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How to Reinstall macOS Catalina

If something goes wrong, there's recovery mode

By Adam S. Doud Adam S. Doud Writer Adam has been writing about mobile technology since 2011. He is the former host of the Android Authority podcast, and his work has appeared in numerous publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on July 27, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Apple Macs iPad

What to Know

Restart your Mac and hold down Command+R during the startup to enter Recovery Mode.Next, select Reinstall macOS > Continue > Continue > Agree.Finally, choose a disk and choose Install to begin the download and installation. This article explains how to reinstall macOS Catalina on a Mac. Apple makes it easy. All you need is an internet connection, and you’re set.

How to Fresh Install macOS Catalina

It's a good idea to back up any important files you have prior to reinstalling. You need a reliable internet connection because the Mac downloads the files it needs from the internet. Apple built a recovery mode into macOS for times when you need to reinstall an operating system. Click the Apple logo and select Restart. Click Restart. As soon as the computer starts to shut down, hold down Command+R. Continue holding these keys past the black screen and/or music you hear when the computer boots up (depending on how old the Mac is) until you see Recovery Mode. Then release the keys. You may be prompted to select a user you know the password for. Click the user and click Next. Enter the password for the user you selected. Click Reinstall MacOS > Continue. Click Continue. Click Agree to agree to the software license agreement. Select the disk where you want to install the operating system. In some cases, you may need to unlock the drive. Click Install or Unlock. If you had to click "Unlock," enter the password for an administrator on the computer. Usually, it is the same password as the one you entered in Step 4. If you had to unlock, now click Install. The computer takes a while to download and install the operating system. Expect to wait 15 to 25 minutes, depending on the speed of your internet connection and computer. When the installation is complete, your computer restarts. Any slowdowns or other issues you noticed should be cleared up. If not, think about completely reinstalling everything. Fortunately, there are ways to do that, too. Reinstalling macOS Catalina from recovery mode shouldn't affect any of your saved files; it simply replaces the OS with a brand new copy.

After Reinstalling macOS Catalina

After you complete the reinstall, check for updates to make sure you have all the latest software. Click the Apple logo and select System Preferences in the drop-down menu. Click Software Update. Your Mac checks to make sure you have the latest software installed. If so, it lets you know. Otherwise, it prompts you to install any updates that are available. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Install Mac OS on PC How to Downgrade From Catalina to Mojave How to Reinstall macOS Monterey How to Install MySQL on macOS How to Restart a Mac in Recovery Mode How to Reset MacBook Air How to Reinstall Mac OS How to Upgrade to macOS Ventura How to Reformat Your MacBook Pro How to Wipe Your MacBook Pro How to Install Norton Antivirus How to Reset an iPad Without a Password How to Format a Mac Hard Drive With Disk Utility How to Get Into and Out of iPhone Recovery Mode How to Reset Your MacBook or MacBook Pro How to Upgrade to macOS Catalina Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies