How to Clean Install macOS Sonoma & Ventura (Updated Guide)

Here's Step by Step Guide to Clean install macOS (Any macOS). Re-Download and Install macOS after Cleaning your Mac Using Bootable USB.

The clean installation of macOS is the simple process of erasing everything and starting from scratch when the Mac computer faces a problem. For example, the process can enhance performance, startup, memory, shut down, erase Mac for sale, and various app issues. Besides this, it’s the best way to remove specific viruses and types of malware, and the best part is it helps to enhance the Mac’s Battery Life. No matter what reasons you want to do it, here is how to clean and install macOS using Bootable Drive. 

Also Read: Wipe Your Mac Without Clean Install macOS.

Clean Install macOS in Just 3 Steps

There are three steps to clean install macOS: 1) download the macOS installation file, 2) create a Bootable drive, and 3) clean install macOS using the Bootable drive via recovery mode (MacOS Compatible Macs List).

Step 1: Download macOS

Download macOS Sonoma Beta: Go to the Apple Logo > System Settings… > General > Software Update > Click Info Button in Automatic Updates and select On > Click Info Button in the Beta Updates > Select Beta Update drop-down and select macOS Sonoma Developer Beta > At last, select Done.  

Download macOS Public Version: Go to App Store > Search for desired macOS Version, and from the result, tap Download. Direct App Store link for macOS Ventura. Click on the Get button to Download the Setup file.

Download macOS from app store
Download macOS from app store

Click on Download Button to Start Downloading the macOS DMG file.

Download macOS on Mac
Download macOS on Mac

After the download is complete, Select Quit the installation option when your Mac asks in a popup window.

Quit Install macOS setup
Quit Install macOS setup

This macOS dmg file is saved under the Finder > Applications folder. Don’t do anything and move Forward to the next step.

Download macOS DMG file on Mac
Download macOS DMG file on Mac

Step 2: Create a Bootable Drive

After downloading the macOS installation file, you must create a bootable drive. Here’s how.

  1. Connect the Bootable Drive to your Mac.
  2. After this, press Command + Space to open the spotlight search.
  3. Enter the Terminal, and tap on it to open.
  4. In the Terminal, enter the below-mentioned command.

Note: Enter your USB drive name instead of MyVolume in the below command.

Change Name of your Drive according to Command on Mac
Change Name of your Drive according to Command on Mac
Run Bootable MacOS USB Command in Terminal
Run Bootable MacOS USB Command in Terminal
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Ventura.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume.
  1. Press the Return to run the command. 
  2. The Terminal Command will ask you to jot down the Mac login password, enter it, and hit the Return Key. Press the Y key to continue the procedure.
  3. Your installer file will erase first, and copy the macOS installation file to your bootable drive. It will take time, depending on the transfer speed. Wait until the confirmation message appears in the terminal. 
How to Use Terminal command to Make Bootable Installer for MacOS
How to Use Terminal command to Make Bootable Installer for MacOS

That’s It!

Step 3: How to use a USB installer to update your Mac

Now that you have created the bootable drive, here is how you can clean install macOS on your Mac computer. 

  1. First and foremost, connect the bootable drive to your Mac. And then turn off your Mac.
  2. Now you will need to boot your Mac computer to Recovery Mode.
  • For Mac with Apple Chip: Press the power-off button until the Mac Volumes appear. 
Put Mac in Recovery Mode
Put Mac in Recovery Mode
  • For Mac with Intel Chip: Press Command + R from the keyboard as you start the Mac using the Power Button 
  1. After this, your Mac will display all startup partitions and bootable drives.
  2. Select Options.
Open Options in Recovery mode Mac
Open Options in Recovery mode Mac
  1.  Click on Disk Utility > Continue.
Open Disk Utility to Erase Drive on Mac
Open Disk Utility to Erase Drive on Mac
  1. Choose Macintosh HD Volume from the left pane and then choose Erase.
Erase Partition to Clean Up Data and macOS on Mac
Erase Partition to Clean Up Data and macOS on Mac
  1. Select Erase.
Erase macOS Drive on Mac
Erase macOS Drive on Mac
  1. After that, Close the Disk Utility Window, navigate to the options menu, and select your Bootable Drive
  2. Click on Continue > Start > Agree with terms & conditions.
  3. Select the bootable installer volume.
  4. Choose Continue.
  5. The macOS installer should open – when it does, follow the onscreen instructions to finish up a clean installation.

Keep your Macbook connected to the power source during the installation process.

Final Thought!

I hope now you know the complete procedure for cleaning and installing macOS using the bootable drive. If you have any relatable queries, feel free to contact us via the comment box.  

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Karly Wood

Karly Wood is a journalist based in Ohio who specializes in covering Apple and technology trends. With a varied experience in reporting on public safety, government, and education, her insights bridge multiple disciplines, providing readers with a well-rounded perspective on today's technological advancements. If you need to contact me, you can reach me at [email protected] or through (Facebook)

2 thoughts on “How to Clean Install macOS Sonoma & Ventura (Updated Guide)”

  1. Will restoring from Time Machine also restore all of the little ‘cache’ and ‘temporary files’ from the previous backup?

    If so I would install everything manually.

    Reply
    • if you are irritating with Slow speed issues and Bug. Don’t do that try to install manually.

      Restore will copy all the data (Files and Folders) as like earlier.

      I am using Clean installed macOS Mojave. Very happy to use my mac.

      Reply

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