macOS Compatibility for Mac Laptops
How to clean install
Format the external drive
how to format as GUID Partition Map
The USB drive needs to be formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and GUID Partition Map.
If the Partition is greyed out and the GUID Partition Map option is not available, first select View > Show All Devices in the menu bar (or press ⌘ + 2), then select the container instead of the disk itself. From there, clicking Erase will allow you to select the GUID Partition Map option.
Get the macOS install file
IMPORTANT: use Safari to access the Support page below - this ensures the file is downloaded without issues (eg blocking by the browser).
Create a bootable USB disk
For Yosemite:
sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app --nointeraction
--nointeraction flag skips the "Are you sure" step.
For Monterey:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USBStickName
Fix: IA App name cookie write failed... when creating bootable installer
If this error shows up during creation of bootable installer:
IA app name cookie write failed
The copy of the installer app failed.
Apply Full Disk Access to Terminal in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Full Disk Access. Add Terminal to the list if not already there, by clicking the lock icon and entering your password, and then clicking the + button.
Wipe your Mac
Install macOS
Restart your computer and hold down “Option”. You can now select the USB Drive you just created.