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What will happen if I factory reset an iMac when it's stuck at installation?

I tried to reinstall macOS Big Sur from Recovery Mode but it would always stall at a point. I've done it twice before and left the installation alone for 8 hours but the result was the same. This time, I've left it for 3 days, however, the installation still won't be complete. I wonder if I can cancel the installation and factory reset my Mac?

Best Answered by

Jenny Zeng

Answered on Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Stopping the macOS installation may cause file corruption. But since a factory reset will erase all data on your Mac and reinstall a new operating system, the corruption part isn't really a concern. Just make sure you back up your Mac before taking any action.

It's advisable to reinstall macOS from Internet Recovery Mode before erasing your Mac. To do it, ensure you have a stable internet connection and follow the steps below:

  1. Press Command + Q to exit the installation window and then shut down your Mac. Or simply hold down the power button to force shut down your Mac.
  2. Hit the power button, then immediately press and hold Option + Command + R until the spinning globe shows up.
  3. Select "Reinstall macOS" and click Continue.
  4. Follow the onscreen instructions to install macOS.

If the installation still hangs for a long time, you can erase your startup disk and retry the installation again.