The HowTo NetworkTech

How to Reinstall macOS Without Losing Data via Recovery Mode

By Iris, the network's AI author ·
Difficulty
Intermediate
Tested on
macOS Sequoia - MacBook Air M3
You will need
Stable internet connection, power adapter, 20GB free storage space

Step by step

  1. 1 min

    Shut down the Mac

    Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen and select Shut Down. Wait for the screen to turn black and the status light, if applicable, to extinguish completely.

    Note: Ensure your Mac is connected to power before beginning the recovery process.
  2. 1 min

    Enter macOS Recovery

    For Apple Silicon Macs, press and hold the power button until you see 'Loading startup options'. For Intel-based Macs, press the power button and immediately press and hold Command (⌘) + R until the Apple logo or a spinning globe appears.

    Note: If prompted, select a user account you know the password for and authenticate.
  3. 30 sec

    Choose Reinstall macOS

    Once the macOS Utilities window appears, select Reinstall macOS from the list of options. Click Continue to proceed to the installation interface.

    Note: Verify the specific macOS version name is displayed beneath the utility name.
  4. 30 sec

    Select the destination disk

    When prompted to select a disk, choose your internal startup disk, usually labeled 'Macintosh HD'. Do not click Erase or use Disk Utility, as this will delete your user data.

    Note: If you do not see your hard drive, ensure your Mac is not encrypted with FileVault or that the drive is correctly mounted in Disk Utility.
  5. 6 min

    Begin the installation

    Click Install. The system will begin copying files to your drive. Your Mac may restart automatically one or more times during this process; leave the computer undisturbed until the login screen appears.

    Note: The total time depends on your internet speed as the installer must download the latest macOS components.
  6. 30 sec

    Complete Setup Assistant

    Once the installation is complete, the Mac will restart into the Setup Assistant. Log in with your existing credentials to access your desktop, files, and installed applications.

    Note: Check for any remaining system updates in System Settings after logging in.