How to install macOS on a blank hard drive?
Jul 07, 2025 am 12:32 AM
Installing macOS from scratch is not complicated, just prepare the tools and follow the steps. First, prepare a working Mac, at least 16GB USB drive, a stable network connection and sufficient time; second, it is recommended to use the createinstallmedia command in Terminal to create a bootable installer; then enter the installation interface through Recovery Mode or USB installer; then use Disk Utility to format the target hard disk to APFS or Mac OS Extended; finally follow the prompts to complete the installation process.
You just got a Mac with a blank hard drive, or maybe you're trying to reinstall macOS from scratch. Either way, installing macOS on an empty drive isn't too complicated as long as you have the right tools and follow the right steps.
Prepare Your Tools and Environment
Before diving into installation, make sure you've got everything ready. You'll need:
- A working Mac (to create the installer)
- A USB flash drive with at least 16GB of storage
- A stable internet connection
- Enough time — this can take 30 minutes to over an hour depending on your Mac model and connection speed
The main method is creating a bootable installer, which gives you more control, especially if there's no operating system currently installed. Apple provides tools like createinstallmedia in Terminal to help you turn a USB stick into a macOS installer.
Create a Bootable Installer (Optional but Helpful)
If your Mac doesn't support Internet Recovery well or your internet is slow, it's better to make your own installer. Here's how:
- Download the macOS installer from the App Store — look for something like "Install macOS Ventura" or the latest version.
- Format your USB drive using Disk Utility: Use GUID partition map and format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
- Open Terminal and use the
createinstallmediacommand — it looks something like:sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Ventura.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyUSB
- Wait for the process to finish — it takes about 20–30 minutes.
This might seem technical, but it's straightforward once the files are downloaded. Don't skip formatting the drive properly — that's a common reason people run into issues here.
Install macOS from Recovery or Installer
Once you've got your installer ready (or if you're using Internet Recovery), plug in the USB drive or hold down Command R while turning on your Mac to enter Recovery Mode.
From there:
- Choose “Reinstall macOS” if you're using Recovery
- Or select the USB drive as the boot device by holding Option at startup
Then follow the on-screen instructions. One important step that often trips people up is formatting the target drive first using Disk Utility. If you're installing on a completely blank drive:
- Open Disk Utility from the installer or Recovery Mode
- Select the internal drive
- Click Erase
- Use APFS (or Mac OS Extended if needed) and give it a name like “Macintosh HD”
After that, continue with the installation. It'll take some time to copy files, install, and restart.
That's basically it. The whole process isn't too bad once you know what to do. Just don't rush through formatting or skip checking your hardware compatibility — those are easy places to get stuck.
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