macOS

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

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.

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