Are you looking to install macOS on your Mac, but don’t have the installation disc? Or perhaps you want to create a bootable USB drive to install macOS on multiple Macs? Whatever your reason, installing macOS from a USB drive is a convenient and efficient way to get your Mac up and running. In this article, we’ll take you through the process of creating a bootable USB drive and installing macOS from it.
Requirements and Preparations
Before you start, make sure you have the following:
- A Mac with a USB port
- 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 from Apple’s website)
- A computer with internet access (to download the installation files, if needed)
It’s also important to note that the USB drive will be erased during the process, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.
Downloading the macOS Installation Files
If you don’t have the macOS installation files, you can download them from the App Store or from Apple’s website. Here’s how:
- Go to the App Store 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
Alternatively, you can download the installation files from Apple’s website:
- Go to Apple’s website and click on the “Support” tab
- Click on the “Downloads” link
- Search for “macOS” and select the version you want to install
- Click on the “Download” button to start the download process
Creating a Bootable USB Drive
Once you have the installation files, you can create a bootable USB drive using the following steps:
- Connect the USB drive to your Mac
- Open the Disk Utility app (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
- Click on the “Quick Erase” option and then click on the “Erase” button
- Wait for the erase process to complete
Next, you’ll need to create a bootable partition on the USB drive:
- Open the Terminal app (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 --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [version].app --nointeraction - Replace “[version]” with the version of macOS you’re installing (e.g. “HighSierra”)
- Replace “MyVolume” with the name of your USB drive
This command will create a bootable partition on the USB drive. Wait for the process to complete.
Verifying the Bootable USB Drive
Once the bootable partition has been created, you can verify that it’s working correctly:
- Restart your Mac and immediately hold down the Option (⌥) key
- Release the Option key when you see the boot menu
- Select the USB drive from the list of available boot devices
- If the USB drive is bootable, you should see the macOS installation screen
Installing macOS from the USB Drive
Now that you have a bootable USB drive, you can install macOS on your Mac:
- Restart your Mac and immediately hold down the Option (⌥) key
- Release the Option key when you see the boot menu
- Select the USB drive from the list of available boot devices
- If the USB drive is bootable, you should see the macOS installation screen
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process
Post-Installation Steps
Once the installation process is complete, you’ll need to set up your Mac:
- Follow the on-screen instructions to select your language and country or region
- Select your Wi-Fi network or connect to a wired network
- Sign in with your Apple ID or create a new one
- Set up your Mac’s security features, such as FileVault and Firewall
- Transfer your data from another Mac or from a Time Machine backup
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If you encounter any issues during the installation process, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:
- If the USB drive is not recognized as a boot device, try restarting your Mac and holding down the Option (⌥) key again
- If the installation process freezes or crashes, try restarting your Mac and trying again
- If you encounter any errors during the installation process, try checking the Apple Support website for solutions
Conclusion
Installing macOS from a USB drive is a convenient and efficient way to get your Mac up and running. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to create a bootable USB drive and install macOS on your Mac. Remember to back up your important files before proceeding, and don’t hesitate to seek help if you encounter any issues during the installation process.
What are the system requirements for installing macOS from a USB drive?
To install macOS from a USB drive, your Mac must meet certain system requirements. First, your Mac should be compatible with the version of macOS you want to install. You can check the compatibility of your Mac on the Apple website. Additionally, your Mac should have a minimum of 2GB of RAM and 20GB of free disk space.
It’s also important to note that the USB drive you use should be at least 16GB in size and should be formatted as a Mac OS Extended (Journaled) volume. If your USB drive is not formatted correctly, you may need to reformat it before you can use it to install macOS. You can use the Disk Utility app on your Mac to format the USB drive.
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 installation files from the App Store and then use the createinstallmedia command in the Terminal app to create the bootable USB drive. First, download the macOS installation files from the App Store and then quit the installer.
Next, connect your USB drive to your Mac and open the Terminal app. Type the createinstallmedia command followed by the path to the USB drive and the –volume option. For example, if your USB drive is named “Untitled” and it’s connected to a USB port on your Mac, you would type “createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/Untitled”. Press Enter to run the command and wait for the process to complete.
What is the difference between a standard USB drive and a bootable USB drive?
A standard USB drive is a regular USB drive that you can use to store files and transfer data between computers. A bootable USB drive, on the other hand, is a special type of USB drive that contains the operating system installation files and can be used to boot up a computer.
The main difference between a standard USB drive and a bootable USB drive is that a bootable USB drive contains a boot loader that allows the computer to boot up from the USB drive. This boot loader is what makes it possible to install an operating system from a USB drive. A standard USB drive does not have a boot loader and cannot be used to boot up a computer.
Can I use a USB drive to install macOS on multiple Macs?
Yes, you can use a USB drive to install macOS on multiple Macs. Once you’ve created a bootable USB drive, you can use it to install macOS on as many Macs as you need to. Just connect the USB drive to the Mac you want to install macOS on, restart the Mac, and hold down the Option (⌥) key while the Mac is booting up.
This will bring up the boot menu, where you can select the USB drive as the boot device. Follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS. Note that you may need to reformat the USB drive after each use, depending on the version of macOS you’re installing and the Macs you’re installing it on.
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 version of macOS you’re installing, the speed of your USB drive, and the specifications of your Mac. Generally, the installation process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
The installation process typically involves several stages, including preparing the installation environment, copying the installation files, and configuring the operating system. You can monitor the progress of the installation process on the screen, and you’ll be prompted to restart your Mac when the installation is complete.
What should I do if the macOS installation from a USB drive fails?
If the macOS installation from a USB drive fails, there are several things you can try to troubleshoot the issue. First, make sure that your USB drive is properly formatted and that the installation files are complete and not corrupted.
You can also try restarting your Mac and trying the installation again. If the installation still fails, you may need to reformat the USB drive and recreate the bootable USB drive. If you’re still having trouble, you can try contacting Apple support for further assistance.
Can I use a USB drive to upgrade an existing installation of macOS?
Yes, you can use a USB drive to upgrade an existing installation of macOS. To do this, you’ll need to create a bootable USB drive with the upgrade files, and then use the USB drive to boot up your Mac and run the upgrade process.
Note that you should back up your important files and data before attempting to upgrade your existing installation of macOS. Additionally, make sure that your Mac meets the system requirements for the version of macOS you’re upgrading to.