Master the Art of a Clean Install- A Comprehensive Guide to Setting Up macOS from Scratch
How to Clean Install macOS: A Step-by-Step Guide
Cleaning installing macOS is a process that involves erasing all the data on your Mac and starting fresh with a clean installation of the operating system. This can be useful for various reasons, such as removing malware, troubleshooting hardware issues, or simply starting with a clean slate. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to clean install macOS on your Mac.
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
- macOS installation media (USB drive or CD/DVD)
- Backup of your important data
- Admin password for your Mac
Step 1: Prepare Your Mac
1.1. Ensure that your Mac has enough battery life to complete the installation process. If it’s not possible, connect it to a power source.
1.2. Make sure that your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection, as the installation process may require downloading updates.
1.3. Back up your important data to an external drive or cloud storage, as the clean install will erase all data on your Mac.
Step 2: Create a Bootable macOS Installer
2.1. Insert the USB drive or CD/DVD into your Mac.
2.2. Open the Disk Utility app by searching for it in Spotlight or navigating to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
2.3. Select the USB drive or CD/DVD in the sidebar.
2.4. Click the “Erase” button and choose the desired format (Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled)).
2.5. Click “Erase” to format the drive.
2.6. Open the macOS installation media and drag the “Install macOS” app to the Applications folder.
2.7. Open the Terminal app by searching for it in Spotlight or navigating to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
2.8. In the Terminal, type the following command and press Enter:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur.app/Contents/MacOS/Install\ macOS --volume /Volumes/YourUSBDriveNameReplace “YourUSBDriveName” with the name of your USB drive or CD/DVD.
Step 3: Boot from the Bootable Installer
3.1. Restart your Mac and hold down the Option (Alt) key while it boots up.
3.2. Select the bootable installer from the list of startup disks.
3.3. Once the installer opens, follow the on-screen instructions to begin the clean install process.
Step 4: Install macOS
4.1. Select the disk where you want to install macOS from the list of available disks.
4.2. Click “Continue” and follow the prompts to install macOS on your Mac.
4.3. Once the installation is complete, your Mac will restart with the new macOS installed.
Step 5: Restore Your Data
5.1. Connect the external drive or cloud storage containing your backup to your Mac.
5.2. Open the “Migration Assistant” app by searching for it in Spotlight or navigating to Applications > Utilities > Migration Assistant.
5.3. Follow the on-screen instructions to restore your data from the backup to your newly installed macOS.
By following these steps, you can successfully clean install macOS on your Mac. Remember to backup your data before proceeding, as the process will erase all data on your Mac.
