Select the disk where you want to install macOS?

Question

I am trying to revive my mid-2015 MacBook Pro.

I installed a new SSD, but when I go through the process of Reinstall macOS, I do not get the new SSD as a choice, it seems like I would have to install a 16GB USB flash drive and store it there.

It also does not seem to recognize the old SSD inside the enclosure that is connected to the MacBook.

I would like to follow the guide below

Can Recovery Mode install OS X onto a blank SSD? but how would I do this if all I can do is install the macOS Sierra on a flash drive?

I tried going into the terminal and running diskutil list, but my SSD is not found among the long list. It is a 480GB SSD and nothing in that list even comes close.

I installed macOS Sierra on a 16GB USB flash drive, but when I follow this guide: https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/install-mac-os-x-using-removable-usb-drive/

But when I click Option + Power it does go into installer, but then when I go to install from the USB flash drive, it tells me I do not have enough space. I don't get it, I already have macOS Sierra on that flash drive, what is it trying to do?

Answer 1

The specs sheet on the manufacturer's site for the Aura Pro X2 list macOS 10.13 High Sierra as the minimum compatible version.

The manufacturer recommends upgrading to macOS 10.13 High Sierra prior to installation. If that isn't possible I'd try using a USB installer for macOS 10.13 or higher as outlined here.

Answer 2

You are going to need to format your newly installed ssd before the macos installer recognizes it as a viable medium to install your os on. If you cant format it in disk utility, try going to internet recovery and selecting the terminal. once in the terminal type

diskutil list

Then find the your newly installed disk drive labeled in the format of /dev/diskXwhere "X" is whatever disk number your new ssd is. This will most likely be /dev/disk0 or /dev/disk1.

Once you have identified your disk number in the terminal, you can erase and format your new sdd by running the command

diskutil eraseDisk apfs MacHD GPT /dev/diskX

Dont forget to substitute the "X" in "/dev/diskX" with your real disk number.

For example, if your new ssd shows up in the terminal as /dev/disk0, the command to properly format it would be:

diskutil eraseDisk apfs MacHD GPT /dev/disk0

After that your new ssd should show up as an option in the mac installer application and you should be able to install macOS on it.