Question Installed SSD in iMac. How do I get a Mac OS on it?

[guest2019user]

I went ahead and installed Windows so I could start using it until I figure it out. I just assume to download a Mac dmg to a thumb drive and plug it into the iMac on startup. That is how I got Windows on there in the first place. What is the correct protocol to do what I'm trying to do?

 

[jeremyj_83]

I went ahead and installed Windows so I could start using it until I figure it out. I just assume to download a Mac dmg to a thumb drive and plug it into the iMac on startup. That is how I got Windows on there in the first place. What is the correct protocol to do what I'm trying to do?

Your best bet would be to try cloning the old HDD to the new SSD.

 

[guest2019user]

Your best bet would be to try cloning the old HDD to the new SSD.

Thanks but unfortunately the old drive is dead.

 

[jeremyj_83]

Thanks but unfortunately the old drive is dead.

Not much you can do then. You cannot just download Mac OSX. You might be able to contact Apple and see if they can get you an ISO, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

 

[Alabalcho]

"All you need is a connection to the Internet"
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904

 

[guest2019user]

Not much you can do then. You cannot just download Mac OSX. You might be able to contact Apple and see if they can get you an ISO, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

I got an ISO and drew it to a thumb drive. That made it to the dark bar filling up the light bar under the logo but then it failed with the stop symbol. I could take the SSD back out and put the ISO onto it if that would help. But I don't see why it would make a difference which media the ISO is delivered with.

 

[CloudyFaygo]

I went ahead and installed Windows so I could start using it until I figure it out. I just assume to download a Mac dmg to a thumb drive and plug it into the iMac on startup. That is how I got Windows on there in the first place. What is the correct protocol to do what I'm trying to do?

I have a suggestion for you. I did this on an early 2015 Macbook Pro not long ago. I upgraded the mechanical drive to a SSD that was of course "Out-Of-The-Box" wiped with nothing on it. After installing it, I booted up the machine into Recovery Mode (Hold ⌘ + R) upon boot.

NOTE: Someone might argue that you cannot do this on a blank drive. INCORRECT, if the Apple Recovery Mode is not stored on the drive locally itself will download the needed software. You will either have to ethernet the device or add it to a wireless network when prompted.

I would recommend partitioning the drive to APFS or Mac OS Journalized if you are dealing with Mojave - Catalina.

Once in Recovery Mode you can use "Disk Utility" to partition the drive, and then install the latest version of the OS that was locked into that device. When you do this, the bright side is that the program relies on the most up-dated firmware and drivers.. meaning it should all get pushed to the new SSD seeing as it is empty.

 

[firelighter487]

What is the correct protocol to do what I'm trying to do?

Boot the Mac to internet recovery. to do this, hold down command+option+r when booting up the Mac. from there you can reinstall macOS on the ssd.

 

[USAFRet]

Let's leave off the personal attacks, OK?

 

[firelighter487]

Let's leave off the personal attacks, OK?

that wasn't a personal attack, it was a legitimate question. someone with that many awards on this site should give accurate information, not actual BS that is misleading to people seeking help.

 

[USAFRet]

that wasn't a personal attack, it was a legitimate question. someone with that many awards on this site should give accurate information, not actual BS that is misleading to people seeking help.

There are better ways to express your thoughts rather than using the word "stupid".
End of discussion.

 

[TopHatProductions115]

Boot the Mac to internet recovery. to do this, hold down command+option+r when booting up the Mac. from there you can reinstall macOS on the ssd.

I'll go on and add to the informational portion of this post.

• https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314
• https://www.upgradeable.com.au/pages/imac-ssd-upgrade-guide#4r-macos

Be sure to connect to the Internet first. Then, go for the Internet Recovery option - unless you have a spare Mac or MacOS USB lying around.

 

[jeremyj_83]

are you stupid?

5-6 years ago it was very hard to find MacOS to download. People I knew who made Hackintoshes used BitTorrent to get the ISO. It appears Apple has changed that stance since I had last tried to find OSX to download. My information was wrong, it happens to people.

 

[Anston06]

Sometimes Command + R does not work. Download El Capitan from Apple here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206886. You can upgrade to a newer macOS version from there using app store.

 

[RamBoy_69]

Its really simple! Shut down your Mac and turn it on. Immediately after you press the power button, press and hold Command+R until you see a window named "mac OS Utilities". There will be an option to reinstall Mac OS straight from the device itself. Although it is recommended to get a flash drive and back up all of your data just in case. I've done this many times before without a backup and it saved everything as it is clearly quoting to only "reinstall" mac OS.