Start up from macOS Recovery

Jan 18, 2018 'OS X can’t be installed on “Macintosh HD” because the version of macOS is too new.' So just to confirm, I cant reinstall a Yosemite system and acquire el capitan installer through the appstore and then create a usb bootable with el capitan? Apr 11, 2020 I'm trying to reinstall Mac OS X El Capitan on my 2009 MacBook pro. Disk Utility lists a single SSD with a capacity of 250.06GB and a single partition (OS X Base system) that is taking up 249.85GB. When I try to create another partition it says that I need to enable journaling, but the option is greyed out. When I choose the Mac OS HDD it gets to the install portion where it asks for an apple ID. I enter it and then it says 'this item is temporarily unavailable' with an App store logo next it. I have created a USB with El Capitan on it and an SD card with EL Capitan on it.

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.

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.

El Capitan Reinstall

Other macOS installation options

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

Os X El Capitan Cannot Be Installed On Macintosh Hd

• 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.

How To Install El Capitan

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

Os X El Capitan Cannot Be Installed On Macintosh Hd Hard Drive

• 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.