2. November 2022

How do you make a bootable USB macOS installer

admin macOS

Create an macOS installer using createinstallmedia. Then run Monterey, the most recent beta or any macOS across multiple Macs or perform an uninstall.

In this article , we’ll go through the steps required to build a bootable installer that runs macOS. Mac operating system. This is no matter if it’s to enable the most current version of macOS for multiple machines, download the most current macOS beta or do an clean installation of macOS or to have an emergency disk should your Mac is experiencing issues and you’re unable to be connected via the web or in Recovery mode (or you cannot connect to recovery mode).

If you’re interested in finding out how you can create an bootable installation of the most recent macOS beta versions, macOS Ventura, macOS Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, or older versions that is Mac OS X or macOS You’ve come to the right spot.

You could also make use of your bootable installer in order to run macOS onto a distinct drive on your drive (or in the partition in case you’re operating an older version of Mac OS). Mac OS). It’s also a simple method to switch back to an earlier version of macOS and is a good alternative if installing the installer was a long duration and you don’t feel like having to spend the next few days downloading it repeatedly on different Macs. It’s enough once!

Luckily, the process of creating an install that can boot Mac operating system was made much easier after Apple released OS X Mavericks back in 2013. With the release of Mac OS X, and all subsequent versions it’s been feasible to use this Terminal commands to create install media to create a bootable installer for the macOS In this article, we’ll demonstrate how to do it.

We will go through the steps below to make an USB that can boot. USB that is compatible with Mac:

1. Download your copy of the macOS installation files
2. Create an installer that is bootable for macOS
3. Select the appropriate createinstallmedia command

If you’d like to run macOS on an external drive and it differs slightly in nature, you can read our separate article.

What do you require to create an USB that can boot? USB for Mac

There are two primary elements you’ll need in order to make your bootable drive for installation that is the USB stick (or an Thunderbolt drive) and the installation files. When you’ve got those two items, the process won’t take long at all.

1. The Flash drive is 15GB (at minimum!)

We suggest 15GB (or more) drive. In reality, greater capacity is recommended as the installation for Monterey was 12GB, while the Big Sur installer had 13GB.

We recommend using a Flash memory stick instead of a conventional hard drive because it’s quicker. Additionally, you’ll gain from USB 3, or USB Type C which could be the only option for if you have a modern Mac (otherwise you’ll need the adapter). If you own the M1 Mac you might actually be better off using an Thunderbolt drive as there are several issues using USB drives on Macs running the M1 Mac. Read our round up of the best SSD drives for Mac where we recommend the LaCie Portable SSD. However, you can use any other USB thumb drive.

Be aware that if you have information on the drive you intend to use, it will be necessary to transfer the data to a different drive or buy a brand new drive because it will be erased completely and formatted.

2. The installation files

Depending on the version of macOS you’re running and the version that you would like to install, you’ll either be able get the files for installation from Software Update in System Preferences or through the Mac App Store, or you’ll have to purchase them from a different source.

There is a Mac App Store. Mac App Store is probably the most convenient option, however there could be some issues with respect to the version of macOS your computer is operating, and if you wanted to download older installation files, that could be a challenge – read an additional article on ways to download old version from macOS.

It is a given that you’ll require an internet connection in order to download the software . You might require it when installing the latest version of macOS when it is required to look for firmware updates or verify that you have iCloud credentials.

How do I get macOS installer files

As we’ve already mentioned that the method you use to obtain installer files be contingent upon the model of macOS you’re currently running and the version you wish to install to install the installer for. In this article, we’ll discuss the steps to obtain Monterey installers, as well as ways to download older versions of macOS or Mac OS X. We also have a separate page on downloading old Mac OS X and macOS versions.

How to download macOS Ventura installer

macOS Ventura will be available for download starting on the 24th of October 2022. Once it’s available, you’ll be able to download it from the Mac App Store. It is also possible to install the application using Software Update if you haven’t yet installed it.

Install the files. However, make sure to stop before the actual installation begins. After the installation has begun, these files are deleted of, and you’ll need to get in before!

After the installation files for Ventura have been downloaded, you’ll be able to locate them in the Applications folder using the Finder. It’ll look something like this:

It is necessary to install these installation files to create the bootable installer for the USB drive. The steps to do that are below.

How can I obtain an macOS beta installer

If you’d like to test out the latest beta version, you’ll have to sign up for the beta program. You will then be able install the installation files.

We’ll explain how to download to install and run beta version of macOS beta on this page. We’ve also provided the code to createinstallmedia you’ll need to start installing the most recent beta on USB below. USB below..

