Install El Capitan Without Apple Id

This content has been archived, and is no longer maintained by Indiana University. Information here may no longer be accurate, and links may no longer be available or reliable.

Download El Capitan and install fresh the Mac OS without upgrading the current Mac OS version The second method of installation is the clean install method. It basically erases the entire content of your chosen drive and installs a fresh, smooth version of the new operating system which is downloaded El Capitan Mac OS X in this case. Jul 25, 2021 Go to the App Store and open the El Capitan page there. Then you must click on the ‘Download; button on the El Capitan Page. If your Mac PC is compatible to perform this upgrade, a file named ‘Install OS X El Capitan’ will download to your Applications folder. The installer will open automatically after finishing the download process. When finished, OS X El Capitan will boot into a brand new clean install, running through the initial OS X setup process on the Mac as if the Mac was brand new. No files, no data, nothing will be on the Mac except for what comes with OS X El Capitan, that is what a clean install is for.

On this page:

  • Reinstall El Capitan on a computer alreadyrunning it

Upgrade from previous versions to OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)

  1. From the Apple menu, select App Store....
  2. When the App Store opens, search for and download El Capitan. If you don't already have an Apple ID, you'll need to create one. You can monitor the download process in the 'Purchased' section of the App Store.
  3. Once the download is complete, the installer should automatically open.

    If it doesn't, or you don't want to complete the installation at this time, you can come back later and double-click Install OS X El Capitan in your Applications folder.

    Within the installer, click Continue, agree to the license agreement, and then choose the disk where you want to install El Capitan.

    After you begin the installation, your computer may need to restart more than once before finishing, and then you may be asked to enter basic information.

  4. From the Apple menu, select App Store..., and then install any available updates.

Reinstall El Capitan on a computer already running it

To reinstall or recover El Capitan, you must have an active internet connection. If you are on campus at IU, UITS recommends the wired Ethernet network instead of wireless. However, if IUSecure is your only option, see Connect to an IU wireless network in macOS if booted from your Recovery HD.
Mac os el capitan install

Reinstall while keeping files, applications, and settings

  1. Restart your computer, and immediately hold down command-r until the gray Apple logo appears.
  2. If prompted, select your main language and then click the arrow.
  3. Click Reinstall OS X, and then Continue. Follow the instructions on the screen, and then choose your hard disk. Click Install, and enter your Apple ID information if prompted.
  4. When the installation is complete, select App Store... from the Apple menu, and install any available updates.

Reinstall while erasing everything on your computer

Apple El Capitan Download

Capitan

Can I Install El Capitan Without Apple Id

  1. Restart your computer, and immediately hold down command-r until the gray Apple logo appears.

  2. If you see a screen asking you to select your main language, choose it, and then click the arrow.
  3. Click Disk Utility, and then Continue.
  4. In Disk Utility:
    1. Click your hard disk in the left column, and then click the Erase tab.
    2. Next to 'Format:', make sure OS X Extended (Journaled) is selected. In the 'Name:' field, give your disk a name. Click Erase.
    3. Once it's completed, quit Disk Utility.
  5. Click Reinstall OS X, and then Continue:
    1. Follow the instructions on the screen, and then choose your hard disk.
    2. Click Install. If prompted, enter your Apple ID information.
    3. Once the installation is complete, you'll be asked to enter basic information, and have the option to transfer data from another computer or backup.
  6. From the Apple menu, select App Store, and then install any available updates.