How to Install macOS on a Mac Tower from a USB Drive

Edited 4 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Installing macOS on a Mac Tower from a USB drive may seem like a daunting task, but it's quite easy if you follow the step-by-step instructions. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, detailing each step. Whether you're setting up a new Mac Tower, performing a fresh install, or looking to restore your computer, this guide will help you achieve your goal.

Why install macOS from a USB drive?

There are several reasons why you might want to install macOS from a USB drive:

• Perform a clean installation to erase your current setup and start fresh.
• If your system is broken or has system errors, get it fixed.
• Upgrade to a new version of macOS that isn’t available through the normal update channels.

Requirements

Before you begin you will need the following:

• A Mac tower.
• USB drive with at least 16GB of storage.
• A stable internet connection.
• Access to the Mac App Store or macOS installation files for the version you want to install.

Let’s begin this journey to install macOS on your Mac Tower using a USB drive. Follow these steps carefully to avoid any mishap or data loss.

Step 1: Preparing your USB drive

The first step in this process is to prepare your USB drive. This includes formatting it so that it can be used as a bootable device:

Formatting a USB drive

1. Insert the USB drive into one of the USB ports on your Mac tower.
2. Open the Disk Utility application: You can find it by searching for "Disk Utility" using Spotlight (shortcut: Command + Space).
3. In the Disk Utility sidebar, select your USB drive.
4. Click the Erase button at the top of the Disk Utility window.
5. Set the following parameters:
• Name: Give your drive a name that you can easily recognize, such as, "macOS Install Disk".
• Format: Select "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)".
• Scheme: Select "GUID Partition Map".
6. Click the Erase button to format the drive.

Step 2: Getting the macOS Installer

Next, you will need the macOS installer file. Here are the steps to download the installer from the Mac App Store:

Downloading from the Mac App Store

1. Open the App Store on your Mac.
2. Find the version of macOS you want to install. You can find versions like macOS Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, and more.
3. Click the Get or Download button next to the macOS version.
4. The installer will begin downloading. You can monitor its progress in your Applications folder.
5. After the download is complete, the installer will open automatically, but do not proceed with the installation. Close it instead.

If the version you want is no longer available in the App Store, you may have to look for alternative sources or create an installer from another Mac that already runs the desired macOS version.

Step 3: Creating a bootable USB installer

Now that your USB is formatted and the macOS installer is ready, it's time to create a bootable USB drive:

Using Terminal commands

1. Open the Terminal application (as mentioned earlier, you can find it using Spotlight search).
2. Type the following command, modifying it with the appropriate macOS installer name if necessary. For example, to create a bootable installer for macOS Monterey, type:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/macOS\ Install\ Disk

3. Press Enter when prompted and enter your admin password (note: you won't see the password characters).
4. Confirm the erasure of your USB drive by typing Y when prompted, and then pressing Enter.
5. The process will start, and you will see the progress on the terminal window. This may take some time depending on the speed of your USB drive.
6. Upon successful completion, the Terminal will display a message stating that the bootable drive has been created.

Step 4: Booting from the USB drive

Once the bootable USB drive is ready, it’s time to use it to install macOS on your Mac tower:

Booting and installing

1. With the USB drive still connected, restart your Mac tower.
2. Press and hold the Option (⎇) key when you hear the startup chime or see the Apple logo.
3. Keep pressing until you see a list of bootable drives on the screen.
4. Use the arrow keys to select the USB drive labeled "Install macOS Monterey" (or whatever version you have set up).
5. Press Enter to boot from the selected drive.
6. Your Mac will now boot to the macOS Utilities screen. Here you have options like Disk Utility, Restore from a Time Machine Backup, and Reinstall macOS.

If you are doing a clean installation:

7. Select Disk Utility and click Continue.
8. In Disk Utility, select the drive where you want to install macOS.
9. Erase the drive with the following settings: Name: (choose the drive name you want), Format: "APFS" (for newer macOS versions) or "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" (older versions).
10. Close Disk Utility to return to the macOS Utilities screen.
11. Select Reinstall macOS and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

Step 5: Completing the installation process

Once the installation begins, your Mac tower will restart a few times. This is normal, so let it continue without interruption. During the installation, your Mac will configure and set up the new system, making sure everything is working correctly:

Setup after installation

1. After installation, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Mac. This includes setting your language preferences, connecting to Wi-Fi, and signing in with your Apple ID.
2. You may also have the option to migrate your data from another Mac or a Time Machine backup.
3. Continue setting the preferences according to your needs and finish the setup by arriving at the macOS desktop screen.

Now that your Mac tower is running a fresh installation of macOS, you can restore backup data if necessary, or enjoy a fresh start with your Mac.

Troubleshooting common problems

It's not uncommon to encounter problems during this process. Here are some common problems and their possible solutions:

Problem 1: USB drive won’t boot

• Check if the USB drive is formatted properly. It should be set to "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" with the "GUID Partition Map" scheme.
• Verify that the macOS installer is successfully copied to the drive.
• Try using a different USB port.
• Create a bootable USB installer again by following the steps above.

Problem 2: Installer loop

• If your Mac continually returns to the install screen, make sure the correct boot drive is selected from the Startup Manager.
• Check for any steps you missed during formatting and setup.

Problem 3: Internet connection failure

• Make sure your Mac is connected to the Internet during initial setup for verification purposes.
• If Wi-Fi issues persist, try using a hardwired (Ethernet) connection.

Final thoughts

Installing macOS on a Mac tower using a USB drive is an effective way to perform a clean installation, system repair, and upgrade. Mastering this process gives you the ability to manage issues and keep your Mac running smoothly with the latest features and improvements. Remember that it is important to keep backups using Time Machine or similar services to avoid data loss during such processes. With this knowledge, you are able to maintain and configure your Mac environment according to your preferences and requirements.

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