You might get a Mac that you have little information about; for example, when you get employed in a certain organization, you might be given a Mac. The Mac might have the wrong configuration, such as an outdated macOS. Because you did not set up that mac, you do not have the Apple ID, and you might be wondering if you can install macOS without an Apple ID.
So, can you install macOS without an Apple ID? You can install macOS without an Apple ID because it is not a necessary step in the installation process. You might be prompted to enter an Apple ID, but you can skip the step and continue with the installation process.
You can download the macOS installer from the App Store or the Apple Support website. However, after installing the macOS without an Apple ID, you should create one because it will be necessary for accessing certain features.
Every Mac requires an operating system to function; hence, Apple Inc. always releases any Mac with a macOS. When you buy a Mac, it usually comes with a macOS already installed, but you can also install it on your Mac.
When you buy a Mac, it usually comes with a macOS installed either by Apple Inc. or by the previous user. You can use that Mac with the macOS it came with or install the one you would like to use. Before installing macOS on your Mac, you might wonder if you can do so without an Apple ID.
You can install macOS without an Apple ID because providing an Apple ID during installation is not necessary. The process can continue to completion without you providing any Apple ID. You will be prompted to enter your Apple ID when installing a macOS on your Mac.
If you do not have an Apple ID, you can cancel it and continue with the installation process. After installing a macOS, you need to create an Apple ID to access some of the features that require one, such as iCloud.
Installing macOS
To install a macOS on your Apple ID, first, you need to check if the macOS you want to use is compatible with your Mac. You can only install a macOS that came preinstalled in the Mac or later. You can download the macOS installer from the App Store or the links provided by Apple Inc. on the Apple Support website.
Copy the macOS installer to the applications folder and double-click on it to begin the installation process. Before you install macOS on your Mac, make a backup if you have been using your Mac. You should also ensure you have enough free space to install the macOS.
You do not need an Apple ID during the installation process, but you will require it when using certain features on your Mac, such as iCloud, the App Store, Apple Music, and iTunes Store, among others.
You have to create an Apple ID or use an existing one to use any of these Apple services. You can create an Apple ID using your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or any other device with internet access. You must provide your full name, date of birth, a valid email address, and phone number.
If you do not want to create an Apple ID, you can use one from a close relative or friend to access Apple services such as iCloud. However, you need their express permission to use their Apple ID on your device.
Apple ID macOS updates
You also do not need an Apple ID for macOS software updates. When you install a macOS, and it has several updates, you can proceed to update them without the Apple ID. You only need an Apple ID to install or update third-party apps.
To update macOS, back up your Mac to avoid data loss. Go to the Apple menu and
- open “System Preferences”, on “System Preferences”
- click on “Software Update”
- click “Update Now”
You might also see “Upgrade Now” if a new version of macOS is available. You should avoid clicking on “Upgrade Now” if you want to continue using the recently installed macOS.
When installing macOS and you run into some issues, and the installation process keeps failing, you should first install in safe mode. You should also check your internet connections and ensure it is working.
The macOS installer requires a working internet connection to get firmware and data for your Mac. You should also check your disk for any damage and repair it before installing macOS. You should also try installing from macOS Recovery. If none of the above solutions work, erase your Mac before trying to install macOS.
Set Up Mac Without Apple ID?
After unboxing your new Mac and turning it on, the next step is to set it up before you can use it. If you have used an iPhone, iPad, or Mac to access certain Apple Services like iTunes, you might be prompted to enter an Apple ID. When you want to set up your Mac and do not have an Apple ID, you might wonder if you can do it without one.
You can set up a Mac without an Apple ID because it is not a requirement in the setup process. You will be prompted to enter your Apple ID during the setup process, but you can skip it. When you cancel signing in with your Apple ID, you will not be able to access certain services such as App Store, Apple TV, iCloud and more.
You can sign in later on each application that prompts you to enter an Apple ID. If you do not have an Apple ID, you can create one during the set process, or you can do it later.
When you turn on your Mac for the first time, the Setup Assistant will guide you through the steps you need to take before you can start using your Mac. You can respond to all the steps shown by the Setup Assistant or skip some of them.
The steps you have skipped need to be completed later to ensure you access all features on your Mac. One of the steps you can skip is signing in using your Apple ID. If you do not have an Apple ID and you do not want to create one, you can skip that part and continue with the setup process.
