I've just bought a used iMac with Sonoma installed, and while trying to erase the previous owners details, I seem to have managed to remove the OS. Now the iMac will not start. How can I download Sonoma?
[Re-Titled By Moderator]
iMac (2017 – 2020)
Standard method is to boot into recovery mode.
m1/m3 iMacs: Boot iMac while continuously holding the power button until an "options" appears. Select that.
Intel iMacs: Immediately after powering on iMac press and hold Command-R.
If recovery mode fails you can sometimes reinstall from a Time Machine backup drive or a bootable USB installer.
For more info see: How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
Standard method is to boot into recovery mode.
m1/m3 iMacs: Boot iMac while continuously holding the power button until an "options" appears. Select that.
Intel iMacs: Immediately after powering on iMac press and hold Command-R.
If recovery mode fails you can sometimes reinstall from a Time Machine backup drive or a bootable USB installer.
For more info see: How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
To properly Erase and Format, see > Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support
Then to Reinstall macOS, see > How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
Sadly if the previous owner did not properly prepare the iMac for Resale..?
Then you could very well hit a dead end while trying to do a setup using your ID.
see > What to do before you sell, give away, trade in, or recycle your Mac - Apple Support
How do I reinstall macOS Sonoma on to my iMac?
