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Mac

Set up a Mac with Apple silicon from scratch

After these steps your Mac runs a freshly installed macOS without old data, settings or leftover app files. The guide applies to all Macs with Apple silicon (M1 and later) running macOS 15 Sequoia, macOS 26 Tahoe and macOS 27 Golden Gate.

Platform
macOS
Applies to
Mac with Apple silicon, macOS 15 Sequoia to macOS 27 Golden Gate
Time needed
approx. 90 Min.
Level
Advanced
Mac mit Apple-Chip komplett neu aufsetzen Apple

What you need

  • A current backup of all data, for example with Time Machine on an external drive
  • Power adapter, the Mac must stay plugged in throughout the whole process
  • Name and password of your Wi-Fi network, or a network cable
  • The password of an administrator account on the Mac
  • Email address and password of your Apple Account
  • Around 1 to 1.5 hours. The time depends mainly on the internet connection.

  1. Step 1: Back up your data

    Back up all files you want to keep. The easiest way is Time Machine to an external drive. Alternatively, copy the files manually to an external drive or to cloud storage.

    Spot-check that the backed-up files open.

    Note: Setting up the Mac from scratch permanently erases all data on it. Without a backup it cannot be recovered.

  2. Step 2: Shut down the Mac

    Apple menuShut Down

    Connect the power adapter. The Mac must stay plugged in throughout the whole process.

    Choose «Shut Down» from the Apple menu and wait until the screen is completely black. If the Mac no longer responds, press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds.

  3. Step 3: Load the startup options

    Press and hold the power button. On laptops with Touch ID, this is the Touch ID button at the top right of the keyboard.

    Only release it when «Loading startup options» or the «Options» icon appears.

  4. Step 4: Choose «Options»

    Click «Options» and then «Continue», which appears below it.

    The Mac starts macOS Recovery.

    • Macintosh HD
    • Options (click here)
    • Continue
    Simplified sketch, the actual screen may look slightly different.

  5. Step 5: Sign in with the administrator account

    Choose the language if the Mac asks for it.

    Select a user whose password you know, click «Next» and enter the password that user signs in to the Mac with.

  6. Step 6: Open Disk Utility

    In the Recovery window, select «Disk Utility» and click «Continue».

    • Restore from Time Machine
    • Reinstall macOS
    • Safari
    • Disk Utility (click here)
    • Continue
    Simplified sketch, the actual screen may look slightly different.

  7. Step 7: Select Macintosh HD for erasing

    In the sidebar under «Internal», select the «Macintosh HD» volume.

    Then click «Erase» in the toolbar.

    If there are other volumes you added yourself under «Internal», first select each one and remove it with the minus button in the toolbar. Leave the volumes named «Macintosh HD» and «Macintosh HD - Data» in place.

    • Internal
    • Macintosh HD
    • External
    • Erase (click here)
    Simplified sketch, the actual screen may look slightly different.

  8. Step 8: Erase the volume group

    In the dialog, set the name to «Macintosh HD» and the format to «APFS».

    Click «Erase Volume Group». This removes the system and the data together. If this button does not appear, click «Erase».

    Enter your Apple Account if the Mac asks for it and confirm with «Erase Mac».

    • Name Macintosh HD
    • Format APFS
    • Erase Volume Group (click here)
    • Cancel
    • Erase
    Simplified sketch, the actual screen may look slightly different.

  9. Step 9: Activate the Mac

    The Mac restarts. Choose the language, then select a network from the Wi-Fi menu at the top right, or connect a network cable.

    The Mac activates over the internet. Sign in with your Apple Account if asked.

    Once activation is complete, click «Exit to Recovery Utilities».

  10. Step 10: Choose «Reinstall macOS»

    In the Recovery window, select «Reinstall macOS» and click «Continue».

    • Restore from Time Machine
    • Reinstall macOS (click here)
    • Safari
    • Disk Utility
    • Continue
    Simplified sketch, the actual screen may look slightly different.

  11. Step 11: Start the installation

    Follow the instructions, accept the licence agreement and choose «Macintosh HD» as the destination.

    The installation downloads macOS from the internet and restarts the Mac several times. Keep the lid open and do not switch the Mac off.

    • Macintosh HD (click here)
    • Continue
    Simplified sketch, the actual screen may look slightly different.

  12. Step 12: Set up the Mac without transferring data

    After the installation, Setup Assistant appears. Set up country, language, Wi-Fi, Apple Account and your user account.

    When asked about transferring data, choose not to transfer anything now. A full transfer with Migration Assistant would also bring back settings and leftover app files that may have caused the original problem.

  13. Step 13: Restore files and apps

    Copy your personal files such as documents and pictures back from the backup by hand, or let iCloud Drive sync them.

    Reinstall your apps from the App Store or from the developer's website.

    Check that the original problem has been resolved before installing further software.

Frequently asked questions

The startup options do not appear. What now?
Shut the Mac down completely, wait 10 seconds and press and hold the power button again. Only release it when the text «Loading startup options» appears.
Recovery does not start. Is there an alternative?
Press and hold the power button, release it and immediately press and hold it again. This starts fallback Recovery, a second, separate copy. If that does not work either, the Mac can be revived with a second Mac and Apple Configurator over a USB-C cable. Contact your IT for this.
Is «Erase All Content and Settings» in System Settings not enough?
This feature under «General» and «Transfer or Reset» erases data, settings and apps but keeps the installed macOS. That is sufficient when passing the Mac on. For a faulty system, fully erasing and reinstalling via Recovery is the safer route.
Why does the Mac install an older macOS version?
Recovery may offer the version that was installed before the last major upgrade. Install the newer updates afterwards via «Software Update» in System Settings.

Stuck on a step?

Start a remote support session and we will take a look at your screen together with you.

Remote Support (Mac) Helpdesk (Windows) info@guycolle.com

Sources

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