How to Create a Bootable USB Drive for macOS - Tips and Tricks

How to Create a Bootable USB Drive for macOS: A Comprehensive Guide

Ever found yourself in a situation where you needed to install or reinstall macOS, but didn't have a bootable drive at your disposal? If you have, the process can seem a bit daunting. But don't worry, we've got you covered.

In this tutorial, we’ll be going through a step-by-step guide on how to create a bootable USB drive for macOS. We'll also share useful tips and tricks that will help you get through the process with ease. By the end of the article, you'll be able to handle any macOS installation or reinstallation hassle-free. So, let’s dive in.

What you need:

Before we start, ensure that you have the following essentials:

- A USB drive with at least 16 GB storage capacity.

- A stable internet connection to download macOS.

- A Mac running on OS X El Capitan or later to download and install macOS.

Download macOS

First, you need to download the macOS installer. Visit the Mac App Store, search for the macOS version you want and download the installer. The installer will be saved in your Applications folder. Once the download is complete, don't rush to install it. Just quit the install process and proceed to the next step.

Format the USB Drive

To make your USB drive bootable, you have to format it. Here are the steps:

1. Plug in your USB drive into your Mac.

2. Open Disk Utility. You can find it in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder.

3. In the sidebar under ‘External’, select your USB drive.

4. Click on the ‘Erase’ tab.

5. For format, select ‘Mac OS Extended (Journaled)’.

6. For scheme, select ‘GUID Partition Map’.

7. Click ‘Erase’.

Once done, your USB drive will be formatted and ready for the macOS.

Create the Bootable USB Drive

After you've formatted the USB drive, create a bootable USB drive for macOS. Here's how:

1. Close any running applications.

2. Open Terminal. You can find it in the Utilities folder within your Applications folder.

3. Depending on the version of macOS you've downloaded, type the corresponding command in Terminal.

- For macOS Mojave:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

- For macOS High Sierra:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

Remember to replace "MyVolume" with your drive's name.

4. Press ‘Return’ to enter the command.

5. Type your admin password and press ‘Return’ again.

The Terminal will now start erasing the disk and then create the bootable USB drive.

Install macOS

After successfully creating the USB bootable drive, restart your Mac and hold down the Option key as it boots up. Select the bootable USB drive in the startup disk selection, then install macOS as you would usually do.

Wrap Up

And there you have it! You’ve just made a bootable USB drive for macOS. This guide ensures that the process is as smooth as possible. With this by your side, you should never fear losing your data or having to reinstall your macOS. Just boot up from the USB drive and get things done.