In this guide, we cover the clean install option.
If you would rather perform an upgrade installation, visit ourcomplete guide to upgrading to macOS Sierra.
Before continuing, you shouldverify that your Mac can run macOS Sierra.
The main difference between the two clean install methods comes down to the target for the clean install.
This method is the easiest punch in of clean install to perform.
For this method to work, you should probably have an available second drive or volume.
For most Macs, that means anexternal driveof some key in.
It’s also a common method of installation for trying abeta softwareversion of macOS.
This method results in the complete loss of data on the startup drive.
If you plant the OS without creating a bootable installer, you will lose access to the installer files.
If the non-startup drive is empty or only contains personal data, you might skip the erase process.
After you erase the non-startup drive, you might jump to the clean install process.
We suggest reading through all of these steps before starting the install to familiarize yourself with the process.
Connect the bootable flash drive containing the macOS Sierra installer to your Mac.
Execute the Startup Manager shortcutby restarting your Mac while holding down theOptionkey.
Use the arrow keys to select themacOS Sierra installeron the USB drive, then pressEnterorReturnon your keyboard.
Your Mac starts up from the USB flash drive.
The installer displays a welcome screen asking you to choose a country and language to use.
Make your selection and selectContinue.
Once the startup process completes, your Mac displays themacOSUtilitieswindow.
SelectDisk Utility, then selectContinue.
Disk Utility launches and displays the drives and volumes currently attached to your Mac.
In the left pane, opt for volume you wish to erase.
It will likely be namedMacintosh HDif you never changed the Mac’s default name for the startup drive.
With the startup volume selected, selectErasefrom the Disk Utility toolbar.
verify you have a recent backup of the startup drive before continuing.
In the next window, give the volume a name and select a format to use.
ensure to chooseOS X Extended (Journaled)intheFormatdrop-down menu.
The drop-down window changes to display the erase process.
Typically, this is quick.
Once the erase process is complete, selectDone.
You’re finished with Disk Utility.
SelectQuit Disk Utilityfrom the Disk Utility menu.
SelectInstall macOS, and then selectContinueto start the installation process.
Once the macOS installer launches, selectContinue.
The macOS Sierra licensing agreement appears.
The installer displays the default target for the installation of macOS Sierra.
The target is usually the startup drive (Macintosh HD).
If this is correct, opt for startup drive, then selectInstall.
If you wish to install on a non-startup volume, selectShow All Disks.
The installer displays a list of attached volumes that it’s possible for you to install macOS Sierra on.
Make your selection, then selectInstall.
The installer displays a progress bar and time estimate for the installation process.
While the process bar is displayed, the installer is copying needed files to the target volume.
Your Mac restarts after the process finishes.
Choose Your Country
At this point, you should see the macOS Sierra Setup Welcome screen.
From the list of available countries, select your location, then selectContinue.
The setup assistant makes its best guess on the keyboard layout to use.
you could accept the suggested layout or select one from the list.
In addition, you could transfer data from a Windows PC.
you could also forgo transferring any data at this time.
We suggest selectingDont transfer any information now.
This service can be helpful for applications such as Maps and Find my Mac.
If you change your mind, control Diagnostics and Usage data fromSecurity & Privacyin System Preferences.
You’re ready to explore your new macOS Sierra operating system.
