The right way to reinstall macOS | Macworld | Buff Tech

For those who plan to wipe your Mac as a part of this course of (both since you assume a clear slate may repair the issues you are having, or since you’re promoting the Mac), you may need to again up your necessary paperwork first.

The way you do that will rely on whether or not you need to get your Mac again to the identical model of the Mac working system, or should you have 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 suggestions, learn: The right way 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 make certain every little thing is in iCloud earlier than you delete it!

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

For those who’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 strategy 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 must comply with the steps beneath to erase your drive earlier than you’ll be able to start.

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

In Ventura or later:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Click on Normal.
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 prime of your display.
3. Click on Erase All Content material and Settings.
4. Enter your password.

The remainder of the method is identical:

1. You can 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 will likely 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 doubtful, you’ll be able to a minimum of cease at this level!
5. After clicking the second Erase All Content material and Settings, your Mac will restart. You’ll ultimately see a black display 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 go away it at this stage for the following proprietor to arrange. Simply shut down the Mac first.

Sadly, in case your Mac would not have Monterey put in or would not have a T2 or M-series chip, then it is advisable use Disk Utility to take away your Mac. Observe the following two steps to try this…

For those who’ve already erased your Mac, the following step will present you how you can enter restoration mode.

The method for getting into restoration mode is dependent upon the Mac you might be utilizing.

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

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 dependent upon 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 following 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 (you must entry the drive by Restoration as a result of it’s not potential to delete the drive when you’re accessing it).

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

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

1. Return to Restoration and select Reinstall macOS from the checklist 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. For those who intend to promote or switch the Mac in order that the following proprietor can enter their very own particulars, when the setup wizard begins, exit. In any other case, comply with the directions to proceed establishing your Mac.

The right way 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’ve got put in, there are a number of methods to reinstall a earlier model. We cowl them individually right here: The right way to set up earlier variations of macOS or OS X.

To reinstall macOS utilizing restoration mode, you have to be related to the Web. Observe these steps to hook up with the Web in restoration mode in case your Mac hasn’t related mechanically:

1. Click on on the Wi-Fi menu within the higher proper nook of the display.
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 capable of obtain the macOS set up software program.

If you’re utilizing Web restoration, you will need to 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.