How to install OSX on 2014 Mac Mini?

[jave808]

Hello
The other day I installed a Linux distro (Manjaro) on my 2014 Mac Mini. Everything works except the wifi (I think it needs certain drivers etc)
Now I'm wanting to sell this machine and put a version of OSX onto it.
Where can I legally obtain a version of OSX off the web? You can download Win10 and 11 from the Microsoft site. Is it possible to do the same with Apple?

 

[Fishrrman]

I would try this:

1. Connect to ethernet if you have it. Wifi works for this, but ethernet is better.

2. Boot to INTERNET recovery:
Command-OPTION-R
at boot.

3. Keep holding those keys down until the spinning globe appears, or until you get asked for a wifi password (again, ethernet is better).

4. The utilities take a while to load, be patient as the globe spins.

5. When the utilities are loaded, open disk utility.

6. VERY IMPORTANT -- you need to go to the "view" menu and choose "show ALL devices". (you can't see the internal drive unless you do this)

7. In the list on the left, the topmost item should be the internal drive. Click on it and click the erase button.

8. Erase to APFS, GUID partition format.

9. Quit disk utility and open the OS installer. I believe it will offer you Monterey.

10. Start clicking through. The Mac will reboot several times, and the screen will go dark for a minute or more with no indication of activity. Just be patient.

11. When done, you'll see the initial setup screen (choose your language).

12. I would not proceed further. Just quit the setup (try command-Q). If that doesn't work, press AND HOLD the power on button until the screen goes dark and the power goes off.

It's ready for the new owner. The first time he/she turns it on, they'll see the initial setup screen, as if it were new...

 

[jave808]

Thanks @Fishrrman I have printed off a copy of your points.

So, I got into Internet Recovery. BUT then got a 5101F error. I tried wifi first, then ethernet, but got the same error.

So I did a quick Google search and found this thread on Reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookrepair/comments/kab0an

Holding down SHIFT-Command-Option-R worked!!! I have now successfully installed a version of OSX - Yosemite!!

I exited the setup with Command-Q and shutdown. When I reboot I get the prompt to select my country and continue etc.

Now a new question. Is it worth continuing to install a later version of macOS? Like Big Sur etc. Or should I leave it as is?

 

[Marshall73]

Thanks @Fishrrman I have printed off a copy of your points.

So, I got into Internet Recovery. BUT then got a 5101F error. I tried wifi first, then ethernet, but got the same error.

So I did a quick Google search and found this thread on Reddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/macbookrepair/comments/kab0an

Holding down SHIFT-Command-Option-R worked!!! I have now successfully installed a version of OSX - Yosemite!!

I exited the setup with Command-Q and shutdown. When I reboot I get the prompt to select my country and continue etc.

Now a new question. Is it worth continuing to install a later version of macOS? Like Big Sur etc. Or should I leave it as is?

Depends what you are running. If you don’t need to be on an older OS then upgrade to the latest so that you are fully protected with security updates/patches etc.

 

[Fishrrman]

According to everymac.com, the last supported OS for the 2014 Mini is Monterey.

Not sure why it wouldn't install from "regular" internet recovery.
Might be a firmware upgrade "somewhere in-between" Yosemite and Monterey that isn't there.

I'd suggest creating a bootable flash drive with perhaps OS 10.14 Mojave on it.
See if it will upgrade to that...