Clean install macOS Monterey: A step-by-step guide

macOS Monterey's new installation guide: Say goodbye to the system stuttering and experience smooth speed!

Apple's macOS Monterey system was officially released on October 25, 2021, bringing many exciting new features, including shortcut commands, general controls, FaceTime shared playback, etc. But simply upgrading through "About Native" > "Software Update" is not the best way to do it, it can cause insufficient system space, slow operation, and even failure. Therefore, this article recommends using a USB USB drive for a brand new installation to ensure smooth system operation.

macOS Monterey system requirements

Before starting the installation, please confirm whether your Mac is compatible with Monterey system:

• MacBook Air (early 2015 and later)
• MacBook Pro (early 2015 and later)
• MacBook (early 2016 and later)
• Mac mini (late 2014 and later)
• Mac Pro (late 2013 and beyond)
• iMac (late 2015 and later)
• iMac Pro (2017 and later)

Not sure about your Mac model? Please go to Apple Menu > About This > Overview View.

Steps to install new macOS Monterey

The following steps will guide you through a new installation of macOS Monterey:

Step 1: Clean up system garbage and free up space

Cleaning up system garbage and uninstalling unnecessary applications before upgrading can speed up upgrades and free up a lot of storage space. Cleaning the system is especially important if you use Time Machine backups, as it creates many backup copies. It is recommended to use professional Mac cleaning tools such as CleanMyMac X for system scanning and cleaning.

1. Open CleanMyMac X
2. Click Smart Scan and wait for the app to check your Mac
3. Check out the files recommended by CleanMyMac X, or click "Remove".

Step 2: Backup your data

A fresh installation will reset your Mac to its initial state, be sure to back up your important data. You can use Time Machine or other backup tools. However, Time Machine backups will contain system junk files and take up a lot of space. It is recommended to use tools such as Get Backup Pro to backup only important files and folders.

1. In Get Backup Pro, click Backup on the sidebar
2. Click the plus button to create a new backup project
3. Select a backup save location
4. Click "Start" to start the backup process

Step 3: Download the Monterey Installer

1. Go to Apple Menu > About this machine
2. Click Software Update > Update Now and follow the instructions.

You can also find the Monterey installer in the App Store.

Note: After downloading the installer, do not install it immediately and save it to the application folder.

Step 4: Format your USB drive

Connect a USB drive of at least 16GB capacity to your Mac and turn on Disk Utility. Select the GUID partition map and Mac OS X extension (log-style), change the name to "Installer", and then click "Erase".

Step 5: Create a Monterey USB installation disk

Open the terminal and enter the following command:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

Replace "MyVolume" with the name of the external drive you are using. Please paste the command accurately, the wrong symbol may cause the installation to fail. After pasting the command, press Enter and enter the administrator password. Wait for a few minutes until the terminal completes the process.

Step 6: Completely install from USB

1. Connect a USB drive and restart your Mac
2. Hold down the Option key to restart
3. Select to install macOS from the connected USB drive
4. Follow the instructions to complete a new installation of macOS Monterey.

Once the installation is complete, you can enjoy the new features of Monterey!

How to avoid a new installation every year?

Regularly using tools like CleanMyMac X to clean up system junk, uninstall applications, and install software updates, keeping your Mac system clean and efficient, thus avoiding a new installation every year. Combined with other applications in Setapp, you can better manage your Mac.

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