El Capitan clean install on new SSD Hi I searched clean install and found some useful information, but the threads are archived and I had a few more questions. I purchased an OWC Data Doubler for my Late 2011 15' MacBookPro and I would like to do a clean install of El Capitan onto the new SSD drive when it comes out at the end of the month. Trying to install OS X el Capitan on a New SSD OWC 240 gig on a macbook pro 13 inch mid 2011, i also changed the battery for a new one. 1) I changed the date in terminal, to the date the download was made. 2) it started the installation process (which was great!). I downloaded El Capitan from the 'App Store' and then used 'DiskMaker X 5' to make a bootable usb. Restarted my laptop and booted from USB, and onto the El Capitan installation. From there I formatted the new SSD (MacOS Extended (Journaled) with a single GUID partition). Choose to Install OS X on the formatted SSD. Follow the prompts until Yosemite is installed. Here’s link to a video on how to physically install the SSD as well as run the software installation. If you’d rather install El Capitan on the SSD then follow the How to Install El Capitan on a New SSD guide. Tweet Follow @TwitterDev.

Start up from macOS Recovery

Install El Capitan On External Ssd

Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:

Apple silicon

Turn on your Mac and continue to press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window. Click the gear icon labeled Options, then click Continue.

Intel processor

Make sure that your Mac has a connection to the internet. Then turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold Command (⌘)-R until you see an Apple logo or other image.

Install El Capitan App

If you're asked to select a user you know the password for, select the user, click Next, then enter their administrator password.

Reinstall macOS

Select Reinstall macOS from the utilities window in macOS Recovery, then click Continue and follow the onscreen instructions.

Follow these guidelines during installation:

• If the installer asks to unlock your disk, enter the password you use to log in to your Mac.
• If the installer doesn't see your disk, or it says that it can't install on your computer or volume, you might need to erase your disk first.
• If the installer offers you the choice between installing on Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data, choose Macintosh HD.
• Allow installation to complete without putting your Mac to sleep or closing its lid. Your Mac might restart and show a progress bar several times, and the screen might be empty for minutes at a time.

After installation is complete, your Mac might restart to a setup assistant. If you're selling, trading in, or giving away your Mac, press Command-Q to quit the assistant without completing setup. Then click Shut Down. When the new owner starts up the Mac, they can use their own information to complete setup.

Other macOS installation options

When you install macOS from Recovery, you get the current version of the most recently installed macOS, with some exceptions:

• On an Intel-based Mac: If you use Shift-Option-Command-R during startup, you're offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available. If you use Option-Command-R during startup, in most cases you're offered the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. Otherwise you're offered the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
• If the Mac logic board was just replaced, you may be offered only the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac. If you just erased your entire startup disk, you may be offered only the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.

You can also use these methods to install macOS, if the macOS is compatible with your Mac:

Install El Capitan Dmg

• Use the App Store to download and install the latest macOS.
• Use the App Store or a web browser to download and install an earlier macOS.
• Use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume to create a bootable installer.