Upgrading WD My Passport Wireless Pro to SSD

The WD My Passport Wireless Pro is a versatile portable drive with Wi-Fi, an SD card reader, and a built-in battery, making it a favorite among photographers and mobile users. However, it ships with a traditional spinning HDD, which is slower, more power-hungry, and more prone to mechanical failure than modern solid-state drives (SSDs).

If you're looking to upgrade your My Passport Wireless Pro to an SSD, this guide covers what you need to know: feasibility, tools, steps, and important considerations.

1. Is It Possible to Upgrade?

Yes, it is technically possible to replace the internal HDD with an SSD.

The My Passport Wireless Pro uses a standard 2.5” SATA hard drive inside.

Replacing it with a 2.5” SATA SSD (7mm thick) is straightforward from a hardware perspective.

However, this is not an officially supported upgrade by WD and will void your warranty.

You may need to clone the original drive or perform a system restore using WD tools to ensure the SSD works properly.

2. What You’ll Need

A 2.5” SATA SSD (recommendation: 500GB to 2TB from brands like Samsung, Crucial, WD, etc.)

A set of small screwdrivers (usually Phillips #00)

A SATA-to-USB cable or enclosure (for cloning, optional)

Cloning software (e.g., Clonezilla, Macrium Reflect, or dd if using Linux)

Backup of your data

3. Steps to Upgrade

Step 1: Back Up All Data

Before you begin, back up everything on your My Passport Wireless Pro. You’ll either be cloning the drive or performing a fresh system install.

Step 2: Open the Enclosure

Power off the device.

Remove the rubber strips to access the hidden screws.

Carefully open the enclosure using a plastic spudger.

Locate the 2.5" SATA HDD and unscrew it.

Step 3: Clone or Prepare the SSD

Option A: Clone the Original Drive

Use a cloning tool to duplicate the contents of the old HDD onto the SSD.

This preserves the operating system, settings, and file structure.

Option B: Fresh Install / System Restore

WD provides firmware images that can be copied to the SSD after replacement.

Alternatively, you can reformat the SSD, install WD software manually (via SSH or a USB boot method), and reinitialize the system.

Step 4: Install the SSD

Carefully connect the SSD to the SATA connector inside the device.

Secure it in place using the original screws.

Reassemble the case and reattach the rubber strips.

Step 5: Power On and Test

Power up the device.

Connect to it via USB or Wi-Fi.

Check storage, performance, and access settings.

4. Benefits of the Upgrade

Faster read/write speeds – especially useful for large media files.

Improved battery life – SSDs use less power than spinning disks.

Greater reliability – SSDs have no moving parts and are more shock-resistant.

Less heat and noise – Ideal for mobile and field use.

5. Important Notes

Firmware updates may not work as expected with third-party SSDs.

Make sure the SSD is compatible with SATA II or III interfaces.

You may lose WD's default partition structure if not cloned correctly.

Conclusion

Upgrading your WD My Passport Wireless Pro to an SSD is a great way to breathe new life into the device. While not officially supported, the process is fairly straightforward for tech-savvy users. With faster speeds, better reliability, and enhanced performance, an SSD turns your wireless drive into a much more efficient mobile storage solution.