Want to create a bootable macOS USB install drive? You’re in the right place! Whether you’re upgrading, troubleshooting, or reinstalling macOS, this guide will walk you through the entire process step by step. Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Download macOS.
First, download the macOS version you need. For this tutorial, we’ll use macOS Monterey as an example. Simply search ‘Create bootable macOS USB drive’ online to find Apple’s official download page. Or you can get it from Apple store.
Once it’s downloaded, quit the ‘Install macOS’ utility from the menu bar. This step is crucial to access the installer package. If “To set up the installation of macOS Monterey, click Continue” popup, close it.
Step 2: Locate the Installer
Next, open Finder, navigate to ‘Applications,’ and locate the ‘Install macOS’ file. You will find Monterey in our example.
Right-click on it, select ‘Show Package Contents,’ and open the ‘Contents’ folder. Then, open the ‘Resources’ folder. Here, you’ll find the ‘Create Install Media’ file, which we’ll use next.
Step 3: Open Terminal
Now, let’s open Terminal. Go to Finder, select ‘Applications,’ then ‘Utilities,’ and double-click on ‘Terminal.'”
With Terminal open, we’re ready to create our bootable USB drive!
Step 4: Prepare Your USB Drive
Insert a USB drive into your Mac. Remember, this process will erase all data on the drive, so make sure it’s empty or you’ve backed up your files.
Next, in Finder, click ‘Go’ from the menu, select ‘Go to Folder,’ and type ‘/Volumes.’ Your USB drive should appear here. Drag and drop it into Terminal.”
Step 5: Run the Command
In Terminal, type sudo followed by a space. Go back to “Finder”, ‘Show Package Contents,’ and open the ‘Contents’ folder. Then, open the ‘Resources’ folder. Drag the ‘Create Install Media’ file from the Resources folder into Terminal. Then, type –volume followed by another space. Go back to Volume, drag and drop your USB volume into Terminal. Press ‘Return’ on your keyboard.
Step 6: Create the Bootable Drive
Terminal will prompt you for your password. Enter it, then confirm you want to continue by typing ‘Y’ and pressing ‘Return.’
The process will erase your USB drive, copy the installer files, and make the disk bootable. This step may take a few minutes, so be patient.
Final Step: Ready to Use Now, Your bootable macOS USB install drive is ready to use. You can now plug it into any Mac and start the installation process.
