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How to install a fresh copy of macOS?

Andrea Filippini

Andrea Filippini

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 27, 2020
403
345
Tuscany, Italy
Hi everyone,
I would upgrade the HDD of my Mac mini mid 2010 with an SSD but I don't know the steps to achieve the result.
I know how to install physically the SSD (tutorial around the web) but I don't know how to install a fresh copy of mac OS on the SSD (file APFS).
Can you help me step by step?
Thank you very much.
 
Making a bootable USB installer would be quicker.

Brand new hard drive means no recovery partition. You can only use internet recovery and you have to wait for it to download the OS first, and then install it.
 
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Another question: if the SSD is empty without any OS installed how can I boot the recovery mode using only the bootable usb installer through option command?
 
Can I fix the issue using a sata-usb adapter?
To resume: attach to iMac (boot disk macOS 10.13) the usb bootable installer and the SSD through sata-usb adapter.
Launch recovery mode through option command, select usb bootable installer and install macOS into SSD selecting file APFS.
After remove HDD from Mac mini and install SSD (with now macOS 10.13).
Can it work?
 
You dont launch recovery from a USB installer. You just boot from the USB drive, format your disk with Disk Utility, then run the installer.
 
Monotremata said:
You dont launch recovery from a USB installer. You just boot from the USB drive, format your disk with Disk Utility, then run the installer.
Click to expand...
So I don't need a sata adapter, right?
To summarize...I need only to launch the usb bootable installer with only the empty SSD connected? (HDD with macOS is out)
Does the machine recognize option command from the usb bootable installer?
Thank you.
 
the problem with this outdated way, if you only have bluetooth KB/M ... you are screwed. Unless for whatever reason apple only recognizes their own bluetooth KB/M that early in the boot?

Otherwise you need wired stuff to work through it.
 
doobybiggs said:
the problem with this outdated way, if you only have bluetooth KB/M ... you are screwed. Unless for whatever reason apple only recognizes their own bluetooth KB/M that early in the boot?

Otherwise you need wired stuff to work through it.
Click to expand...
I use a logitech bluetooth keyboard and a logitech wireless mouse...is it a problem?
I have also the original Apple KB/M but they are bluetooth.
Can I perform the boot only with cable?
 
Andrea Filippini said:
I use a logitech bluetooth keyboard and a logitech wireless mouse...is it a problem?
I have also the original Apple KB/M but they are bluetooth.
Can I perform the boot only with cable?
Click to expand...

I hope I have missed something huge with this, but I have only ever been able to do this with wired stuff. Had to go buy the cheapest KB/M I could find just for these random restart commands I need to use like once a year.
 
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doobybiggs said:
I hope I have missed something huge with this, but I have only ever been able to do this with wired stuff. Had to go buy the cheapest KB/M I could find just for these random restart commands I need to use like once a year.
Click to expand...
Can you advise me a cheap KB/M compatible with mac?
I have some wired KB/M but they don't work on mac.
 
This is just the cheapest thing I could find. I think I got it off amazon. They are very basic Dell KB/M combo.

C345D387-730A-455C-A0A9-585AFF266504.jpeg
 
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doobybiggs said:
I hope I have missed something huge with this, but I have only ever been able to do this with wired stuff. Had to go buy the cheapest KB/M I could find just for these random restart commands I need to use like once a year.
Click to expand...
I have a Gen 1 (Replaceable Batteries) Magic Keyboard and Magic TrackPad and i'm able to launch into recovery just fine. Although it's now a little trickier since i've lost my startup chime after doing a Catalina update.
 
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hmmm maybe I am just not timing it correctly then? I just know I tried like 10 times with my logitech setup and got nothing, first time with my USB setup and it worked. That would be typical apple though if they only allowed their stuff to be recognized during boot haha
 
There are a couple other threads on this somewhere. Evidently, when you plug the Magic Keyboard into the Mini with the USB to Lightning cable, it functions like a USB keyboard and works with recovery. Happily, I've never had a need to test this myself. :)
 
Logitech stuff won't work.. I THINK it only wants the Apple stuff over BT. I have a Marathon mouse and it never sees it in Recovery until I switch it over to the USB receiver. Never tried it with a keyboard though, I still use the wired keyboard with the 10 key on it.

Ive seen that feature with the Magic Keyboard listed in the reviews of them. I almost bought one last year but ultimately got the older wired one off eBay instead. I figured as much as Im on this thing, Id probably have the keyboard plugged in charging all the time anyways, might as well only spend $30 on one hehe.
 
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