To wipe your Mac and reinstall the operating system, you can follow these steps:
1. Restart your Mac: First, go to the Apple menu and select “Shut Down.” Once your Mac is turned off, press and hold the power button until you see the “Loading startup options” message. This will bring you to the startup options menu.
2. Enter Recovery Mode: In the startup options menu, select “Options” and click “Continue” to enter the Recovery app. Recovery Mode is a special feature on Macs that allows you to troubleshoot and reinstall macOS.
3. Choose Reinstall macOS: In the Recovery app window, you will see different options. Select “Reinstall macOS” to begin the reinstallation process. This will download and install a fresh copy of the macOS release that your Mac originally came with.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions: Once you select “Reinstall macOS,” you will be guided through the reinstallation process. Follow the onscreen instructions carefully, as they will vary depending on your Mac model and the version of macOS you are installing.
5. Erase your Mac’s disk (optional): If you want to completely wipe your Mac’s hard drive before reinstalling macOS, you can use the Disk Utility tool in the Recovery app. Before selecting “Reinstall macOS,” choose “Disk Utility” from the options menu. In Disk Utility, select your Mac’s startup disk, click on the “Erase” button, and follow the prompts to erase and reformat the disk.
6. Reinstall macOS: After erasing (if desired) and confirming the disk format, you can proceed with the macOS reinstallation by selecting “Reinstall macOS” again. The installation process will take some time, so be patient.
7. Set up your Mac: Once the reinstallation is complete, your Mac will restart and guide you through the initial setup process. This includes selecting your language, connecting to Wi-Fi, and signing in with your Apple ID. You can also choose to transfer your data from a Time Machine backup or another Mac during this setup.
It’s important to note that reinstalling macOS will remove all data from your Mac’s hard drive, so it’s crucial to have a backup of your important files before proceeding. Additionally, make sure your Mac is connected to a reliable power source throughout the reinstallation process to avoid any interruptions.
I hope this step-by-step guide helps you wipe your Mac and reinstall the operating system successfully! If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.