The Right Way to Clean Install macOS: Do You Really Know How?

Every time a new macOS is released, I'm filled with both excitement and a hint of anxiety. "Will it work okay?" is a question many of us, especially long-time Mac users, ask ourselves.

It’s natural to want to use a method you can trust, given past experiences with software issues.

macOS Tahoe 26 was just released, and it’s running perfectly on my Mac Studio. Mail, Music, Time Machine, Passwords—all the features I use daily are working without a hitch.

However, I'm very particular about how I update my macOS. Whenever a new version comes out, I buy a new microSDHC card to use as my bootable installer disk. Starting with macOS Sequoia, I've been using a 32GB card. Friends tease me, calling it a "macOS boot disk collection," but there’s a good reason for this.

Having experienced many problems with Macs in the past, I've found this to be the cheapest and most reliable way to easily downgrade macOS if needed. As long as I don’t make a mistake, this clean installation process has never caused me any problems.

A Common Misconception About Clean Installs

Many people think a clean install just means erasing "Macintosh HD." That’s a big mistake. The correct way is to erase the entire storage device (SSD/HDD) that contains "Macintosh HD." The correct procedure is to first erase the entire storage in Recovery Mode, then install macOS using the boot disk.

The Challenge of Finding Reliable Information

After macOS Tahoe 26 was announced, I searched for how to create a USB bootable installer. I was annoyed to find that most of the top-ranking search results recommend using some kind of third-party app. Why would they suggest such a roundabout method instead of the official one?

Finding truly reliable information is a chore. Besides checking official sources, it's crucial to look at reputable Mac user forums and message boards. You have to check multiple sources and, in the end, trust your own judgment. Unfortunately, many of the top Japanese search results are from affiliate marketing sites, making it incredibly difficult to find genuine information. I've pretty much stopped searching in Japanese.

Apple, We Expect Something More

Finally, regarding the iPhone Air: how can they call it "Air" when the camera lenses stick out so far? It's a joke. It looks like many other phones, and I don't see the point of having a foldable or a clamshell phone. It has zero appeal and is just another expensive smartphone.

I'm not looking for an iPhone or an iPad. I'm hoping for a product like the original Macintosh—something truly innovative that makes us excited again.

Am I the only one who feels this way?