Attempting to download macOS Catalina from the Mac App Store you may find that a small version of the “Install macOS Catalina.app” file downloads to the “Applications” folder, rather than the complete 8.1 GB installer file. The latest MacBooks are compatible (Image credit: Apple) 1. Check your device is compatible. Before you download and install macOS Catalina, you'll need to make sure that the Mac or MacBook you're. The version of macOS that came with your Mac is the earliest version it can use. For example, if your Mac came with macOS Big Sur, it will not accept installation of macOS Catalina or earlier. If a macOS can't be used on your Mac, the App Store or installer will let you know.
Summary: This page is about how to reinstall macOS in macOS Recovery mode. Based on if you want to keep the original data on the startup disk, you can either choose to clean reinstall macOS or to reinstall macOS without data loss.
Reinstalling macOS gives your Mac a fresh start especially when you are frequently bothered by some issues, such as Mac not turning on, Mac hanging on the beach ball, apps frozen on your Mac, slow performance, or pink screen on Mac. Most of the time, such issue results from some system-level problems, while reinstalling macOS can easily save your life.
• How to reinstall macOS on an M1 Mac?
How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery mode?
Install Catalina Macos
When you need to reinstall macOS on your Mac, macOS Recovery mode makes this process easy and quick. By the way, if you want to learn more about macOS Recovery mode, you can watch this video.
To reinstall macOS in macOS Recovery mode:
Step 1: Make sure your Mac is connected to a stable Internet within all the following steps.
Step 2: Identify it's an Intel or M1 Mac, and immediately do one of the followings.
- Press and hold Command + Option + R.This allows you to reinstall the latest version of macOS that is compatible with your Mac computer from the internet.
- Press and hold Shift + Command + Option + R. This option allows you to reinstall the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
- Press and hold Command + R. This allows you to reinstall the version of macOS stored on your built-in recovery disk, including any updates that you installed.
• How to Boot into & Use M1 Mac Recovery Mode
Step 3: Release these keys when you see an Apple logo, spinning globe, or the Utilities window.
Step 4: Enter the requested password if you are prompted to enter a firmware password or the administrator's login password.
• Recover/reset your forgotten Mac password
• Mac won't accept correct password, what to do?
Step 5: Decide if you want to clean install the system, or just reinstall macOS without losing your original data.
If you want to factory reset the Mac for selling or giveaway, or the startup disk becomes corrupted, you might want to erase the startup disk before reinstallation. This guarantees a fresh and clean installation as it wipes all your personal data on the disk.
• How to factory reset your Mac?
• How to reset your M1 Mac to factory settings?
If you only want to reinstall macOS because the original operating system is not working as you expect, you might want to keep your personal data intact. In case files are deleted or lost by accident during macOS reinstallation, you should have a backup of your data or getting files off first.
• How to get files off a MacBook that won't turn on?
Step 6: Either after erasing the startup disk or getting files off the Mac, you can then go back to macOS Utilities and choose Reinstall macOS. Check this post to find all macOS versions and know which one you are going to reinstall.
Step 7: Follow the on-screen instructions and choose a disk to reinstall the OS.
- If the internal startup disk is not showing up, or the installer says that it can't install macOS on your computer or volume, you might need to back up files and then erase your disk.
- If the installer asks you to choose Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data when installing macOS Catalina, choose Macintosh HD.
Other ways to install macOS
Apart from reinstalling macOS from macOS Recovery mode, you have other options according to your situations.
Install Catalina Mac
- Get released macOS versions or updates by App Store or Software Update preferences.
- Get macOS beta (such as macOS Monterey that might be buggy now) through Apple’s developer website.
Install Catalina On Non Apfs Volume
Whatever your situation of reinstalling macOS is, you should always retrieve your data from the Mac before any further movement. After all, you can't tell if you want it back or not in the future.