ARCHIVED: How do I install OS X 10.7 (Lion)?

This content has been archived, and is no longer maintained by Indiana University.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.

On this page:

Upgrading to OS X 10.7 (Lion)

OS X 10.7 (Lion) is no longer available for purchase from the Mac App Store. If you have an earlier version of Mac OS X and your computer meets the system requirements for OS X 10.10 (Yosemite), you can upgrade directly to that version instead; see ARCHIVED: How do I install or upgrade OS X 10.10 (Yosemite)?

If your computer does not support Yosemite or you would rather have Lion, you may still be able to purchase it directly from Apple (1-800-MY-APPLE).

Reinstalling Lion

Note:
To reinstall or recover Lion, you must have an active Internet connection. If you are on campus at Indiana University, UITS recommends the wired Ethernet network instead of wireless. However, if IU Secure is your only option, see Connect to an IU wireless network in macOS if booted from your Recovery HD

Reinstalling 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.

Reinstalling while erasing everything on your computer

  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 Disk Utility, and then Continue.
  4. In Disk Utility, from the left column, click your hard disk. Select the Erase tab.
  5. Next to "Format:", make sure Mac OS Extended (Journaled) is selected. Next to "Name:", give your disk a name.
  6. If you would like to securely erase your data, click Security Options..., adjust the slider accordingly, and click OK. When you're ready, click Erase..., and then Erase again to erase your disk. When the process completes, quit Disk Utility.
  7. Click Reinstall Mac OS X, and then click Continue. Follow the instructions and then choose your hard disk. Click Install and enter your Apple ID information if prompted. Once the installation is complete, you will be asked to enter basic information and have the option to transfer data from another computer or a backup.
  8. From the Apple menu, select Software Update... and install any available updates.

This is document bbcg in the Knowledge Base.
Last modified on 2021-09-07 17:07:35.