Tired of limited storage on your Mac Mini? This guide will show you how to seamlessly add 1TB of storage using an external SSD, optimize your setup, and even recover your files in case of an unexpected drive crash.

Step 1: Connect and Format External SSD

• Connect a 1TB external SSD (e.g., Crucial X10 Pro) to your Mac Mini.
• Format the SSD using APFS (Apple File System) to ensure compatibility.

Step 2: Create Local User Account

• Create a new local user account (e.g., “mini”).
• Set the user type as “Administrator” and enter your password.

Step 3: Change Home Directory

• Right-click on the newly created user account and select “Advanced Options”.
• Under “Home Directory”, navigate to your external SSD and select it.

Step 4: Move User Files and Folders

• Show hidden files and folders (Command + Shift + Period).
• Copy all files and folders from the “mini” folder on your internal drive to the same folder on your external SSD.

Step 5: Install Applications and Customize Settings

• Now, you can use your external SSD as your primary drive.
• Install applications, store documents, and customize settings directly on the SSD.

Step 6: Set Up Time Machine Backup

• Connect a separate SSD for Time Machine backups.
• Enable Time Machine and select your backup drive.
• Remove your external SSD from the exclusion list.

Step 7: Test and Restore Drive

• Unplug your external SSD to simulate a drive crash.
• Restore your Mac Mini to its previous state using Time Machine.
• Copy the “X10 Pro” folder from your Time Machine drive to your new SSD.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can significantly expand your Mac Mini’s storage capacity and optimize your workflow. Remember, manually moving files can be tedious, but changing your user profile’s home directory to your external SSD offers convenience. Either option has advantages and disadvantages, so choose the one that best suits your needs.