Are you looking to install macOS on your Mac or a virtual machine, but don’t have the installation disc? Look no further. In this article, we will show you how to boot and install macOS from a USB drive. This method is perfect for those who want to perform a clean install of macOS or create a bootable USB drive for emergency situations.
Requirements
Before we begin, make sure you have the following requirements:
- A Mac or a virtual machine that supports macOS
- A USB drive with at least 16GB of free space (the more, the better)
- The macOS installation files (you can download them from the App Store or Apple’s website)
- A computer with internet access (for downloading the installation files)
Downloading the macOS Installation Files
To download the macOS installation files, follow these steps:
- Go to the App Store on your Mac and search for “macOS”
- Click on the “Get” button next to the macOS version you want to install
- Click on the “Download” button to start the download process
- Wait for the download to complete (this may take several minutes or hours, depending on your internet connection)
Creating a Bootable USB Drive
Now that you have the macOS installation files, it’s time to create a bootable USB drive. To do this, follow these steps:
- Connect the USB drive to your Mac
- Open the Disk Utility app on your Mac (you can find it in the Applications/Utilities folder)
- Select the USB drive from the list of available disks
- Click on the “Erase” button to erase the USB drive (make sure you have backed up any important files on the drive)
- Click on the “Quick Erase” option and then click on the “Erase” button
- Wait for the erase process to complete (this may take several minutes)
Formatting the USB Drive
Once the erase process is complete, you need to format the USB drive. To do this, follow these steps:
- Select the USB drive from the list of available disks
- Click on the “Partition” button
- Select the “1 Partition” option
- Click on the “Options” button
- Select the “GUID Partition Table” option
- Click on the “OK” button
- Click on the “Apply” button
- Wait for the formatting process to complete (this may take several minutes)
Creating the Bootable USB Drive
Now that the USB drive is formatted, it’s time to create the bootable USB drive. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Terminal app on your Mac (you can find it in the Applications/Utilities folder)
- Type the following command and press Enter:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [version].app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume(replace “[version]” with the version of macOS you are installing and “MyVolume” with the name of your USB drive) - Press Enter to run the command
- Wait for the process to complete (this may take several minutes)
Verifying the Bootable USB Drive
Once the process is complete, you need to verify that the bootable USB drive was created successfully. To do this, follow these steps:
- Connect the USB drive to your Mac
- Restart your Mac
- Immediately hold down the Option (⌥) key
- Select the USB drive from the list of available startup disks
- Click on the “Continue” button
- Wait for your Mac to boot from the USB drive
Installing macOS from the Bootable USB Drive
Now that you have verified that the bootable USB drive was created successfully, it’s time to install macOS from the USB drive. To do this, follow these steps:
- Connect the USB drive to your Mac
- Restart your Mac
- Immediately hold down the Option (⌥) key
- Select the USB drive from the list of available startup disks
- Click on the “Continue” button
- Wait for your Mac to boot from the USB drive
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS
Completing the Installation Process
Once the installation process is complete, you need to complete the setup process. To do this, follow these steps:
- Follow the on-screen instructions to select your language and country or region
- Click on the “Continue” button
- Follow the on-screen instructions to select your Wi-Fi network
- Click on the “Continue” button
- Follow the on-screen instructions to transfer information from another Mac or PC
- Click on the “Continue” button
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Apple ID
- Click on the “Continue” button
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Mac
Conclusion
In this article, we showed you how to boot and install macOS from a USB drive. This method is perfect for those who want to perform a clean install of macOS or create a bootable USB drive for emergency situations. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a bootable USB drive and install macOS from it.
What are the system requirements for installing macOS from a USB drive?
To install macOS from a USB drive, you’ll need a Mac with a USB port, a USB drive with at least 16 GB of free space, and a compatible version of macOS. The USB drive should be formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and have a GUID Partition Table (GPT) scheme. Additionally, your Mac should meet the system requirements for the version of macOS you’re trying to install.
It’s also important to note that some older Macs may not support booting from a USB drive, so you may need to check your Mac’s documentation to confirm compatibility. Furthermore, if you’re trying to install a newer version of macOS on an older Mac, you may need to check the system requirements to ensure that your Mac meets the minimum specifications.
How do I create a bootable USB drive for macOS installation?
To create a bootable USB drive for macOS installation, you’ll need to download the macOS installer from the Mac App Store and then use a tool like DiskMaker X or Terminal to create the bootable drive. You’ll need to insert the USB drive, open the Disk Utility app, and format the drive as Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Then, you can use the Terminal app to run a command that will create the bootable drive.
Alternatively, you can use a third-party tool like DiskMaker X, which provides a graphical interface for creating a bootable drive. Simply download and install DiskMaker X, insert the USB drive, and follow the prompts to create the bootable drive. Once the process is complete, you’ll have a bootable USB drive that you can use to install macOS.
How do I boot my Mac from the USB drive?
To boot your Mac from the USB drive, you’ll need to insert the drive and then restart your Mac. Immediately after restarting, hold down the Option (⌥) key while your Mac boots up. This will bring up the boot menu, which will allow you to select the USB drive as the boot device. Select the USB drive and press Enter to boot from it.
If you’re using a newer Mac with a T2 chip, you may need to hold down the Power button while booting up to access the boot menu. Additionally, if you’re using a Mac with a non-Apple keyboard, you may need to use a different key combination to access the boot menu. Consult your Mac’s documentation for more information.
What happens if my Mac doesn’t recognize the USB drive?
If your Mac doesn’t recognize the USB drive, there are a few things you can try to troubleshoot the issue. First, make sure that the USB drive is properly inserted and that the drive is formatted correctly. You can try reformatting the drive as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and then recreating the bootable drive.
If the issue persists, you may want to try using a different USB port or a different USB drive. Additionally, you can try resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) and the Power Management Unit (PMU) on your Mac, which can sometimes resolve issues with USB devices. Consult your Mac’s documentation for more information on how to reset the SMC and PMU.
Can I install macOS on a Mac that’s currently running Windows?
Yes, you can install macOS on a Mac that’s currently running Windows, but you’ll need to erase the Windows partition and replace it with a macOS partition. To do this, you’ll need to boot from the USB drive and then use the Disk Utility app to erase the Windows partition. Then, you can use the macOS installer to install macOS on the newly erased partition.
Keep in mind that installing macOS on a Mac that’s currently running Windows will erase all of the data on the Windows partition, so be sure to back up any important files before proceeding. Additionally, you may need to reinstall any Windows-specific drivers or software after installing macOS.
How long does it take to install macOS from a USB drive?
The time it takes to install macOS from a USB drive can vary depending on the speed of your Mac and the USB drive. On average, the installation process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. The installation process involves copying the macOS files to your Mac’s hard drive, which can take some time.
Additionally, the installation process may involve updating your Mac’s firmware and configuring the operating system, which can also take some time. You can monitor the installation progress on your Mac’s screen, and you’ll be prompted to restart your Mac when the installation is complete.
What should I do if the macOS installation fails?
If the macOS installation fails, there are a few things you can try to troubleshoot the issue. First, make sure that the USB drive is properly inserted and that the drive is formatted correctly. You can try reformatting the drive as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and then recreating the bootable drive.
If the issue persists, you may want to try using a different USB port or a different USB drive. Additionally, you can try resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) and the Power Management Unit (PMU) on your Mac, which can sometimes resolve issues with USB devices. Consult your Mac’s documentation for more information on how to reset the SMC and PMU.