Help with clean reinstall.

I need to clean and install Big Sur again from scratch. I have two backups of my Macbook Air 2019 13" In the past I didn't know I needed ....I think it was my itunes id/pwd....I can't find any articles on what to do to prepare.


1) How do I wipe it clean?

2) Is it better to install from the internet, or to create a bootable thumb drive and install from that?

3) If I am installing from the internet, is it better to hard wire my mac to the router or use wifi?

4) Do I nee to write down anything other than thte following ids/pwds?

  • Apple ID
  • Laptop
  • 1Password
  • keychain
  • Router
  • Wifi
  • Email IDs


5) Of course all the settings will be lost on the system and apps. I am going to try to make some screen grabs.


6) Any of the following apps bring up issues? Quicken, 1Password,. NordVPN, Zoom, Skype, Etrecheck, Malware Bytes, Magnet, Chrome, Firefox, Evernote, Discord, Brother P-Touch, Canon Printer, Android 'File xfer, Alfred., Microsoft Teams., Microsoft Todo, VLC.


7) I have 2 gmail and 1 outlook email accounts. Am I correct in they will all download when I set up mail again:


8) Messages will get populated again from Apple?


9) My iPhone XR is synched. Do I need to do anything there?


10) Other than a few valium, is there anything else I should or shouldn't do?


11)There are multiple sets of directions for doing this. What's best?


12) I connect to my Apple TV via my router...anything to do/consider?


13) Is there a way to make sure my backups are good before I start?


14) Process for reinstalling from Time Machine? Or should I ONLY reinstall documents from Time Machine?


(Hyperventillating.)

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MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.2

Posted on Apr 11, 2021 9:56 PM

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2 replies

Apr 11, 2021 10:46 PM in response to Jarmaracark

Make a bootable flash installer so you can do the install as fast as possible. In Disk Utility reveal and select the target device (not just the volume under it) and erase it as APFS (SSD highly recommended -- APFS HDDs are too slow).


Use Carbon Copy Cloner to make a bootable backup of the old system on an external disk so you can grab files from it to the new system (or easily downgrade, if needed).


You might 1st do a test install on an external disk and test your mission critical software there.


Have important app installers and their license info and other important passwords archived.


Restore with either Migration Assistant or by manually copying data files, (any local ~/Library/Mail), and installing apps.



Apr 12, 2021 2:42 AM in response to Jarmaracark

How to create a bootable installer for macOS and be sure to open the links in next page using Safari as Other may not work. It is my opinion to Not Depend in Apple Servers to Wipe and Clean Install the OS but use the Bootable Installer method.


This 2019 MBA has the Secure Boot Turned On by Default and will not boot from Any External Drives. But there is a way to Turn this Off - Read About Startup Security Utility


Once those thing are in place - Following directions of @ Matti Haveri



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Help with clean reinstall.

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