How to Create A Bootable Installer for macOS - Full Steps

Whether you're a beginner looking to install a different version of macOS or an IT professional managing several devices, creating a bootable installer for macOS provides the flexibility and control necessary for effective system maintenance.

If you don't know how to create a bootable installer for macOS, this page from EaseUS can help you with a detailed tutorial. Read on to learn more.

What Is A Bootable Installer for macOS

A bootable macOS installer is a USB drive or external disk that contains the full macOS installation files. It allows users to boot Mac from the media and install a different macOS version (Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, Catalina, etc.) without needing to download the installer each time.

It is particularly useful when you want to perform a clean installation, troubleshoot system issues using macOS Recovery, or set up multiple Macs. A bootable macOS installer is an essential tool for both home users and IT professionals with its reliable and efficient way of managing macOS installations.

Preparation

To ensure the success of bootable macOS installer creation, here are a few things you need to prepare in advance:

• A USB flash drive (at least 16GB; 32GB recommended)
• Connect your Mac to an available internet
• Verify admin access on your Mac

After this, you can follow either of the methods below to create the bootable macOS installer.

Way 1. Create A Bootable Installer for macOS Automatically

For users who are not familiar with macOS or the procedure of bootable installer creation, the easiest choice is to use a professional tool - EaseUS Partition Master for Mac. This tool can help you create the bootable installer in a few simple clicks instead of complex command lines.

With its clear interface and step-by-step prompts, the procedure can be completed quickly and safely. Here are the detailed steps.

Note: This procedure will automatically erase your USB drive to a compatible format. Due to all data on the USB drive will be erased during the process, create a backup if needed.

Step 1. Connect an external disk like a USB drive to your Mac.

Step 2. Launch EaseUS Partition Master for Mac and navigate to the macOS Installer Creator.

Step 3. Select the macOS you want and the tool will download it from Apple automatically. Also, you can use the local pkg package if you already have one on your device.

Step 4. Then, select the target USB drive to create a bootable media.

Step 5. