How to reinstall macOS

Use macOS Recovery to reinstall the Mac operating organization.

Start up from macOS Recovery

Apple silicon

Plough on your Mac and keep to press and hold the power push until y'all see the startup options window. Click the gear icon labeled Options, so click Continue.

Intel processor

Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold Command (⌘)-R until you lot meet an Apple logo or other image.

If y'all're asked to select a user you know the countersign for, select the user, click Next, then enter their administrator countersign.

Reinstall macOS

Reinstalling macOS does not remove information from your Mac. To brainstorm installation, select Reinstall macOS from the utilities window in macOS Recovery, so click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.

macOS Recovery options with "Reinstall macOS Monterey" selected

Follow these guidelines during installation:

  • If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac.
  • If the installer doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you lot might need to erase your disk first.
  • If the installer offers you the choice betwixt installing on Macintosh Hard disk drive or Macintosh HD - Data, choose Macintosh HD.
  • Permit installation to consummate without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. Your Mac might restart and evidence a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.

After installation is consummate, your Mac might restart to a setup assistant. If you lot're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Downwards. When the new owner starts upwards the Mac, they can use their ain information to consummate setup.

Other macOS installation options

When you install macOS from Recovery, you get the electric current version of the well-nigh recently installed macOS, with some exceptions:

  • On an Intel-based Mac, yous can employShift-Option-Command-R during startup to exist offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. Or yous can useOption-Command-R during startup to be offered either the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac, or in some cases the macOS that came with your Mac or the closest version nonetheless bachelor.
  • If the Mac logic board was but replaced, you might be offered simply the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
  • If you lot just erased your entire startup disk, you might be offered only the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.

You can too use these methods to install macOS, if the macOS is compatible with your Mac:

  • Use the App Store to download and install the latest macOS or an earlier macOS.
  • Use a USB flash drive or other secondary book to create a bootable installer.

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