Setup Assistant
The Setup Assistant will prompt you to set your country or region, which will determine your Mac’s language and time. The next step is Accessibility options, and you can adjust the options depending on your disability.
If you do not have any disability, you can skip this step. You also need to connect to a working Wi-Fi network; you should not skip this step because an internet connection is important during the setup.
After setting up a Wi-Fi network, you can transfer data from your old Mac if you were using one. The next steps are not that important, and you can choose which ones to skip and ones to complete. The remaining steps include signing in with your Apple ID, storing files in iCloud, enabling Siri, setting up Touch ID, setting up Apple Pay, and choosing your look.
If you want to access any Apple service that requires you to sign in using your Apple ID, you can create one using any device with a browser and access the internet. If you have an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, go to the App Store and sign-in.
Continue to “Create New Apple ID” and follow the instructions on the screen. Enter your billing information, email address, and confirm your phone number. Log in to your email address and open the verification email to confirm your Apple ID. After verifying your Apple ID, you can use it to sign in on apps that require an Apple ID, such as iTunes Store.
To create an Apple ID using your Mac, open “Apple Menu” and select “System Preferences”. Click on “Sign In” on the top right of your screen. Since you do not have an Apple ID, click on “Create Apple ID” and follow the instructions on your screen.
You must provide an email address, billing information, and phone number. You should note that the email address you provided will be your Apple ID; hence you need to use an email address you have access to.
Bypass Apple ID setup on Mac
An Apple ID is an account synonymous with Apple users; hence, not everyone has one. When you buy an Apple device for the first time, you will have to create an Apple ID that you can use to access certain Apple services. When you are setting up your Mac and do not have an Apple ID and you are prompted to provide an Apple ID, you might wonder how you can bypass it.
You only need to cancel the prompt to bypass the Apple ID sign-in during the setup on a Mac. An Apple ID is not necessary to complete; therefore, if you do not have an Apple ID or do not wish to provide one, you can skip the step during the setup.
When you cancel the prompt to sign in using your Apple ID, there are certain Apple services that you will not access after completing the setup process. Your Mac will also update certain macOS software after canceling the Apple ID sign-in prompt.
When setting up your Mac, the Setup Assistant will guide you through the steps, and one of them is signing in with your Apple ID. In this step, you are required to provide an Apple ID, which comprises an email address and a password.
When you enter your Apple ID, you will be taken to the next step, storing files in iCloud. If you opted to cancel the Apple ID sign-in prompt, you would also have to skip the storing files in the iCloud step.
iCloud is one of the Apple services that require an Apple ID. If you want to store any of your files on iCloud during the setup process, you will have to create an Apple ID and sign in before continuing with the setup process.
Opting to bypass Apple ID sign-in
If you opt to bypass the Apple ID sign-in during the initial setup of your Mac, you can sign in later when you want to access Apple services that require an Apple ID. Some of the services that require an Apple ID include the App Store, iTunes Store, Facetime, Apple TV, and Apple Music, among many others.
To sign in on your Mac, open Apple Menu and go to System Preferences. Click on Sign In and enter your Apple ID and password. Your Apple ID is the email address you selected when you created it. You might be prompted to enter a six-digit verification code that is sent to one of your trusted devices. Enter that code to complete the sign-in.
Before you set up your new Mac, you must take a few steps to ensure the setup process goes smoothly. First, plug in your Mac or ensure it has enough battery charge. You should also ensure you have a working internet connection.
If you are using someone else’s Wi-Fi network, have the network password ready. Connect other accessories that might be necessary for the initial setup, such as a mouse, keyboard, or monitor.
During the setup process, if you do not understand any step and you need any clarification, ask someone who has done that process before or contact Apple Customer support.
Summary
An operating system is the most important software on your computer; without it, you cannot use it. When you buy a new Mac, it usually has the latest macOS installed by Apple. If you buy or get a used Mac from another person, it might have an older macOS.
You can install a different macOS on your Mac and do not need an Apple ID. When installing a macOS on your Mac, you will be prompted to sign in using your Apple ID, but you can skip it if you do not have an Apple ID or do not want to provide one.
You can skip the Apple ID sign-in prompt when setting up your Mac. However, when you skip signing in using your Apple ID, you will not use certain services such as iCloud, Apple Music, Apple TV, or FaceTime, among others.
