How To Mac

How to Clean Install macOS Ventura

Written by John

You can install macOS 13 Ventura in two different ways. You can either upgrade from macOS Monterey to macOS Ventura. When you upgrade from macOS Monterey to Ventura, you don’t lose access to your files and other data. The other way is clean install macOS Ventura. In simple terms, a clean install means you are deleting the previous version of macOS and installing the other versions from scratch.

However, when you clean install, you lose access to all of your documents, photos, apps, and other data. All your drives get formatted, and all the settings return to the default state.

We suggest you take a backup of your current Mac version with the Time Machine. Make sure you are choosing an external drive to take a backup of your current Mac version.

One of the reasons to clean install macOS is that you will get a new feel. You will feel like using a new Mac. Everything will be formatted and become new, from settings to drives. In addition, it will run faster.

Is Your Mac Compatibility?

Your Mac should be compatible with installing macOS Ventura. According to Apple, these are devices compatible with macOS Ventura:

  • iMac – late 2017 and later
  • iMac Pro – all models
  • Mac Pro – 2019 and later
  • MacBook – 2017 and later
  • MacBook Air – 2018 and later
  • MacBook Pro – 2017 and later
  • Mac Mini – 2018 and later
  • Mac Studio - all models

You can check your Mac version by clicking on the About this option in the Apple menu. You will see all the information under the Overview tab.

How To Clean Install macOS 13 Ventura

1. Download the macOS Ventura Final

To download and install macOS Ventura 13.0 Final on your Mac, just open the App Store and find "macOS Ventura". As soon as you click on "Get", macOS will be downloading in Software Update Sections. It could take a while and stable internet connection for 12GB of installer size! The macOS Ventura Final installer should be located in your Applications folder after downloading via the App Store on Mac.

Click here to download macOS 10.13 Ventura Final Version with App Store

macOS Ventura Final in Applications Folder

It may take a while to download the macOS Installer. It depends on your internet speed and file size. The file size would be more than 12GB. Also, ensure that your drive has enough storage to download and install Ventura.

2. Create macOS Ventura USB Installer

You have now downloaded the macOS Ventura. It’s now time to create the macOS Installer to your USB drive. We recommend you choose a good USB flash drive (16GB to 32GB).

You can easily do this by executing a few simple commands in the Terminal. So, open the Terminal app on Spotlight search, and execute the mentioned commands.

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Ventura.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Installer --nointeraction

Here replace ‘Installer’ with your USB drive’s actual name. Then, press the Enter key, and enter your administrator password to proceed further.

Create macOS Ventura USB Installer

3. Reduce Startup Security to use Ventura USB Installer

Enter Recovery Mode

You need to enter the Recovery Mode to change your Mac’s security settings. Follow the mentioned steps to enter Recovery mode

  • For M1 and M2 Mac: If you have an M1 and M2 Mac, you can enter Recovery Mode by pressing the Power button until you see ‘Startup Options’ in front of you.
  • For All Other Compatible Macs: You can easily enter Recovery Mode by holding ‘Command + R’ before the Apple logo appears while restarting the machine.
Change Startup Security Settings to use USB External Disk
  • M1, M2 powered Macs: If you have an M1 and M2 chip-powered Mac, click on the Gear icon and then on the Continue. After that, click on the Utility option in the top menu bar. Then, head to the Startup Security Utility option in the Utility section. Select your main drive in the Startup Security Utility section and then click on the Security Policy button. Then, select Reduced Security. After doing this, reboot your M1 to install macOS with External USB Drive.
  • For Intel Macs with the T2 chip: To change Startup Security Settings in Intel Macs with the T2 chip, head to the same Utility section, then Startup Security Utility section. Now, enter your Mac password until the StartUp Security Utility window appears. Now, select the Medium security option under the Secure Boot section. Then, select Allow Booting from external media option under the Allowed Boot Media section. After that, close the window. After doing this, reboot your Mac to install Ventura
Change Startup Security Utility

4. Boot to macOS Ventura USB Installer

The installation process for macOS is quite different for Mac with Apple Silicone and Intel processor.

For Mac with Apple Silicone (M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max, M2)
1. Connect the macOS USB Installer with your Mac.
2. Now, shut down the computer. Then, press and hold the Power button until you see the Startup Options on your screen.
3. Then, select "Install macOS 13 Beta" and click on the Continue button to Install macOS. 

For Macs with Intel processors (both with and without the T2 chip)
1. Connect the macOS USB Installer drive with your Intel Mac.
2. Shut down the computer. Restart the Mac while holding the Option key.
3. Then, select the Install macOS 13 Beta in boot option.

5. Install macOS 13 Ventura

1. Now, select Disk Utility from the given options.

Open Disk Utility

2. Click the View button, choose Show all devices option

Show All Devices in Disk Utility

3. Choose your internal Hard Disk. Click on the Erase option and choose APFS. Click on "Erase" to format your Hard Disk. We suggest you take the backup of your latest macOS version and Data with Time Machine (external disk) or iCloud.

Format macOS Ventura with APFS partition

4. Close Disk Utility, select “Install macOS 13 Beta” from the boot options.
5. Choose the destination disk to clean install macOS.

Clean Install macOS Ventura

Your Mac may reboot automatically during the process, wait some time for the process to finish.

These are the steps to clean install macOS 13 Ventura on both M1, M2 processor and Intel Mac machines. You can follow any of the above-mentioned methods based on your Mac specifications. Both methods are quite easy to follow but require a bit of attention. We suggest following all the steps carefully to avoid any errors and issues. Yet, if you faced any issue while performing the steps. You can leave a comment down below. We will assist you.

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