How to clean install macOS 11 Big Sur

The official version of macOS Big Sur 11 is available for free download starting from November 12, 2020. It has the best Safari browser we've ever seen, a new design and a very convenient control center. Ready? Let's see how to install it.

There are two ways to install a new macOS: 1) perform a regular upgrade through the Apple main menu (replace the current macOS on the boot disk with Big Sur); 2) install macOS completely from scratch. Method 2 is a little more complicated and time consuming – but it has many benefits. This article will explain how to install Big Sur freshly without any problems and how it will be beneficial for your Mac.

Why should you install macOS 11 completely

Whenever a new macOS is launched, we can’t wait to try it out. Apple promises many amazing improvements that are hard to resist temptation. Therefore, it is not surprising that people tend to be eager to achieve success and choose the fastest way to upgrade macOS - regular installation. Not only is it faster, it also allows you to keep all saved settings, applications, and files on your new system. But is this really what your Mac needs?

To support a brand new installation, here are the benefits it will have for your Mac:

• Clean up unnecessary cluttered files and old system errors
• Your Mac will run faster—just like you just unboxed
• Uninstall software you have never used
• Fix common problems such as slowing down and freezing of Macs

Typically, installing a new macOS Big Sur on a clean drive will give your Mac plenty of room to breathe. You are unlikely to have a FAQ with Big Sur and have the opportunity to keep only the data you really need. It's like moving new furniture into an empty apartment, not a messy one.

Mac models compatible with macOS 11

Make sure you check compatibility before you take any steps to switch to Big Sur. With the release of macOS 11, Apple is a year or two ahead of supporting devices, so your Mac may not be on the list (oops). Here are the Mac models that support Big Sur:

• MacBook (2015 or later)
• MacBook Air (2013 or later)
• MacBook Pro (2013 or later)
• Mac Pro (2013 or later)
• Mac mini (2014 or later)
• iMac (2014 or later)
• iMac Pro (2017 or later).

Not sure which model you have? You can easily check by clicking the Apple icon > About this unit. You will find the information you need in the Overview section.

Steps to install Big Sur freshly

Once you decide to start over with macOS Big Sur, you only need six steps to achieve your goals. Make sure you follow all the steps and get a safe experience.

Step 1: Delete all junk files

When we said that a fresh installation would remove everything on our Mac, we forgot an important detail – backup. If you back up your Mac before upgrading, you will be able to recover all files (and all the cluttered files contained in the old system) on the new macOS. You want to recover files, but you don't want to recover messy files. Therefore, the first step should be to thoroughly clean up your system.

Don't worry, this just sounds a little scary. Applications like CleanMyMac X allow you to delete all cluttered files in one click - from old cache to duplicate files. Here is how to prepare a Mac backup:

1. Open CleanMyMac X > Smart Scan
2. Wait for a few seconds to complete the scan
3. View unwanted files detected by CleanMyMac X and click Remove.

You can also choose to delete only the system junk file (look for this option in the Cleanup section). This will remove most of the redundant files and allow you to recycle a lot of storage space. However, smart scan cleanup will do better because it can also detect potential malware and provide insights on Mac performance. So if you have a few minutes, take the time to do a smart scan.

Step 2: Create a secure backup of your Mac

Many people use Apple's native Time Machine to back up their files, but we do not recommend this. Users report that Time Machine tends to bring macOS issues to new installations. What's more, Time Machine cannot make a bootable backup, which means you will have to go through a long recovery process if a drive crash or any kind of error occurs.

Get Backup Pro is a third-party backup utility that ensures you don't take any risks when you install Big Sur freshly. Not limited to Big Sur. Overall, this is the best alternative to Time Machine we've seen. Get Backup Pro allows you to create backups and bootable clones so you can easily transfer data to a replacement drive in case of problems. In addition, you can get excellent features such as compression, backup planning, and the ability to select specific files for backup.

Here is how to back up your Mac before Big Sur upgrade:

1. Open Get Backup Pro and select Backup in the sidebar
2. Click the plus button to create your backup project
3. Customize the destination location (make sure to save the backup to an external drive)
4. Add file and application data to your backup by clicking the plus button
5. Click the Backup button (which looks like a play button) to start the process.

Step 3: Download the Big Sur installer

Starting November 12, you will be able to access the Big Sur installer in the Apple menu > About Native > Software Updates. Alternatively, you can download the installer from the Mac App Store. It's free and easy.

But be careful, the important thing here is not to rush to achieve success. Your goal is to save the installer to the Applications folder instead of performing the installation process. Therefore, if the installer starts automatically, do not click "Continue". Click "Exit Install" to close the window. You will use the installer later when you install macOS completely.

Step 4: Create a bootable USB installer

Prepare a USB flash drive with at least 16GB of available storage. Connect it to your Mac and start creating a bootable USB installer. First, you need to erase everything on the drive:

1. Access Disk Tools on Mac
2. Select your drive from the internal drive list and click "Erase"
3. Set the format to Mac OS extension
4. Confirm that you want to erase the drive.

Next, open the terminal and enter the following command:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled

Remember that "Untitled" is the name of the drive you have connected to. If you name it a different name, make sure to replace that name in the terminal command.

Press Return and Y. You may need to enter your administrator password to confirm your actions. When finished, click "Done" and close the terminal. That's it. You have just created a bootable USB installer based on the Big Sur installer you downloaded previously.

Step 5: Erase your boot drive

It's time to say goodbye to your old macOS. Boldly erase your boot drive – you have securely backed up the most important files. Here are three steps:

1. Turn off the Mac and hold Command R to enter recovery mode
2. Access Disk Utility and select your primary boot drive
3. Click "Erase" in the menu and confirm your action.

Step 6: New installation of macOS 11 Big Sur

Finally, here is how to install macOS completely using your USB installer drive:

1. Restart the computer and hold down the Option key
2. Return to the initial screen of Disk Utility
3. Select to install macOS from the connected USB drive
4. Click "Install macOS" to confirm your operation. Exhale. Then go and celebrate!

How to reinstall macOS Big Sur

If the installation fails and you can't celebrate, you can try reinstalling Big Sur. You just need to restart your Mac and boot in recovery mode (Command R), and then click "Reinstall macOS". Hope this time will be successful.

How to run a regular macOS update

If you don't want to completely new Big Sur install for the time being, you can place the new update on the top of your current drive, which will keep all settings. If your Mac is running OS X Mavericks or later, you can update directly to Big Sur. Note that Apple recommends that you have approximately 35.5GB of free storage and 4GB of memory on your macOS before upgrading. This is easy to achieve by deleting unnecessary files using CleanMyMac X.

Also, even if you run general updates, make sure to back up all your data using the Get Backup Pro application. Some people may think this is unnecessary precautions. We call it a one-click process, which will keep your files safe in any situation.

Here is how to run a standard macOS Big Sur installation:

1. Click the Apple icon in the menu bar > About this machine
2. In the Overview section, click Software Update
3. Click "Update Now" to download and install the program
4. Follow the on-screen installation instructions.

new security toolkit for macOS

Setapp provides CleanMyMac X, Get Backup Pro, and over 200 other top-level applications that will be powered during your Mac upgrade to Big Sur. So if you have a Setapp membership, you don't need to worry, you're safe. More importantly, Setapp offers Disk Drill, a popular data recovery tool – just in case something impossible happens and you lose data when you switch to a new macOS. The entire set of apps in Setapp is available for free for 7 days, then $9.99 per month. Try it!

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