The key to reinstall mac OS Mojave or Catalina without losing data is the backup, since no one can guarantee all data will be perfectly maintained after macOS reinstallation. However, if we unfortunately lost files after Mojave or Catlina reinstallation, Time Machine or Cisdem Data Recovery is helpful to recover them back. Hold down the “Command” and “R” keys while your Mac is booting. This will allow you to select one.
Reinstall from macOS Recovery
macOS Recovery makes it easy to reinstall the Mac operating system, even if you need to erase your startup disk first. All you need is a connection to the Internet. If a wireless network is available, you can choose it from the Wi-Fi menu , which is also available in macOS Recovery.
1. Start up from macOS Recovery
To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold one of the following sets of keys on your keyboard. Release the keys when you see an Apple logo, spinning globe, or other startup screen. Audible app download mac.
Command (⌘)-R
Reinstall the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac (recommended).
Option-⌘-R
Upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
Shift-Option-⌘-R
Reinstall the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
You might be prompted to enter a password, such as a firmware password or the password of a user who is an administrator of this Mac. Enter the requested password to continue.
When you see the utilities window, you have started up from macOS Recovery.
2. Decide whether to erase (format) your disk
You probably don't need to erase, unless you're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, or you have an issue that requires you to erase. If you need to erase before installing macOS, select Disk Utility from the Utilities window, then click Continue. Learn more about when and how to erase.
3. Install macOS
When you're ready to reinstall macOS, choose Reinstall macOS from the Utilities window. Then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions. You will be asked to choose a disk on which to install.
- If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac.
- If the installer doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk first.
- If the installer is for a different version of macOS than you expected, learn about macOS Recovery exceptions.
- If the installer offers you the choice between installing on Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data, choose Macintosh HD.
Please allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. During installation, your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.
If your Mac restarts to a setup assistant, but you're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. App cleaner mac nektony. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.
macOS Recovery exceptions
The version of macOS offered by macOS Recovery might vary in some cases:
- If macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later has never been installed on this Mac, Option-Command-R installs the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. And Shift-Option-Command-R isn't available.
- If you erased your entire disk instead of just the startup volume on that disk, macOS Recovery might offer only the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. You can upgrade to a later version afterward.
- If your Mac has the Apple T2 Security Chip and you never installed a macOS update, Option-Command-R installs the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac.
- If you just had your Mac logic board replaced during a repair, macOS Recovery might offer only the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.
If you can't get macOS Recovery to offer the installer you want, you might be able to use one of the other ways to install macOS.
Other ways to install macOS
- You can also install macOS from the App Store or Software Update preferences. If you can't install macOS Catalina, you might be able to install an earlier macOS, such as macOS Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan, or Yosemite.
- Or create a bootable installer disk, then use that disk to install macOS on your Mac or another Mac.
There’s nothing like that “fresh Mac” feeling, when everything is clean and running like new. A healthy Mac boosts productivity by working well and eliminating down time. How to achieve this wonderful state? There are three ways.
First, buy a brand-new Mac. It’s not the most economical option, but there it is. Second, perform a clean install of OS X. While buying a new Mac is expensive financially, a clean reinstall costs you time, as it’s a tricky process that requires attention and careful preparation. That brings us to number three.
The third option is more economical, safer, significantly simpler and comes in two parts. First, reclaim disk space by removing unwanted, troublesome files and two, perform routine maintenance to keep your Mac in tip-top shape. A utility like CleanMyMac X lets you do all of that quickly, effectively and best of all, without having to clean reinstall OS X.
In this article you’ll learn how to clean up your Mac and get it running beautifully. But first, I’ll look at performing a clean installation for those interested in that route. It’s burdensome, but possible. Here’s what you need to know about performing a fresh install of OS X.
Clean up your Mac with a fresh install — the drastic way.
Apple designs its Mac operating systems so that they can be installed “over the top”, which means all settings and user accounts will remain intact when you upgrade. For most people this works just fine, and is the recommended method. Those who still wish for a clean install must recognize that this means everything will be erased from their hard drive:
- The boot drive.
- User accounts.
- Your network settings and all software licenses.
- Photos, music, and documents.
That’s “everything” as in every last thing. If you’re still game, here’s what you need to know before doing a clean install of OS X El Capitan.
- This probably goes without saying, but make reliable backups of your entire boot drive in several ways.
- Move important files to an online storage service like Dropbox plus a local external drive.
- Note what has been backed up to your iCloud account, if anything, as well as how to recover it.
With that done, you certainly can perform a clean install of OS X. Set aside a Saturday that you can devote to the task. We, however, recommend less drastic measures. Forget risky reinstallation and see the difference a cleaner Mac can make.
Clean up your Mac with a cleaner app — the easy way.
Broken preference files, login items and even unneeded language files can accumulate on your computer’s drive. Most of these you won’t even see, so looking through you Mac’s folders won’t necessarily yield the junk you’re after. Fortunately, CleanMyMac X has five modules dedicated to the areas of your Mac that often accumulate bulky files: How to find old version of app itunes mac.
General system junk - There’s so much potential for bulky, hidden files here, including language files, OS X localizations, cache files and logs.
Why wont my video chat app work on macs. Mail attachments - When you open or view a new attachment in Mail, the application stores a copy on your disk and keeps it until you delete the associated email. After a while, the total volume of copied files may reach a couple of gigabytes or more. Clean the local copy while keeping the original on your email server intact.
How To Reinstall Macos Without Losing Data
iTunes junk - Outdated iOS backups and iOS updates can take up huge amounts of space. Since they're out of sight, they’re out of mind. CleanMyMac locates and deletes these files safely and easily.
Photo junk - RAW originals can be replaced with high-quality JPEG alternatives, while Photos’ “Faces” caches and other photos caches are cleaned up.
Last but not least is the Trash bin. It’s so easy to forget about items in thrash. I’ve certainly done it, only to later discover I’ve got a GB or more just sitting in there! Download CleanMyMac for free and try it for yourself to see how easily it accomplishes all of this and more, including regular maintenance.
Bonus: regular maintenance to keep your Mac like new
The other key to a Mac that’s happy and healthy is regular maintenance. CleanMyMac’s Maintenance module provides access to all sorts of optimization goodness. Quickly run essential scripts and procedures that will keep your Mac in great shape for a long time, and prevent lag under high workloads. To find them, simply launch CleanMyMac and click the Maintenance icon.
The first option you’ll find is Run Maintenance Scripts, which are basic system routines — written by Apple — that OS X runs on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. They aim to keep your Mac in shape, and now you can run them whenever you like.
Repair disk permissions and verify the startup disk to maintain your file system to optimize performance. For example, if you notice misbehaving apps, repair disk permissions. Note, that manual way to repair disk permissions via Disk Utility has been disabled since El Capitan. But if you're running Mavericks or Yosemiti, it's still possible. Got to Utilities in your Mac’s Applications folder and launch Disk Utility. Next, click First Aid .
Additionally, rebuild launch services. Finder uses the Launch Services database to keep information about file types and applications assigned to open them by default.
As you install, remove, or update applications, the database may become corrupted and cause some troubles with opening applications or with displaying correct contents of the Open With menu. Use the Rebuild Launch Service Database task to resolve these issues.
Get that “fresh Mac feeling” yourself with CleanMyMac X. While it’s admittedly not as fun as unboxing a brand new Mac, it’s fast, effective and a lot less terrifying that wiping your drive clean, crossing your fingers and starting from scratch. Try it for free and see the difference a clean Mac can make. Grab it now and get cleaning.