer Data Migration Tool connector as seen in the 2016 MacBook Pro.

There is an Apple part #076-00236 and it has been discussed on iFixit already. Apple Gazette has a deeper investigation and concludes, that "For A Tool That Apparently Does Not Exist, It Is Popular". There is an actual video of someone opening this apple tool.

It-tech.com.au has even more info on this matter, and more importantly, a circuit diagram for the "LifeBoat".

MacBook Pro touch bar A1707 lifeboat circuit diagram

Anyone tried this successfully at home already? Can you point me to more information and give advice: i want to know if the data extraction is feasible and doable for a person with reasonable DIY and soldering skills.

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  • It seems we would need one question for T1 and T2 unless the tool works on both? Is that what you’re asking or just what you need for one Mac?
    – bmike ♦
    May 16, 2020 at 15:50
  • As far as i know there is no way yet to recover from T2, and this question is related to a T1 Apple Macbook Pro Z0UP, as outlined here vimeo.com/315977796
    – kub7
    May 21, 2020 at 16:09

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If you have the Customer Data Migration Tool, it is actually very simple to use. It does not require any soldering or "DIY" skills. You basically just need a P5 pentalobe screw driver, andto be able to remove the six screws that secures the the lower case.

Note that you say that you're thinking of using it on a water damaged computer. In that case you would want to use a multi-meter to first check that the power lines used by SSD power management IC (and the "Life boat" connector itself) haven't been shorted by the damage.

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  • Can you elaborate on how to "check the power lines", and especially how the "SSD power management IC" look like? I have the tool now, but the drive won't show up.
    – kub7
    May 21, 2020 at 16:04
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This company sells the tool: https://www.thebookyard.com/product.php?manufacturers_id=29&products_id=18467 Ones on eBay are more expensive, as this is a refurb.

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  • Alternative part numbers are labelled B076-00236, 661-05097, 923-01127, B923-00672, 923-01129, 923-01131, 923-01130 -- but actually i got one saying "620-00658" - i am not sure if the one is correct for the macbook pro (T1) which i am trying to recover. Since you were linking this - do you have more info or experience?
    – kub7
    May 21, 2020 at 16:07

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