How to create a macOS bootable installer drive

7 February, 2022 Technology

 

With a new year approaching, you may want to reinstall a fresh new macOS - sparkly clean and back to square 1 of storage. There are several other reasons why creating a macOS installer is necessary - perhaps the Mac is starting to slow down, it has Malware, or you're looking to install macOS on multiple devices.

 

It's often a go-to thing for people with Mac's that are slowing down or have ongoing problems. A fresh install is an instant clean up to your desktop and downloads folder, too, but make sure to back up any important files before doing this.

 

When it comes to a bootable installer drive, we can create it using any old external drive, from a USB to an SSD.

 

Creating a Bootable USB installer drive

First and foremost, connect the USB to the Macbook and open the Terminal (within the Utilities folder). Copy and paste one of the following commands depending on which MacOS you want, though it's recommended to simply use Monterey.

 

Monterey:

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

 

Big Sur:

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

 

Catalina:

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

 

Mojave:

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

 

High Sierra:

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

 

El Captain:

sudo /Applications/Install\\ OS\\ X\\ El\\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\\ OS\\ X\\ El\\ Capitan.app

 

After entering this command, simply type in the Admin password if prompted and press return again. Press Y when asked if you want to erase the USB volume. If asked whether Terminal can have access to the files on the volume (USB), simply accept.

 

If you're having difficulties with this part, head to Apple Support for any extra help. Don't worry, this is the only technical part of the process, as it gets easier from here on.

 

Booting the Mac

The next step is to boot the Mac using the USB installer. Connect the USB, keep WiFi on, and restart the Mac. If you're using a Silicon Mac, keep the power button held down whilst it's booting. If you're on an Intel Mac, hold down the options button whilst it's booting up.

 

If you're unsure whether you're using a Silicon Mac or an Intel, head to About This Mac in the Apple menu. When looking at the details, the word Chip will be found for Apple Silicon users, whilst the word Processor will be found for those using an Intel Mac.

 

This should present to you the Startup Manager window. From here, it's plain sailing; the hard bit has been down, so now it's just the long bit. Click through the on-screen instructions, using the Apple Support website or Youtube to assist with any queries, and the Mac should eventually begin installing the fresh version of macOS onto the device.

 

The USB needn't be amended should you want to do this with multiple devices.

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