how to make a usb drive bootable on a mac computer

#How to make a usb drive bootable on a mac computer how to#
#How to make a usb drive bootable on a mac computer install#
#How to make a usb drive bootable on a mac computer pro#
#How to make a usb drive bootable on a mac computer password#
#How to make a usb drive bootable on a mac computer download#

Now that we know why we need to create a bootable installer for macOS, let’s look at its prerequisites. You can also use the USB bootable drive to create a dual boot Mac with two versions of macOS. There are also instances where you will be required to use a bootable USB installer for macOS if your Mac doesn’t boot up or if you want to downgrade the macOS version.

#How to make a usb drive bootable on a mac computer install#

You need the help of a bootable USB installer to install the latest macOS beta on your Mac. Why does one need to make a bootable USB on a Mac?

#How to make a usb drive bootable on a mac computer how to#

How to create a bootable installer for macOS.

Requirements to create a bootable installer.

Why does one need to make a bootable USB on a Mac?.

Don’t believe me? Follow along to create a bootable USB drive installer for macOS.

While hearing the name may make you wonder if it’s anything complex, it is not as hard as you think. Crisis averted.A bootable USB installer is something that contains the files to boot your Mac to any particular macOS version. If the time comes to use this tool, insert it into the USB C port and boot the machine while holding down the Option key. With this handy bootable USB installer, you can reinstall macOS without much trouble. Should something go wrong with your MacBook or iMac, the last thing you need is to be left without the means to recover. On the off-chance you do, you can rest assured it is there to serve. Once complete, eject the USB drive and put it away for safekeeping. Wait until a new window pops up informing you your bootable installer has been created and is ready to use. The process can take some time (about 10 minutes), and will seem like it’s not doing anything (there is no progress bar). With authentication out of the way, the app will create the bootable USB drive.

#How to make a usb drive bootable on a mac computer password#

You will then be prompted for your user password (or, if you have a touchbar, to touch the fingerprint sensor). If that’s okay, click Erase Disk ( Figure B). The app will warn you that everything on your USB drive is about to be permanently erased. Once everything is in order, click Create Installer. If you have more than one downloaded, you can click Choose a macOS install and then select which one you prefer. Install Disk Creator should automatically select the downloaded installer file. By default the tool will select your local drive–do NOT use that drive for the installer. Once Install Disk Creator opens ( Figure A), click on the top drop-down and select the correct USB drive to be used.

#How to make a usb drive bootable on a mac computer download#

Simply download the file, open up finder, change into the directory housing the download, and double-click on the downloaded file. This particular app is a self-contained piece of software, so there’s no actual installation to be done. The tool we will be using is called Install Disk Creator.

The USB does not have to be formatted in any particular way, as the installer will take care of this for you. Once the download has completed, insert your USB drive and you’re ready to go. If you’ve already downloaded the file–it’ll be listed as Open (otherwise, click Download). To get this software, open the App Store and search for “High Sierra.” After clicking on the entry, you will either see an Open or Download button. The first thing you must do is download the installer file from the App Store. I’ve used this inexpensive solution without fail.

Don’t forget, if this is a standard USB flash drive you’ll need an adapter for the USB C ports on the laptop. You don’t want to create your installer drive and accidentally erase the installer files while working with a spreadsheet or presentation. I highly recommend at least a 12GB flash drive that will be used solely for this purpose. You will need an internet connect and a flash drive with a minimum of 5GB of space.

#How to make a usb drive bootable on a mac computer pro#

I’ll be demonstrating this on a 2017 MacBook Pro with High Sierra. If you know such a USB drive is in your future, but do not want to toy with the terminal, you’re in luck–the process can be done with the help of a handy GUI. We’ve already covered how to do this from the command line (See How to create a bootable USB to install OS X), but I wanted to give those with a fear of the command line a way to do the same thing. With this handy flash drive, you can reinstall macOS, should something go awry. Stop! Before you do anything to that costly (and wonderful) piece of hardware, you should consider creating a USB installer drive for macOS. You bought that shiny new MacBook Pro or iMac, and you’re ready to start working. With the help of a GUI, Jack Wallen shows you how to create a handy flash drive for macOS. Your new Mac doesn't include an installation media. How to create a bootable USB installer drive for macOS