[SOLVED] Mac OS X Sierra Clean Install

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theclip2000

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Nov 1, 2016
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I'm installing OS X Sierra to a brand new SSD for my 2012 MacBook Pro. Since the SSD is brand new, I need to first format it using a Mac or PC. My question is: if I choose to format the drive by plugging into my friend's MacBook via external hard drive enclosure, why wouldn't I just install Sierra then as well? Is there really a need to first format, create a bootable USB and then boot from the flash drive after installing the SSD into my MacBook?
 
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My recommendation is to use Carbon Copy Cloner. It has a 30-day free trial. I used it to put an SSD into my MBP 2011. Basically, I connected my SSD via a SATA to USB cable. Carbon Copy Cloner can make a exact bootable clone of the internal drive.

You can hold Option on bootup to then select the cloned drive. Test that it boots. If it boots, just swap it in.
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McHenryB

McHenryB

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Jan 31, 2015
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You don't need to format the disk. The Sierra installation program will take care of partitioning and formatting for you.

Whatever you do, don't try to format the disk on a PC.

Actually, the easiest way would be to put the current disk into a USB enclosure and attach that to the Mac. Boot from that external disk then use SuperDuper, or something similar, to clone the disk. You could even clone it just using Disk Utility.

Again, it bears repeating - don't try to do any of this in a PC.
 
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theclip2000

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Nov 1, 2016
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The problem I'm facing right now, is that my SSD does not show up in disk utility when booting. Many online forums suggest simply formatting the drive using another MacBook to address this problem. But if I have to do this, can't I just start the OS X Sierra installer and select the SSD as the install point and then put the SSD into my Mac?
 
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McHenryB

McHenryB

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The SSD should show up in disk utility, formatted or not if correctly installed. But, yes, you can format the disk (and even install the OS) on another Mac and then put the disk in your Macbook

Just don't try to do any of it on a PC.
 
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grimakis

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Sep 29, 2015
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My recommendation is to use Carbon Copy Cloner. It has a 30-day free trial. I used it to put an SSD into my MBP 2011. Basically, I connected my SSD via a SATA to USB cable. Carbon Copy Cloner can make a exact bootable clone of the internal drive.

You can hold Option on bootup to then select the cloned drive. Test that it boots. If it boots, just swap it in.
 
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