Due to some reason, you have to reinstall macOS X on your Mac computer. Perhaps, the performance of your Mac is not as your expectation, so you think a clean installation of the operating system will be the best idea to fix the problem. Alternatively, you are planning to sell your Mac, or pass it to a member of your family, you will need to wipe it first and revert to the default settings. You are also able to reinstall the macOS version as it’s out of box if the latest macOS version does not make you pleasant. For whatever reason, we will show you the easiest ways to reinstall macOS from your Mac recovery.
The following methods include using the Recovery partition that allows you to install the latest macOS version on your computer. Since you usually install macOS through the Mac App Store, so many of you don’t have a physical installation disk available. So, Apple makes it possible to re-install the MacOS through the Recovery.
Steps to Reinstall MacOS via Recovery
Simply follow these steps below to re-install macOS X on your Mac computer:
Step 1: Boot up your Mac while pressing and holding down the Command+R keys until you hear the startup chime and see the Apple logo.
Step 2: Wait for a few seconds and a macOS Utilities window will open up on the screen with options available, including: “Restore From Time Machine Backup”, “Reinstall macOS”, “Get Help Online”, “Disk Utility”. The next step is your preference whether you want to format your Mac before the reinstallation of the operating system. If you want to wipe your disk, just click on Disk Utility.
Step 3: In Disk Utility, click on Continue.
Step 4: Select the drive you want to format and click on Erase (in View > Show All Drives). It will start deleting all the data stored on your drive. So make sure to create a back up first.
Step 4: Make sure you set the format to Mac OS Extended. In case you select GUID Partition Table, set it as Scheme.
Step 5: Click on Erase and wait for it to format your Mac drive.
Step 6: Once done, click on Disk Utility and select Quit Disk Utility.
Step 7: You will be back to the OS X Utilities screen. From there, choose Reinstall macOS.
Step 8: After you click on Reinstall macOS, choose Continue.
Step 9: When you are required, enter your Apple ID and wait for your MacOS is reinstalled.
Wait for your Mac to start up and boot into startup screen. If you plan to sell or give away your Mac, the next user can set up his/her information. Otherwise, you can complete setting up your Mac.
Also see: How to Fix a Slow MacBook Pro
Steps to Reinstall Older MacOS Versions Through Recovery Mode
Apart from using the Command + R key combination, there are still a couple of key combinations that you can use to reinstall macOS from Recovery mode. By this way, you can select to choose whether or not to install a macOS version that is compatible with your Mac, or even older versions. Here is how to do so:
- Use Command + R keys to install the current version on your Mac computer. While it does not upgrade you to the newest version, it’s the best idea if you are going to sell it.
- Press Command R key combination to upgrade to the latest macOS version that is compatible with your Mac. If your computer is running on Sierra 10.12.4 or older, you should use this key combination to re-install your Mac.
- Use Shift + Option + Command+ R keys if your Mac is running on macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later in order to install the latest on your Mac, or the one that is still available.
Should you want to get back to the older macOS version that was shipped to your Mac, you need to use the latter two choices to reinstall it.
How to Connect your Mac to the Internet in Recovery Mode
Do you know that even when reinstalling macOS from Recovery mode on your computer, you still need to connect it to the internet? Thus, do the following steps to connect your Mac to the internet in Recovery mode unless your computer automatically connects:
Step 2: Choose a Wi-Fi network.
Step 3: Enter the password of a Wi-Fi network
Recovery mode will be connected to the internet so that it can download the macOS installation file.
That’s how to reinstall macOS on your Mac using Recovery mode. It’s not too complicated, right? Do you have any question? Let’s know in the comment below.
