How to Create macOS Bootable USB

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Creating a bootable macOS USB drive is a useful skill to learn. It is essential when you want to reinstall your macOS or when your Mac is having problems and you need to perform a clean installation. This guide will walk you through every step of the process with simple instructions to help you successfully create a macOS bootable USB. We will cover the tools you need, where to get the macOS installer, and step-by-step instructions for creating a bootable drive.

Requirements

Before we get started, let's list the items you'll need for this process:

• A Mac computer.
• A blank USB flash drive with at least 16GB of storage capacity.
• A stable internet connection.
• Access to the macOS Installer app, available in the Mac App Store.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Download the macOS installer

The first step is to download the macOS installer. You can do it like this:

1. Open the App Store on your Mac.
2. Find the version of macOS you want to install.
3. Click the “Download” button to start the download. The installer will be downloaded to your Applications folder.
4. Do not install it after the download is complete. You will need it to create a bootable USB.

Make sure the installer resides in the Applications folder for the next steps. Look for file names like Install macOS Big Sur or Install macOS Monterey depending on your preferred macOS.

Step 2: Format the USB drive

Next, you'll need to format your USB drive using the Disk Utility app to ensure it's ready to hold the macOS installer. Here's how:

1. Connect your USB drive to your Mac.
2. Open the Disk Utility app. You can do this by searching for it using Spotlight (press Command + Spacebar).
3. In Disk Utility, select your USB drive from the list on the left. Be careful and make sure you select the correct drive.
4. Click the “Delete” button at the top.
5. In the window that appears, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the Format. For the Scheme, choose GUID Partition Map.
6. Click “Erase” to format the drive.

Formatting will erase all data on the USB drive, so make sure there is no important data on the USB before proceeding.

Step 3: Create a bootable USB from the terminal

You are now ready to create a bootable USB using the terminal. Follow these instructions carefully:

1. Open the Terminal. You can find the Terminal in Applications > Utilities or by searching.
2. In the Terminal window, type the following command but don’t press Enter yet:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [Name\ of\ macOS].app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/[Name\ of\ USB\ drive]

Replace [Name of macOS] with the macOS version you downloaded (e.g., Big Sur) and replace [Name of USB drive] with the name of your USB drive.

3. For example, for macOS Big Sur on a USB named “MyUSB”, the command would look like this:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyUSB

4. Press Enter.
5. When prompted, enter your administrator password (the password you use to log into your Mac) and press Enter. Note that the cursor will not move as you type your password.
6. Wait for it to finish. This process will take a few minutes. When complete, you will see a "Done" message.

Using a Bootable USB

When you have successfully created your bootable USB, you may be wondering how to use it. Here is how you can boot your Mac from this USB drive:

1. Insert the bootable USB drive into your Mac.
2. Restart your Mac.
3. Immediately after turning on your Mac, press and hold the Option (⌥) key.
4. Release the keys when you see the Startup Options window.
5. Select your USB drive and press Return.

Your Mac will start up from the bootable USB drive, allowing you to install macOS on your device.

Troubleshooting tips

Here are some common problems you may encounter and ways to resolve them:

• USB drive not showing up: Make sure the USB drive is formatted correctly and properly connected to the Mac. Try using a different USB port.
• The installer app is damaged: If you get a message that the installer is damaged, delete it from the Applications folder and re-download it from the App Store.
• Terminal errors: Retype the terminal command and make sure all paths and names are entered correctly, taking into account capitalization and spaces.

Conclusion

Creating a macOS bootable USB can be a lifesaver when your Mac has a problem or needs to be reinstalled. Following this detailed guide ensures that you are prepared to handle any macOS installation needs. Please make sure you keep your bootable USB in a safe place and, especially before a macOS upgrade, keep a copy for unforeseen problems. Happy computing!

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