removing OS and installing new
I have an older mac with a 3.2 Ghz intel core i5 and want to remove the current OSX10.95 and install the new Monterey 12. Will I be able to do this? Much appreciated
iMac Line (2012 and Later)
Question marked as
Does the >> Computer Qualify for the Monterey upgrade ?
If it is not listed - NO it can not be done.
The Age of this computer will Govern what newer version of macOS it will Qualify to install. Use About this Mac from the Apple Icon on Desktop - the required Information will be there.
With the above information in-hand - follow this How to get old versions of macOS and verify what version this computer Qualifies to install. For Best results use Safari to commence the download as Others may not work.
macOS Big Sur 11 hardware requirements
macOS Catalina 10.15 hardware requirements
macOS Mojave 10.14 hardware requirements
macOS High Sierra 10.13 hardware requirements
macOS Sierra 10.12 hardware requirements
OS X El Capitan - Technical Specifications
To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer.
This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Apple Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer. Example : Bootable Installer of Big Sur would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Big Sur.
Once that is done read on for preparing the Destination computer >> Only works on Intel Based Apple Computers.
1 - Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drive Except the newly created Bootable Installer.
2- Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive.
3 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives.
4 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).
5 - The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as APFS with the GUID Partition Map. This applies to macOS 10.14 Mojave and above.
5A - Formatting for macOS 10.13 High Sierra and below requires HFS Journaled with the GUID Partition Map
6 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS.
7 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time.
8 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.