Trying to erase iMac to donate. Used Command plus R. I said to erase but I need to used Disk Utility to install macOS. Is the info gone noe or do I need to try install Mac OS. It keeps giving me an error can't find Recovery
iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13
I understand you want to donate that Mac, but if you want it to be usable then you must first create a "bootable USB installer" of High Sierra according to Create a bootable installer - Apple Support. If you don't do that, then you can erase it, but it will not contain an operating system and there will be no way for you to install an operating system (see the italicized explanation • below).
Please consider that fact before contemplating erasing it. Once that Mac has been erased, there will be no other way to install High Sierra or any other operating system, other than that "bootable USB installer".
Refer to Use a bootable installer in How to download and install macOS - Apple Support for an explanation.
Then:
Refer to Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support. In its Step 1, use the key chord ⌘ ⌥ R (three fingers: command - option - R) instead of ⌘ R as you have been doing. That will force the Internet version of Recovery instead of using the built-in Recovery partition which doesn't appear to be working in your case.
Once the Mac has been erased, Step 10 describes how to reinstall macOS... but it won't work, because Apple silently and inexplicably removed that ability several months ago.
The only way to reinstall High Sierra will be using that "bootable USB installer" you just created.
I understand you want to donate that Mac, but if you want it to be usable then you must first create a "bootable USB installer" of High Sierra according to Create a bootable installer - Apple Support. If you don't do that, then you can erase it, but it will not contain an operating system and there will be no way for you to install an operating system (see the italicized explanation • below).
Please consider that fact before contemplating erasing it. Once that Mac has been erased, there will be no other way to install High Sierra or any other operating system, other than that "bootable USB installer".
Refer to Use a bootable installer in How to download and install macOS - Apple Support for an explanation.
Then:
Refer to Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support. In its Step 1, use the key chord ⌘ ⌥ R (three fingers: command - option - R) instead of ⌘ R as you have been doing. That will force the Internet version of Recovery instead of using the built-in Recovery partition which doesn't appear to be working in your case.
Once the Mac has been erased, Step 10 describes how to reinstall macOS... but it won't work, because Apple silently and inexplicably removed that ability several months ago.
The only way to reinstall High Sierra will be using that "bootable USB installer" you just created.
Some Macs are too old to use Internet Recovery. What model is yours?
Hi John thanks for all your information. I really just want to erase my personal information. I'll turn it in to one of the local electronic recycle drops. I should have explained it better in the original text.
would the hard drive and my information be gone now, after erasing ? Thanks again
It's from about 2011 iMac desk top. I haven't been able to update operating system for a few years. Sorry not sure of model
Oh yes, absolutely. There will be no need to reinstall anything. Go ahead and recycle it.
Used command R to erase imac keep getting no recovery
