How to Perform a Clean Installation of macOS 10.14 Mojave

[ZMacintosh]

Attempted these instructions but received an error "You must specify a volume path."

Used this instead from another article and it worked:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Corsair -- /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app

hmm how would that one work?

is your external disk labeled

Corsair --

? and your install string is incorrect.

It would be easier rename your disk/volume to Mac or something than one with dashes and spaces, and use the proper string, so it should look something similar to this:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Mac

 

[DuncanGarp]

Attempted these instructions but received an error "You must specify a volume path."

Used this instead from another article and it worked:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Corsair -- /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app

Thanks for this tip. I was able to do clean install.

 

[KHANNAPA]

After upgrading to Mojave 10.14 from HighSierra, I've experienced nothing but performance issues. My iMac is CONSIDERABLY slower and worse, the screen starts to flicker erratically 10-15min of normal use. I am certain that these flashes will cause a seizure at one point!

Initially I thought it was a hardware failure (memory, graphics memory, etc.) and conducted all Apple hardware/software diagnostics and found no issues. I even purchased programs like CleanMyMac and EtreCheck to see if I was missing something. So after continuing to update (now on 10.14.5), hoping it would correct itself - I am now thinking of doing a clean install.

I was thinking that after a timemachine backup, I would just go into Recovery mode, erase the disk, and restore the OS from the version shipped with my mac. Then upgrade it to High Sierra (can I do that or must I go straight to Mojave?). If I can stay at HighSierra, then I would restore my timemachine from there (can I do that given TimeMachine was backed up when i was on Mojave?) I could go straight to Mojave and restore the Time Machine backup and cross my fingers that will work to correct everything.

Thoughts on the cleanest way to do this?

 

[Shirasaki]

Deleted.

 

[Isamilis]

My suggestion, format the disk, run fresh install Mojave (which is cleaner than upgrade), and restore your files from time machine afterwards. Mac will ask you, which users to restore, what kind of files, etc.

After upgrading to Mojave 10.14 from HighSierra, I've experienced nothing but performance issues. My iMac is CONSIDERABLY slower and worse, the screen starts to flicker erratically 10-15min of normal use. I am certain that these flashes will cause a seizure at one point!

Initially I thought it was a hardware failure (memory, graphics memory, etc.) and conducted all Apple hardware/software diagnostics and found no issues. I even purchased programs like CleanMyMac and EtreCheck to see if I was missing something. So after continuing to update (now on 10.14.5), hoping it would correct itself - I am now thinking of doing a clean install.

I was thinking that after a timemachine backup, I would just go into Recovery mode, erase the disk, and restore the OS from the version shipped with my mac. Then upgrade it to High Sierra (can I do that or must I go straight to Mojave?). If I can stay at HighSierra, then I would restore my timemachine from there (can I do that given TimeMachine was backed up when i was on Mojave?) I could go straight to Mojave and restore the Time Machine backup and cross my fingers that will work to correct everything.

Thoughts on the cleanest way to do this?

 

[SalisburySam]

Saying iMacs can’t use APFS is a misnomer. The culprit is the Fusion Drive, not any particular style of Mac. There are plenty of non-Fusion Drive iMacs out there. My 2017 iMac is running on APFS, too, and no, it does not use a Fusion Drive.

Agree. My iMac 18,3 uses APFS but has an SSD only.