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Mac Reinstall Operating System Instructions

Always confirm the user has backed up their data before proceeding. Data will be erased during this process.

Mac Reinstall Operating System Instructions

Use these steps to erase and reinstall macOS, re-enroll with Jamf, and complete post-install configuration for Florida Poly devices.

Part 1 — Erase and Reinstall macOS

  1. Shut down the computer.

  2. Press and hold the power button until Startup Options appears (for Intel Macs, start in Recovery Mode as applicable).

  3. Select Options and continue to Recovery.

  4. In Disk Utility, select the top-level volume (e.g., Macintosh HD) and erase the drive.

  5. Quit Disk Utility to return to Startup Options.

  6. Choose Reinstall macOS (original OS for the device, e.g., Ventura, Sonoma, etc.) and complete installation.

Part 2 — Initial Setup and Jamf Enrollment

  1. At the Remote Management screen, click Continue to enroll with Jamf.

  2. If prompted to open System Settings or allow extensions, open and allow.

  3. When prompted to set the time zone, select Tampa or Orlando.

  4. Sign in with your Microsoft account user@floridapoly.edu

  5. Enter the Microsoft password a second time to sync Microsoft with the local account.

  6. Sign out of the Microsoft-linked local account.

Part 3 — Local Admin Configuration and Jamf Policy

  1. Sign in to the ladmin account (ignore Jamf Connect menu prompts; this is a local account and won’t sign in to Jamf Connect).

  2. Open Utilities > Terminal

  3. Run: sudo jamf policy to install required items and enable FileVault.

  4. Approve any pop-ups: when Terminal requests access permissions, click OK on all prompts.

  5. When Windows Defender opens System Settings, proceed to Security & Privacy, click Details, and toggle on Windows Defender options. Click Allow if needed to ensure Defender is active.

  6. After jamf policy completes, close Terminal.

Part 4 — macOS Update and Application Setup

  1. Open System Settings and search for Check for Updates

  2. If an OS upgrade is available, click Upgrade to move to Tahoe or the latest version available for the device.

  3. After the OS upgrade completes, proceed with application installations via Applications → Help Desk (or assigned software sources).

  4. Install Adobe Creative Cloud, sign in, and install Acrobat Pro

  5. Install Microsoft 365 (O365)

  6. Install the new Teams; remove the old Teams app if present in Applications.

  7. Launch Teams, sign in, and check for updates to confirm latest build.

  8. Install browsers: Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox

  9. Install GlobalProtect VPN if it did not auto-install from Jamf.

  10. Install Zoom

  11. Install PhoenixPrint

Post-Install Validation Checklist

  • Jamf shows the device as checked in and compliant/expiration date is 2 years in the future

  • FileVault is enabled and recovery key is escrowed per policy (verify in Jamf).

  • Microsoft Defender is active with all required extensions allowed.

  • OS is upgraded to the latest supported version for the hardware.

  • Core apps installed and licensed (Adobe CC/Acrobat, Microsoft 365, Teams new client, Chrome, Firefox, GlobalProtect, Zoom, PhoenixPrint).

Troubleshooting Tips

Ensure you are holding the power button long enough on Apple Silicon. For Intel Macs, use Command + R for Recovery, or Option for Startup Manager, then select Options.

  • Select the physical disk (e.g., Apple SSD) in the sidebar and erase with APFS, GUID partition map.

  • Use “Erase Volume Group” if available to remove both system and data volumes.

  • Confirm network connectivity (FloridaPoly Wi-Fi or wired).

  • Run sudo jamf recon then sudo jamf policy again.

  • Review /var/log/jamf.log for errors; escalate to Jamf admin if persistent.

  • Verify time zone and system time; incorrect time can break authentication.

  • Try a wired connection or different network if captive portal interferes.

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