2 Answers. Reinstalling macOS from the recovery menu does not erase your data. However, if there is a corruption issue, your data may be corrupted as well, its really hard to tell.
Does upgrading Mac OS wipe hard drive?
Never upgrade to a newer OS X before backing up all your data first. An upgrade doesn’t necessarily mean it will wipe the drive but better to be safe than sorry. … To answer your question, no typically you lose no files upgrading OS X. Some Application may not longer run, and files un-accessible in that way.
What happens when you reinstall Mac OS?
It does exactly what it says it does–reinstalls macOS itself. It only touches operating system files that are there in a default configuration, so any preference files, documents and applications that are either changed or not there in the default installer are simply left alone.
Will downloading macOS Catalina delete everything?
If you install Catalina on a new drive, this is not for you. Otherwise, you’ll have to wipe everything away from the drive before using it.
Will updating my Mac to Catalina delete everything?
The data is not physically deleted from the system until it is overwritten with new data. If you find your files missing after mac update, stop using the device to avoid writing any new data on the hard drive. Then follow the solutions below to recover lost data after the macOS 10.15 update.
Will reinstalling macOS fix problems?
However, reinstalling OS X isn’t a universal balm that fixes all hardware and software errors. If your iMac has contracted a virus, or a system file that was installed by an application “goes rogue” from data corruption, reinstalling OS X likely won’t solve the problem, and you’ll be back to square one.
How do I wipe my Mac hard drive and reinstall OS?
Select your startup disk on the left, then click Erase. Click the Format pop-up menu (APFS should be selected), enter a name, then click Erase. After the disk is erased, choose Disk Utility > Quit Disk Utility. In the Recovery app window, select “Reinstall macOS,” click Continue, then follow the onscreen instructions.
Is it safe to reinstall macOS?
Before we get into the motives for doing so, we should be clear that yes, there are some good reasons to reinstall macOS. However, this doesn’t mean that reinstalling it regularly is necessary. macOS is a stable operating system that takes pretty good care of itself.
Is my Mac too old to update?
Apple said that would run happily on a late 2009 or later MacBook or iMac, or a 2010 or later MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini or Mac Pro. If you Mac is supported read: How to update to Big Sur. This means that if your Mac is older than 2012 it won’t officially be able to run Catalina or Mojave.
Is Catalina compatible with Mac?
These Mac models are compatible with macOS Catalina: MacBook (Early 2015 or newer) … MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer) Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
Why cant I update my Mac to Catalina?
If you’re still having problems downloading macOS Catalina, try to find the partially-downloaded macOS 10.15 files and a file named ‘Install macOS 10.15’ on your hard drive. Delete them, then reboot your Mac and try to download macOS Catalina again.
Does updating Mac slow it down?
No. It does not. Sometimes there is a slight slowdown as new features are added but Apple then fine tunes the operating system and the speed comes back. There is one exception to that rule of thumb.
Can you update Mac without backing up?
Being cautious about upgrading your reliable Mac workhorse to a brand new operating system is prudent, but there is no reason to fear an upgrade. You can install macOS on an external hard disk drive or other suitable storage device without altering your existing Mac in any way at all.
Do I need to backup my Mac before updating to Catalina?
You need a backup plan, and it’s prudent to implement one before a major update like macOS Catalina. Here’s how and when to choose between Apple’s Time Machine and third-party options including online backup services.