How do I find Monterey, Big Sur or older installers

To download the installers on macOS Monterey or Big Sur Follow these steps:

(If you’re looking for macOS Monterey you want you will get it from Mac App Store here. Mac App Store here.)

1. If you’re already running Monterey or Big Sur on your Mac you can find them on the following hyperlinks. Monterey or Big Sur go straight to the page in the Mac App Store.
2. Click Get, then the install files will begin to download.

If it’s Catalina you’re looking for, you can also obtain the installation software from Mac App Store: Mac App Store:

1. Open the Mac App Store.
2. Visit the Catalina page. There, you will be able to follow on this hyperlink on Catalina in the Mac App Store.
3. When you click Get Now, your Mac will prompt you the installers to download.

Do not click install because you will require the installation files for the next part in this guide…

If you have macOS Catalina, Mojave or High Sierra installed it’s a bit difficult to obtain the installer files for earlier version of macOS. This is due to the fact that when High Sierra launched Apple stopped offering older version of its OS available for download from The Mac App Store.

It is possible to get it done, and we’ll describe how to download older version of macOS on this page. If it’s already open, make sure you shut down your Mac App Store prior to clicking one of these links, otherwise they won’t function.

• You can download macOS Mojave via this link.
• High Sierra here. High Sierra here.

Apple offers dmg files for the older macOS versions. You must download them using Safari. A disk image titled InstallOS.dmg will be downloaded, and once it is done, you must locate the pkg installer in the image on disk.

• Sierra has arrived present.
• El Capitan can be downloaded by clicking here.
• Yosemite can be found on this page.

How do you create a bootable installation for macOS

Once you have installed the files, it is time to begin the process of creating an executable installation.

Be aware that the method described here won’t work on OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard or earlier. It needs OS X 10.7 Lion or later. Additionally, the process has been modified somewhat since Mavericks so if you’re trying to install one of the „Cat“ version for Mac OS X you should go to this article from a few years ago instead.

Since Mavericks making an installation that can boot macOS is a simple command within Terminal. Createinstallmedia makes it possible to build a bootable copy installation software on any drive attached with your Mac. Below, you’ll find all createinstallmedia commands listed below which includes that Monterey createinstallmedia command.

The createinstallmedia command erases all data on your external drive, however you should ensure you don’t have anything you’ll need.

Here are the steps to follow in order to make your bootable USB Be aware that there could be slight adjustments based on the software you need to install:

1. Connect an external drive that is at least 15GB of space, because that’s the amount the installer will need.
2. Start Disk Utility (press Command + spacebar and start typing Disk Utility).
3. Prior to this step, make note of: If you’re operating High Sierra or later you must click on the View dropdown just below the close minimize buttons. Select to display All devices from the available options. You will now be able to see the root drive externally as well as the volume beneath it.
4. Choose the root drive on the left-hand sidebar (the next procedure won’t work if only choose your volume).
5. Click on Erase.
6. Choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the Format.
7. Choose GUID Partition Map as the Scheme.
8. The drive you have installed will likely be named „Untitled“ by default. However, you can give it an appropriate name, such as’macOS or USB‘. (Note you’ll need to substitute the word MyVolume when you run your Create Install Media command below with the name you choose for to your storage device).
9. Click on Erase.
10. You must wait while Disk Utility creates the partition and then sets up the drive (this could take a couple of minutes).
11. Click Done.
12. You are now ready to create your bootable installer Start by opening Terminal (the most efficient method is to hit Command + Spacebar and begin typing Terminal. If not, it’s within the Utilities folder).
13. Copy the text that is relevant to your version of macOS you’re installing into Terminal The information in the following section. Be sure to use the name you’ve chosen for the drive e.g. switch Untitled in MyVolume.
14. Click Enter/Return.
15. Terminal will request the password. This is your password for user. Be aware that you won’t see any characters appear while typing it in, but that’s okay. After entering your password, click Enter.
16. Terminal might also request authorization to use the drive that is removable. Click OK.
17. Terminal will notify you that it’s about to wipe the hard drive (so be sure that there’s not anything of importance on the drive – it should not be any if you’ve previously formatted it in accordance with the directions above). If you’d like to continue you can press Y, then return. The process could take some time, and you’ll be able to see „Erasing Disk 10 20 30100“ %… 10. %… 20 %… 30 %…100 %…
18. Then Terminal will take just a few minutes copying the installer files to your drive. „Copying installer files to disk… Copy complete“ and similar messages will show within Terminal’s Terminal window.
19. Once Terminal is done copying the installer, you will notice the words Copy completed and Done appear.