Installing macOS

I usually prefer wiping out my whole hard drive and just doing a fresh install. I've done macOS upgrades in the past but I still feel the bloat after two continuous OS upgrades (And all those annoying temporary/hidden files that take up space). So, let's create a bootable macOS installer!

Download macOS Tahoe

You can no longer download the macOS Tahoe directly from the AppStore as of this writing. But you can

1. Open Terminal

softwareupdate --list-full-installers

And you'll see something like this:

1. Run the command below and replace the version with the latest one you see on the list:

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 26.3.2

1. After downloading, you'll find it in your Applications folder

Create a Bootable USB Installer

Once downloaded:

1. Insert a 16GB+ USB drive

2. Format it using Disk Utility

   • Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

   • Scheme: GUID Partition Map

   
3. Then run this command:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Tahoe.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyUSB

Boot From the USB

Warning: There's no going back after this point, so be sure to back up your files to the cloud. If you’re not comfortable with that, you can always do a manual backup using your external hard drive.

Let the purge begin! 🐵

Shut down your the Mac. Plug in the USB. Press and hold the power button. And wait until you see:

“Loading startup options…”

A screen will appear asking you which device you want to boot from.

• Select Options → Continue

• You’ll enter macOS Recovery (You might be asked to enter your login password)

• From the menu choose Disk Utility

Then wipe the disk

• In Disk Utility click View → Show All Devices

• Select the top internal disk (It's the Storage Device, usually something like Apple SSD).

• Click Erase

  • Then use these settings:

    • Name: Macintosh HD

    • Format: APFS

    • Scheme: GUID Partition Map

    

You'll be presented with some prompts. Click on Erase Mac... → Erase Mac and Restart

Your machine will reboot. Once done, you'll see an Activate Mac screen. Connect to the internet and click Next. In the Activation Lock screen, you'll need to enter some details to activate your mac. Once done, tap on Exit to Recovery.

Since you're booting from Recovery Mode, you won't see the macOS Tahoe installer here. Shutdown your computer, and boot again from your USB by long pressing the power button.

Now select Install macOS Tahoe

Then follow the rest of the installation process!