The Complete Guide to Installing or Reinstalling macOS

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Learn to install the latest version of macOS, or an older one
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Are you wondering how to upgrade to the latest version of macOS on your computer? Or do you need to do a clean install because something went wrong with your system? Whatever the circumstances are, don’t worry–there are several different ways to install macOS on your Mac (or even your PC!). In this article, we’ll explain the best ways to do it, plus some more unusual options like installing from a bootable flash drive.

The Easiest Ways to Install macOS

To update to the latest macOS, go to Apple menu > System Settings > General > Software Update . If a new version is available, click Update or Upgrade to install it. You can also download macOS from the App Store . If those options aren’t working, start your Mac in Recovery Mode and reinstall macOS from there.

Section 1 of 6:

Updating macOS with Software Update

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  1. 1
    OpenApple menu > System Settings . The easiest way to get the latest version of macOS is with your Mac’s built-in Software Update feature. You can use this method to update your current version of macOS or upgrade to a newer version (if it’s available). To get started, click the Apple menu icon in the top right corner of your screen, then select System Settings . [1]
  2. 2
    Click General . It’s in the sidebar on the left side of the System Settings menu.
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  3. 3
    Select Software Update . You’ll find it in the main panel to the right of the sidebar menu.
    • Using an older version of macOS? The menu might look a little different. Go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update .
  4. 4
    Click the Update or Upgrade button. When you open Software Update, it may take a moment for your Mac to check for available updates or upgrades. Select Update or Upgrade and follow the prompts to install the newest version of macOS.
    • Enter your administrator password when prompted. This is the same password you use to log into your Mac.
    • Wait for the installation to finish without closing your Mac’s lid (if it’s a MacBook) or putting it to sleep. Your Mac will restart when it’s done. It’s normal to see a blank screen or a progress bar several times during this process.
    • If your Mac is already running the latest version of macOS, you’ll see a message saying “Your Mac is up to date.” The current version will be listed underneath this message. If you think that’s incorrect, click the Check for Update button to check again.
  5. 5
    Adjust your update settings (optional). Apple recommends enabling automatic updates to keep your Mac secure and running properly. If you want access to new updates that are still in the beta testing phase, you can also enable beta updates from the Software Update menu. To change your update settings, click the Info button next to Automatic Updates or Beta Updates . [2]
    • The Automatic Updates menu offers a variety of options. Toggle on the ones you want to enable. For example, you can:
      • Automatically download (but not install) macOS updates.
      • Automatically install macOS updates.
      • Automatically update apps that you downloaded from the App Store.
      • Automatically install security and system file updates.
    • To enable beta updates, clicknext to Beta Updates and select your preferred beta from the dropdown menu at the top of the window. For example, you may be able to select beta developer updates for your current version of macOS or an upcoming version. You can also choose which Apple Account you want to use for beta updates. When you’ve made your choices, click Done .
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Section 2 of 6:

Reinstalling from Recovery

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  1. 1
    Reboot your Mac in Recovery Mode. If your Mac is having system issues or if you were unable to install the latest update successfully, you may be able to reinstall macOS from Recovery Mode. The right way to do this depends on whether you have an Apple Silicon chip (M1, M2, M3, or M4) or an Intel Processor. Check by selecting Apple menu > About This Mac , or consult Apple’s list of Macs with Apple Silicon .
    • If possible, back up your Mac before you start.
    • If you have Apple Silicon :
      • Shut down your Mac, then press and hold the power button until you see text that says Loading startup options or a screen with a gear-shaped Options icon. Release the power button, click Options , then click Continue. [3]
      • You may be prompted to select a volume to recover. In most cases, you’ll want to select Macintosh HD . Click Next .
      • Select a user account, click Next , and enter the password for that account. Now you should see a screen with recovery options.
    • If you have an Intel processor:
      • Shut down your Mac, then press and release the power button to restart it. As soon as you release the button, immediately hold down Command + R on your keyboard. Release the keys once you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe. [4]
      • Select a Wi-Fi network if prompted to do so, then select your recovery volume (usually Macintosh HD ). Click Next .
      • Select a user account, click Next , and then enter the password for that account. Next, you should see a screen with several recovery options.
  2. 2
    Choose Reinstall macOS and click Continue . Selecting this option will usually reinstall the most recent available version of macOS that’s compatible with your computer. You’ll need to restore your data and settings from a backup when you’re done (if you have one). [5]
    • If you have an Intel processor, you can change which version of macOS installs on your computer by changing the way you boot up in recovery mode. For instance:
      • Press Command + R during startup to install the most up-to-date version of your most recently installed macOS. (In other words, if you haven’t upgraded to the next macOS, installing this way won’t trigger an upgrade.)
      • Press Option + Command + R during startup to install the latest macOS that’s compatible with your Mac.
      • Press Shift + Option + Command + R to install the version of macOS that came with your Mac (or the closest available version).
    • If you have Apple Silicon, you’ll generally get the latest compatible version of macOS. However , if you recently upgraded macOS and then erased your disk in Disk Utility, reinstalling from Recovery may install the previous version of macOS that was on your Mac.
  3. 3
    Enter your password to unlock the disk if prompted. This is the same password you use to log into your Mac.
  4. 4
    Select Macintosh HD if offered a choice. You may be prompted to select either “Macintosh HD” or “Macintosh HD - Data” for your installation. If so, choose Macintosh HD .
    • If the installer doesn’t see your hard disk, you might need to erase the disk for a completely clean installation. Here’s how: [6]
      • From the Recovery menu, select Disk Utility .
      • Select Macintosh HD in the sidebar. If you don’t see Macintosh HD, shut down your Mac, unplug all non-essential devices (like external speakers or hard drives), and try again.
      • Click the Erase button in the toolbar (it looks like a hard drive with an x).
      • Choose Macintosh HD and APFS as your volume name and format.
      • Click Erase or Erase Volume Group .
      • Enter your Apple Account info if prompted.
      • Click Erase Mac and Restart .
      • Follow the onscreen prompts to activate your Mac. When it’s done activating, select Exit to Recovery Utilities .
      • Choose Reinstall macOS and attempt the installation again.
      • Note that this process is almost identical whether you have an Apple Silicon Mac or an Intel Mac, but there might be minor differences. See the instructions for Intel here .
  5. 5
    Wait for the installation process to finish. Don’t close your computer or put it to sleep. Your Mac will restart when it’s finished installing macOS. It’s normal to see a progress bar. Your Mac may also go blank several times during the installation process.
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Section 3 of 6:

Installing macOS from the App Store

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  1. 1
    Search for the version of macOS you want in the App Store. If you can’t install macOS from Software Update, or if you’re looking for a specific version, you might be able to find the one you want in the App Store. Launch the App Store from your Dock and enter a search term like macOS Sequoia .
  2. 2
    Click Get . This will begin the process of downloading macOS to your Mac. [7]
    • If the version of macOS you’re trying to download is unavailable, or if it’s not compatible with your Mac, the Get button will be greyed out. In some cases, you might see a message saying that this version of macOS is unavailable or incompatible with your computer.
    • After you click Get, Software Update might open and request that you continue the installation process from there.
  3. 3
    Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the installation. Once you download the installer, it will automatically open in finder. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation process, or exit the installer if you want to install at a later time.
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Section 4 of 6:

Downloading Older Versions of macOS

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  1. 1
    Download a disk image of the version of macOS you want. If you have an old Mac, you might want to update to a version of macOS that’s no longer available via the App Store or Software Update. You can download the .dmg (disk image) files for several early versions of macOS (including Lion, Mountain Lion, Yosemite, El Capitan, and Sierra) from here .
    • This method will only work if you’re running an even older version of macOS on your computer. You can’t downgrade to an earlier macOS this way.
  2. 2
    Open the .dmg file in your Downloads folder. Navigate to your Downloads folder (by default, the .dmg file should save here when you download it). Double-click the file to open it.
  3. 3
    Double-click the .pkg file. You should see the .pkg file inside the .dmg file when you open it. Double-click the .pkg file to launch the installer.
  4. 4
    Follow the instructions to load the installer into your Applications folder.
  5. 5
    Double-click the installer and follow the onscreen prompts. Once the installer is in Applications, double-click to open it. The installer will be called Install [macOS Version Name] . Follow the prompts on your screen to complete the installation process.
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Section 5 of 6:

