Is there a way to replace the MacOS that came with the device

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Level 1

4 points

Is there a way to replace the MacOS that came with the device

My question is if it is possible to replace the "default" MacOS that came with the device after wiping the full disk (reboot right after, etc.) , because every time i wipe a device came with for example Monterey, it will offer Monterey, not the currently installed one.

However if I just go to recovery and say reinstall, then it will offer the current OS like Tahoe in this example, but that sometimes does not remove files that caused the problem made us reinstall the OS to begin with.

I'm not sure how to ask the question correctly, I hope it's obvious though what I'm asking. It feels like the factory OS that was installed on it when it was made is somehow burned in and not to replace. Am I right?

Also after a simple reissue or giving users a loaner device needs a wipe. Installing factory OS then upgrading to the latest is a waste of time.

I understand, the workaround is to have an as of today 26.1 on a fast USB stick but it'd be nice to just have it sitting on the device conveniently.

iPad Air (M3, 2025)

Posted on Nov 4, 2025 1:47 AM

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Answer 1

dialabrain

Level 10

135,893 points

Nov 4, 2025 2:04 AM in response to gabeczi

gabeczi wrote:

However if I just go to recovery and say reinstall, then it will offer the current OS like Tahoe in this example, but that sometimes does not remove files that caused the problem made us reinstall the OS to begin with.

If you want to do a Clean Install, get a fresh install, you have to boot into Recovery, erase the drive with Disk Utility, then install.

I'm not sure how to ask the question correctly…

So it seems.

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Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

135,893 points

Nov 4, 2025 2:09 AM in response to gabeczi

gabeczi wrote:

My question is: can i get the latest available OS installed right away instead of the one that the device came with after wiping the device? Is there any way to replace the factory default Monterey after a full wipe with Tahoe?

We seem to be crossing posts.

Which macOS does Recovery install?

On a Mac with Apple silicon:

Recovery installs the current version of the most recently installed macOS.
If you installed a macOS upgrade and then used Disk Utility to erase the disk, you might get the macOS that you were using before upgrading.

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Answer 3

dialabrain

Level 10

135,893 points

Nov 4, 2025 2:19 AM in response to gabeczi

FWIW, I wasn't thinking about it but you may be able to erase the drive in Recovery, then run this command in the Terminal while still in Recovery…

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 26.1

As an example. I've never tried it.

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Answer 4

gabeczi Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 4, 2025 2:46 AM in response to dialabrain

Yeah, that command is not available in recovery.

What I found now, is that there is an "Install MacOS Monterey.app" in / after full wipe.

When trying to copy "Install MacOS Tahoe.app" from USB to / I get "Read only file system" which makes sense.

I am now trying to remount rw but I feel like I'm going to uncharted territories and it seems to be too much work/risk for our helpdesk guys to go through instead just using an external drive with latest OS on it.

In Disk Utility in Recovery Mode, there is a section called Disk Images, "macOS Base System" it is an APFS System Volume - APFS, under that it says "macOS 12.3.1 (21E258)" which is what OS the device came with.

I'm sure there's a reason it is hard coded like that, if nothing else, it makes it close to impossible to completely trash a laptop to where it's only good for paperweight.

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Answer 5

dialabrain

Level 10

135,893 points

Nov 4, 2025 2:53 AM in response to gabeczi

For what it's worth, you use the Erase All Content and Settings feature to quickly and securely erase all settings, data, and apps, while maintaining the operating system currently installed.

See: Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings - Apple Support

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Answer 6

dialabrain

Level 10

135,893 points

Nov 4, 2025 2:27 AM in response to gabeczi

Just to add, with Intel Macs it is possible to choose which version of macOS to install; the original, the latest, or the current version installed. It's not the case with Apple Silicon Macs.

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Answer 7

gabeczi Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 4, 2025 1:56 AM in response to dialabrain

I'm not sure where the quote (or any part of my post) is saying earlier. Nothing earlier is mentioned. I did not use the word earlier, neither its synonyms.

So. Really. Please read again, I'm sure there's just a slight misunderstanding there.

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Answer 8

gabeczi Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 4, 2025 2:01 AM in response to dialabrain

I will try to be more clear:

M1. Came with Monterey.

I upgrade it to Tahoe.

For whatever reason I need to reinstall the MacOS

I go to recover, and say reinstall MacOS, I get to reinstall Tahoe.

BUT

If I go to disk utility, and wipe the whole disk, and reboot, and go back to recovery, I get Monterey offered, not Tahoe.

My question is: can i get the latest available OS installed right away instead of the one that the device came with after wiping the device? Is there any way to replace the factory default Monterey after a full wipe with Tahoe?

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Answer 9

gabeczi Author

Level 1

4 points

Nov 4, 2025 2:12 AM in response to dialabrain

Yeah the 2nd point is the 'problem' but then I guess we need to stick with the USB Stick workaround. No problem at all, an alright speed USB drive is virtually free. Especially when time is money and that method saves... well. Time.

Thanks for the info

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