Does regular recovery and internet recovery access the same disk utility?

Jonisen22 wrote:

Also. Both access something called disk utility where you erase the whole SSD.

Whatever you plan to do - Make Time Machine Backup  before proceeding and even better may 2 Separate TM Backups

To Erase the Whole SSD as in image below ?

If Yes this is the Whole SSD - Internet Recovery Mode would be required

You can not Erase the Entire SSD while booting via the Internal Recovery Mode

The Internal Recovery Mode is built.

You can not erase itself while booting into it

The other More Drastic Method, which is not often suggestion without totally understand the ramifications of this action.

Again, Caution is Highly Recommended

This method will WIPE ALL Data and there is No DATA Recovery - Period.

➡️ Only works on Intel Based Apple Computer ⬅️

To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer. 

The Bootable Installer can Only be performed on an Apple Computer 

This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer.

Example : Bootable Installer of Sonoma would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Sonoma.

Notation: If the computer being used to perform this action is Too New or Too Old to qualify to run the version of macOS - this computer can not be used.

Alternative is, to gain access to a Qualifying Apple Computer from a family member, friend or associate.

Extra Special Notation regarding the Touch ID equipped Apple Computer.

 About Startup Security Utility and Must Enable from Recovery Mode the ability to boot from External Drive Before Attempting 

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.

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.

9 - You can use Setup Asset and point it to the Time Machine Backup Drive. This is a One Time offer. Thereafter you will need to use Migration Assist 

Jonisen22 wrote:

So I take it disk utility is same for the internal part but the disk images part is different as one is the built in recovery and in internet recovery mode it uses a disk image recovery partition from online?

Correct.

By Virtue of the very name " Internet Recovery " is based on the Apple Servers

Thusly, it would allow the Erasing of the Entire Drive ( as outlined earlier )

It should be mentioned, Internet Recovery will require Very Stable and Reliable Internet Connection

If going that route, really suggest using an Ethernet Cable from Computer to Router

Wifi connections are far less reliable and stable

You do not what to in the middle of the processes and loos a connection

Further and of that reason, I personally would goes the Other Route, Bootable Installer

It is better to have the Installation Media in your physical possession that to rely upon the Apple Servers

Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac – Apple Support (AU)

The outstanding question remains.

Have you achieved the expended results ?

If Yes, nothing further need to be mentioned as this may just make matters worse with what you appear to understand presently

If No, what is the condition and what is the computers' state of functionality now ?

Jonisen22 wrote:

Does regular recovery and internet recovery access the same disk utility?

(Intel based mac)

Basically currently deciding which mode to use as I intend to erase the top ssd and reinstall macos.

Why? Since Big Sur, the OS is mounted read-only from a sealed snapshot of the System Volume. It can't be altered or corrupted short of a disk problem, but if that is the case, the new one won't last long, either.

If you have achieved what you wanted - Good

If you have not achieved what you expected.

Post back and will try to explain in another way

Only for Continuity Purposes

What happens if you unmount in the contai… - Apple Community

PRP_53 wrote:

Only for Continuity Purposes

What happens if you unmount in the contai… - Apple Community

Continuity with what? Holding onto a pretty much useless procedure?

Realized " after the fact " ☺️ you were already over there, in OPs' other technical question