A modder’s attempt to expand an iPhone Air from 256 GB to 1 TB hit iOS errors and mystery NAND chips, highlighting Apple’s limits on DIY storage upgrades.
© A. Krivonosov
Apple has once again made clear that upgrading its devices is a job for the fearless. YouTuber and modder DirectorFeng set out to boost an iPhone Air from 256 GB to 1 TB by soldering in new NAND chips, but hit a serious snag: iOS refused to recognize the replacements.
The iPhone Air’s storage chips carry an unfamiliar serial number not seen before. Based on DirectorFeng’s analysis, Apple may have used leftover YMTC modules, as familiar suppliers like Samsung, SK hynix, Toshiba, and SanDisk no longer provide their chips.
The modder removed the original memory package and installed a 1 TB chip. When the phone was connected to a Mac and an iOS restore was attempted, Error 4014 appeared and halted the process. Tries with 512 GB and 256 GB chips failed as well. With the original module fully erased, the phone was left temporarily unusable.
Taken together, the episode points to a bigger pattern: Apple deliberately limits the path to user-side upgrades, nudging buyers toward official memory options. Even seasoned tinkerers face real risks—and a likely wait for compatible parts—if they try to expand storage on their own.
The takeaway is simple: the iPhone Air offers little room for aftermarket upgrades. For most users, the safest and most reliable choice is to stick with Apple’s official memory configurations rather than experiment with soldering.