How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support (original) (raw)

• Reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery
• Which macOS will be installed?
• If you can’t reinstall macOS

1. Back up your Mac, if possible. Reinstalling macOS doesn't remove your apps or personal data, but it’s still a good idea to make a backup first.
2. Start up from macOS Recovery. The steps to do this depend on the type of Mac you’re using.
3. After starting up from macOS Recovery, you should see a list of options, including the option to install or reinstall macOS. Select that option, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.
   
4. Allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. During installation, your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.
   • If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password that you use to log in to your Mac.
   • If the installer offers the choice between installing on “Macintosh HD” or “Macintosh HD - Data”, choose Macintosh HD.
   • Learn what to do if you can’t reinstall macOS.
5. After installation, your Mac might start up to a setup assistant. Follow the steps in the setup assistant. However, if you're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, quit the setup assistant without completing setup, then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.

On a Mac with Apple silicon:

• Recovery installs the current version of the most recently installed macOS.
• If you installed a macOS upgrade and then used Disk Utility to erase the disk, you might get the macOS that you were using before upgrading.

On any other Mac:

• If you used Command-R to start up from the local Recovery system, you get the current version of the most recently installed macOS.
• If you used Option-Command-R to start up from Internet Recovery, you might get the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
• If you used Shift-Option-Command-R to start up from Internet Recovery, you might get the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
• If the installer doesn't see your disk, quit the installer, choose Disk Utility from the list of options in Recovery, then use Disk Utility to erase your startup disk. If Disk Utility can’t see the disk or erase it, your Mac might need service.
• Learn what to do if an error occurs during installation. To install macOS from Recovery, your Mac must have a broadband internet connection that uses DHCP over Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Some network connections can prevent installation from Recovery, including those that use a required captive-network login, 802.1X security, or PPPoE (unless a router is handling the PPPoE connection).
• Learn what to do if your Mac doesn’t start up all the way before or after installation.
• Learn about other ways to install macOS.

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Published Date: June 10, 2026