How to reinstall macOS | Macworld | Solo Tech

In case you plan to wipe your Mac as a part of this course of (both since you suppose a clear slate would possibly repair the issues you are having, or since you’re promoting the Mac), you would possibly need to again up your necessary paperwork first.

The way you do that will depend upon whether or not you need to get your Mac again to the identical model of the Mac working system, or should you had been hoping to do a clear set up. For instance, if you wish to return to a earlier model of macOS, you do not need to again up with Time Machine. For extra ideas, learn: Tips on how to backup a Mac and the most effective Mac backup software program.

Remember that should you have a tendency to make use of iCloud Drive to sync all of your paperwork and desktop to the cloud, you might not want a backup, however be sure that all the things is in iCloud earlier than you delete it!

In case you plan to promote or switch your Mac, or if you wish to carry out a clear set up of macOS to resolve issues together with your Mac, you may need to erase your onerous drive earlier than reinstalling the working system.

In case you’re working macOS Monterey or later macOS on a Mac with an M-series chip, or an Intel-powered Mac with a T2 chip (some Macs from 2018), there’s a very simple solution to erase your Mac that does not requires you to make use of restoration mode and disk utilities. If in case you have an Intel Mac, you may have to comply with the steps under to erase your drive earlier than you’ll be able to start.

We element how you can wipe your Mac utilizing this technique in a separate article, however here is a abstract:

In Ventura or later:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Click on Basic.
3. Select Switch or Reset.
4. Choose Erase all content material and settings.
5. Enter your password

In Monterrey:

1. Open System Preferences.
2. Click on System Preferences within the menu bar on the high of your display screen.
3. Click on Erase All Content material and Settings.
4. Enter your password.

The remainder of the method is identical:

1. You’ll be reminded to again up with Time Machine earlier than beginning the deletion, however you’ll be able to skip that step.
2. A window will present you what shall be eliminated, together with Apple ID, Contact ID, equipment, and Discover My settings.
3. Lastly, you will have to signal out of your Mac and all companies associated to your Apple ID.
4. Earlier than your Mac is erased, you may get a ultimate warning, so should you’re unsure, you’ll be able to not less than cease at this level!
5. After clicking the second Erase All Content material and Settings, your Mac will restart. You’ll finally see a black display screen because it reboots.
6. As soon as your Mac restarts, you’ll be able to comply with the steps to set it up as new, or you’ll be able to depart it at this stage for the subsequent proprietor to arrange. Simply shut down the Mac first.

Sadly, in case your Mac does not have Monterey put in or does not have a T2 or M-series chip, then it is advisable use Disk Utility to take away your Mac. Comply with the subsequent two steps to do this…

In case you’ve already erased your Mac, the subsequent step will present you how you can enter restoration mode.

The method for coming into restoration mode is determined by the Mac you’re utilizing.

On a Mac with an Intel processor, you could maintain down the Command and R buttons throughout startup till you hear the startup chime and see a spinning globe or the Apple brand.

On a Mac that makes use of Apple’s personal processors, such because the M1 or M2 chip, enter restoration mode by urgent and holding the ability button as your Mac begins up and proceed to press and maintain the button till you see a window seem of startup choices with an choices icon. Then choose Choices and click on Proceed.

A macOS Utilities window, just like the one above, will open with choices to revive from Time Machine backup, reinstall macOS [version], Safari (or Get On-line Assist in earlier variations), and Disk Utility. The next step is determined by whether or not it is advisable erase your Mac earlier than reinstalling the working system. If you wish to erase your disk, click on Disk Utility (in any other case you’ll be able to skip the subsequent step).

If in case you have a Mac with an Intel processor that doesn’t have a T2 chip, you’ll be able to take away your Mac’s onerous drive utilizing Disk Utility accessed by restoration mode (it’s a must to entry the drive by Restoration as a result of it isn’t doable to delete the drive if you end up accessing it).

1. Choose Disk Utility from the choices in restoration mode.
2. Now choose the amount you need to erase. You could have to click on View > Present All Drives earlier than you’ll be able to see the amount. Notice that the method right here is barely completely different should you’re working macOS Catalina or Large Sur. In case you’re not working Catalina, you simply have to delete the Macintosh HD quantity. In case you’re working Catalina or later, there’ll most likely be two volumes named Macintosh HD and Macintosh HD-Knowledge (or probably Residence and Residence – Knowledge). You will want to delete the information quantity first, after which the Macintosh HD. We cowl how to do that right here: Tips on how to Erase and Reformat Your Mac. Keep in mind that it will delete all of your information, so be sure you have your necessary information backed up or saved within the cloud or on an exterior drive.
3. The subsequent step additionally is determined by the model of macOS you are working. In Catalina, Mojave, Large Sur, Monterey, and doubtlessly Excessive Sierra (relying in your Mac) it will likely be APFS. However on older Macs working earlier variations of macOS, the format must be set to Mac OS Prolonged (Journaled). Additionally, you will have to have GUID Partition Desk chosen because the Scheme. (You will not see the Scheme possibility should you solely have the amount chosen.)
4. Click on Delete and wait. (There are alternatives in Safety Choices that mean you can securely erase the drive.)
5. Now select Disk Utility > Give up Disk Utility. Or simply Command + Q.

Comply with these steps to reinstall the newest model of macOS put in in your Mac:

1. Return to Restoration and select Reinstall macOS from the record of choices.
2. Click on Proceed.
3. Enter your Apple ID if needed and wait whereas macOS reinstalls. Anticipate this to take some time.
4. In case you intend to promote or switch the Mac in order that the subsequent proprietor can enter their very own particulars, when the setup wizard begins, exit. In any other case, comply with the directions to proceed organising your Mac.

Tips on how to reinstall a earlier model of macOS

If you wish to return to a earlier model of macOS, maybe since you’re not within the newer model you have put in, there are just a few methods to reinstall a earlier model. We cowl them individually right here: Tips on how to set up earlier variations of macOS or OS X.

To reinstall macOS utilizing restoration mode, you have to be related to the Web. Comply with these steps to connect with the Web in restoration mode in case your Mac hasn’t related routinely:

1. Click on on the Wi-Fi menu within the higher proper nook of the display screen.
2. Choose a Wi-Fi community.
3. Enter the Wi-Fi password (if needed).

Restoration mode ought to now be related to the Web and in a position to obtain the macOS set up software program.

In case you are utilizing Web restoration, you could use a community with WEP or WPA safety. This should not be an issue like most house Wi-Fi networks do, however should you’re on a proxy or PPPoE community, you may have issues.