Creating a Bootable Installation Disk

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  1. 1
    Download your macOS installer. If you’re unable to update or upgrade using Software Update, or if you’re trying to do something like load macOS onto a computer that’s been wiped clean, creating a bootable installer may be the way to go. To start, [#Installing macOS from the App Store|download the installer from the App Store]. [8]
    • If you’re trying to install an early version of macOS X, you might need to [#Downloading Older Versions of macOS|download the .dmg file from the web instead]. In this case, double-click the .dmg file, then double-click the .pkg file inside, then follow the instructions on the screen to extract the installer to your Applications folder.
    • Your installer will need to be in the Applications folder and named “Install [macOS Version Name]” for the installation commands to work.
  2. 2
    Connect an external drive to your Mac. A USB flash drive will usually work for this purpose. If your Mac only has USB-C ports, you’ll need to get a USB-C drive or attach a regular USB drive with an adapter.
    • Make sure your drive has enough space. 32GB is usually enough, and for older versions of macOS, 16GB is probably sufficient.
    • This process will erase anything that’s on your flash drive. If you already have files on the drive, back them up before you continue.
  3. 3
    Rename the drive to MyVolume . Click the drive icon on your desktop once to select it, then click it again to select the name of the drive. Type in MyVolume .
  4. 4
    Open Terminal. You can find it in Apps > Utilities , open it from your Launchpad, or use the Spotlight Search tool at the top of your screen to search for it.
  5. 5
    Enter the appropriate command to install your version of macOS. The command you enter into the Terminal will vary depending on which version of macOS you’re installing on the drive. You can find a list of commands (covering versions from El Capitan to Sequoia) here .
    • For example, if you’re loading macOS Sequoia onto your drive, use the command sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume . Press Return to execute the command.
  6. 6
    Enter your administrator password when prompted. This is the same password you use to log into your Mac. You won’t be able to see it as you type it in. Press Return when you’re done.
    • If you get an error message saying the installer isn’t valid, delete the installer, reboot your Mac in Recovery Mode , and use Disk Utility to repair your startup disk . Re-download the installer and try again.
    • If you’re creating the bootable disk on a Mac that’s running macOS Sierra 10.12.6 or earlier, you’ll need to add an extra section to the end of the command after --volume /Volumes/MyVolume . This section starts with --applicationpath followed by your installer path, like this:
      • sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app
  7. 7
    Type Y to confirm that you want to erase the disk. Press Return to execute the command.
    • You may be prompted to grant Terminal access to files on the removable volume. If so, click OK .
  8. 8
    Quit Terminal and eject the flash drive. When the process completes, Terminal will display a message saying that the installation media is now available. Your flash drive should now be renamed “Install [macOS Version Name].” Quit Terminal, then drag the flash drive icon to Trash to eject the volume. Unplug the flash drive from your computer.
  9. 9
    Boot up your Mac from the installer disk and install macOS. Next, you’ll use the flash drive to boot up the Mac where you want to install macOS. The right way to do this depends on whether you’re using a Mac with an Apple Silicon chip or one with an Intel processor.
    • Apple Silicon:
      • Shut down your Mac and plug in the flash drive.
      • Press and hold the power button to restart your Mac. Keep holding the power button until you see a screen with startup options. You should see your bootable installation disk.
      • Select the installation disk and click Continue .
      • The installer should open automatically. Follow the instructions onscreen to install macOS.
    • Intel-based Macs:
      • Shut down your Mac and plug in the flash drive.
      • Press the power button, then immediately press and hold the Option/Alt key.
      • Release the Option key as soon as you see a dark screen showing bootable volumes.
      • Select your installation disk and click the arrow on the screen or press Return .
        • If your Mac has a T2 Security Chip, you may need to set the Startup Security Utility to allow booting up from an external disk. You can find detailed instructions in this Apple Support article .
      • Select your language if prompted to do so.
      • Select Install macOS or Install OS X from the Utilities window.
      • Click Continue , then follow the instructions on screen to install macOS.
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Section 6 of 6:

Other Options

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  1. 1
    Turn your PC into a Hackintosh. If you want to install macOS on your PC, it’s doable! You’ll have to create a special boot drive on your PC. Check out this wikiHow for a detailed description of the process.
  2. 2
    Install macOS on a PC with a Virtual Machine. This is another way to use macOS on a PC–from within the Windows environment. Read this wikiHow article to learn how!
  3. 3
    Run two versions of macOS on your Mac at once. This method involves creating a separate APFS volume on your Mac so that you basically have two computers in one. This way, you can easily switch between two different versions of macOS–you just have to make sure whichever versions you install are compatible with your Mac. Check out this article from Apple Support for detailed instructions.
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  • Question
    Mac does not give a disk to select?
    Tenjingawa
    Community Answer
    It means that the disk inside your Mac may have been corrupted or unpartitioned, and cannot be used to install macOS. You will need to go back to the macOS Utilities screen, then select Disk Utility and add a partition to the disk before retrying,
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      Tips

      • If you’re using an older Mac, it might not be compatible with the most recent versions of macOS. When installing macOS with Software Update, you’ll only see the latest version that works with your computer. [9] When installing from the App Store, the Get option for incompatible versions may be greyed out. [10]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108382
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/software-update-settings-on-mac-mchla7037245/mac
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102518?choose-your-type-of-mac=mac-with-apple-silicon
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102518?choose-your-type-of-mac=intel-based-mac
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102655
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102506
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102662
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/101578
      9. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/108382
      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/102662

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Turn on your Mac and press and hold Cmd + R .
      2. Release the keys when you see the Apple logo.
      3. Choose if you want to erase your disk.
      4. Click to select Reinstall macOS .
      5. Click Continue .
      6. Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall macOS including where to install it.

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