Erase and Restore without internet

I want to erase my imac ( 21.5-inch, Late 2013 2.7 GHz Quad-Core Intel) and reinstall the os - all the Apple instructions involve having an internet connection. Top speed here is 18 Mbps.


I have a Time Machine backup.


Will recovery mode work without a connection? I could download at work if necessary.


Thanks so much for any suggestions.

iMac

Posted on Jan 8, 2023 5:14 AM

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Jan 8, 2023 7:55 AM in response to PLB

Do you have a time machine backup? This process is 100% destructive, and a TimeMachine backup properly stored on an external drive is the only way to recover all your data and apps and whatever you don’t miss now.


1) download Catalina from here https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/macos-catalina/id1466841314?mt=12

2) Rename a USB memory stick 16GB minimum as ‘untitled’

it will be erased by the next process.

3)Open Terminal and enter this command line:


sudo '/Applications/Install macOS Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia' --volume /Volumes/untitled --nointeraction


4) when done(it will take many minutes to complete), Restart your computer holding the option Key. Select the USB with the fresh OS.

5) Use Disk First Aid to erase and Drive,

6) Use Install MacOs to reinstall Catalina.


After restart your computer will be like brand new, suitable to be given to a new user OR

you can re-enter your Apple ID and select to restore your data from your TimeMachine backup.


One complication: to successfully restore from TimeMachine, your User ID, your Home folder Name and your HardDrive Name, all have to match the existing ones, or the backup may not restore properly.


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Erase and Restore without internet

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