If your Mac is running slow, experiencing errors, or you simply want to start fresh, reinstalling macOS from a USB drive can be a great solution. This process allows you to completely wipe your Mac and reinstall the operating system, giving you a clean slate to work with. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of how to reinstall macOS from a USB drive.
Why Reinstall macOS from USB?
There are a few reasons why you may want to reinstall macOS from a USB drive. Some common reasons include:
- Your Mac is running slow and you want to start fresh
- You are experiencing errors or glitches on your Mac
- You want to upgrade to a newer version of macOS
- You want to completely wipe your Mac and start over
No matter the reason, reinstalling macOS from a USB drive can help improve the performance and functionality of your Mac.
What You’ll Need
Before we dive into the steps of reinstalling macOS from a USB drive, there are a few things you’ll need to gather:
- A USB drive with at least 16GB of storage
- A stable internet connection
- A Mac computer with macOS installed
- A backup of your important files (as this process will erase all data on your Mac)
Creating a Bootable USB Drive
The first step in reinstalling macOS from a USB drive is to create a bootable USB drive. This will allow you to boot your Mac from the USB drive and install the operating system. Here’s how to create a bootable USB drive:
- Connect your USB drive to your Mac.
- Open the “Disk Utility” application.
- Select your USB drive from the list of devices on the left.
- Click on the “Erase” tab.
- Choose “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” as the format.
- Click “Erase” to format the USB drive.
- Once the formatting is complete, open the “Terminal” application.
- Type in the following command: sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [version].app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/[USB drive name]
- Replace [version] with the version of macOS you want to install (e.g. High Sierra, Mojave, etc.).
- Replace [USB drive name] with the name of your USB drive.
- Press “Enter” and enter your administrator password when prompted.
- The process of creating a bootable USB drive will begin and may take some time to complete.
Once the process is complete, you will have a bootable USB drive ready to use for reinstalling macOS.
Reinstalling macOS from USB
Now that you have a bootable USB drive, you can use it to reinstall macOS on your Mac. Here’s how:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Connect the USB drive to your Mac.
- Turn on your Mac while holding down the “Option” key.
- A list of bootable drives will appear, select the USB drive.
- The macOS installer will launch.
- Follow the prompts to select your language and agree to the terms and conditions.
- When prompted, select the option to “Reinstall macOS”.
- Choose your Mac’s hard drive as the destination for the installation.
- The installation process will begin and may take some time to complete.
- Once the installation is finished, your Mac will restart and you will be prompted to set up your Mac as if it were brand new.
Troubleshooting
If you encounter any issues during the installation process, here are a few troubleshooting tips:
- Make sure your Mac is connected to a stable internet connection.
- Check that your USB drive is properly formatted and has enough storage space.
- Try using a different USB drive.
- If you are unable to boot from the USB drive, try resetting your Mac’s NVRAM by holding down the “Option”, “Command”, “P”, and “R” keys while your Mac is starting up.
Other Options for Reinstalling macOS
If you are unable to create a bootable USB drive or prefer a different method, there are a few other options for reinstalling macOS:
Internet Recovery
If your Mac is unable to boot from a USB drive, you can use Internet Recovery to reinstall macOS. This method requires an internet connection and will download the necessary files from Apple’s servers. Here’s how to use Internet Recovery:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Turn on your Mac while holding down the “Command”, “Option”, and “R” keys.
- The macOS Utilities window will appear.
- Select “Reinstall macOS” and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
Recovery Partition
If your Mac has a recovery partition, you can use it to reinstall macOS without the need for a USB drive. Here’s how:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Turn on your Mac while holding down the “Command” and “R” keys.
- The macOS Utilities window will appear.
- Select “Reinstall macOS” and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
Tips for a Successful Reinstallation
To ensure a successful reinstallation of macOS from a USB drive, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Make sure you have a stable internet connection.
- Back up your important files before starting the reinstallation process.
- Use a USB drive with at least 16GB of storage.
- Make sure your USB drive is properly formatted.
- If you encounter any issues, try using a different USB drive or resetting your Mac’s NVRAM.
Conclusion
Reinstalling macOS from a USB drive can help improve the performance and functionality of your Mac. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily create a bootable USB drive and use it to reinstall macOS on your Mac. Remember to back up your important files before starting the process and troubleshoot any issues that may arise. With a fresh installation of macOS, your Mac will feel like new again.