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User profile for user: KristianHG
KristianHG Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Deleted disk volume by mistake, cant re-install macOS

I have some issues with re-installing macOS after i managed to delete the internal Macintosh HD APFS volume by mistake.


I have recently bought a new Macbook, and was preparing my old Air for sale. I used Disk Utility in Recovery Mode, chose Macintosh HD, and hit Erase, just like the guide told me. Afterwards i was going to re-install Big Sur, but had problems with storage (needed about 7.4GB). I went back to Disk Utility, and noticed that the Macintosh HD had 85.16GB used for "Other Volumes". This is where i made the mistake, and pressed "-" in the toolbar to delete the volume.


After this my Mac obviously could not find a disk for installing macOS when went back to the installer. I tried adding a APFS volume by using "+" in the Disk Utility toolbar. This added a volume, which i can find in the installer, but I still need more space to install macOS, and "Other Volumes" still takes up 85.16GB.


When I try to start my Macbook now it only shows an Error, but i can still access Recovery Mode.

How do I free up enough space to re-install a macOS, and how can I get my Macbook up running again?


MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.2

Posted on Mar 17, 2021 12:41 AM

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User profile for user: PRP_53
PRP_53
User level: Level 10
91,741 points

Posted on Mar 17, 2021 1:08 AM

What I am going to suggest is a Long Process and will require time and a Good Stable Internet connection. Yes prepared and willing try this.

1 - Shutdown computer and remove any attached USB Devices.

Connect to charger

2 - Disconnect ALL Other devices using the Wifi - want the Maximum Bandwidth for this operation

3 - Move Offending computer as close the Router as possible

4 - Restart computer AND immediately hold the tree keys - Command + Option + r - This is Internet Recovery Mode.

5 - It will ask for Computer Password - input AND watch for Wifi iCon to appear - Input the Wifi Password

6 - If successful - it will start to load an Apple Globe - depending on speed of Internet and Apple Servers it will take some time to fully Load.

7 - Once fully loaded - Top Menu Bar - look for Disk Utilities >> View >> View All connected Devices

8 - On Left Side look for Upper Most Device ( Usually called Apple SSD ) - choose this Device

9 - On Right Side Choose Erase - Give it a name - below that choose APFS and below that choose GUID Partition Map

10 - Now choose Erase - this will re-format the Entire Drive and there will be Zero data

11 - Once done, back out of Disk Utilities and it will present option - Choose Install MacOS

12 -Just allow it to download the latest version of macOS this computer is qualifies for.

13 - Follow any prompts and it may reboot several times until it is 100% finished

14 - If all goes well, it will eventually Present the Setup Assist - as if it was a New Computer.

15 - If giving the machine may , selling or trading it it in - Do Not Use the Setup Assist - Just Power Down the computer via the Power Button / Touch ID Button ( both are the same )


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User profile for user: PRP_53
PRP_53
User level: Level 10
91,741 points

Mar 17, 2021 1:08 AM in response to KristianHG

What I am going to suggest is a Long Process and will require time and a Good Stable Internet connection. Yes prepared and willing try this.

1 - Shutdown computer and remove any attached USB Devices.

Connect to charger

2 - Disconnect ALL Other devices using the Wifi - want the Maximum Bandwidth for this operation

3 - Move Offending computer as close the Router as possible

4 - Restart computer AND immediately hold the tree keys - Command + Option + r - This is Internet Recovery Mode.

5 - It will ask for Computer Password - input AND watch for Wifi iCon to appear - Input the Wifi Password

6 - If successful - it will start to load an Apple Globe - depending on speed of Internet and Apple Servers it will take some time to fully Load.

7 - Once fully loaded - Top Menu Bar - look for Disk Utilities >> View >> View All connected Devices

8 - On Left Side look for Upper Most Device ( Usually called Apple SSD ) - choose this Device

9 - On Right Side Choose Erase - Give it a name - below that choose APFS and below that choose GUID Partition Map

10 - Now choose Erase - this will re-format the Entire Drive and there will be Zero data

11 - Once done, back out of Disk Utilities and it will present option - Choose Install MacOS

12 -Just allow it to download the latest version of macOS this computer is qualifies for.

13 - Follow any prompts and it may reboot several times until it is 100% finished

14 - If all goes well, it will eventually Present the Setup Assist - as if it was a New Computer.

15 - If giving the machine may , selling or trading it it in - Do Not Use the Setup Assist - Just Power Down the computer via the Power Button / Touch ID Button ( both are the same )


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Deleted disk volume by mistake, cant re-install macOS

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