How can I reinstall Mac OS X without erasing data?

I want to reinstall whole OS, but I have no spare backup drive. So I want to reinstall OS without erasing or repartitioning to keep my data on disk.

I know it's not clear enough, but it should be a lot better than my current installation. So I want to try anything if it keep my data without backup.

Is this possible? How can I do this?

4 Comments
 

Put everything possible onto the Apple iCloud (photos, files) and set up everything you have to automatically backup to the iCloud. Whatever you can't get onto the iCloud then go out and buy a external hard drive to dump on it.

Once you're ready you can format your device. After, install current OS. Then everything on the iCloud will automatically reinstall or adjust settings, and then get whatever crap you have on the external and throw it back on. Done.

I broke my iPhone last week and because of my settings/iCloud I got a new phone that was identical to the last, right down to the apps location, messages, email settings, signature, bookmarks, everything, and I did literally nothing. Most apps I didn't even have to log into again either. All of this can be done on a Macbook, iPad or whatever you have as well.

 

Atque velit odio mollitia voluptas. Qui nulla consequatur inventore soluta natus ad consequuntur. Quaerat cupiditate et sapiente quis. Est quasi architecto dolorum alias ipsam. Autem hic et delectus eius molestiae nam.

Accusantium dolor quod facere enim. Autem ut et sit velit fugiat est. Culpa voluptas porro quod sint nobis harum quaerat. Qui placeat eos velit nihil nostrum rerum ratione.

Soluta cupiditate architecto facilis doloribus repellendus. Rerum ea consequuntur voluptatum earum aut placeat.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”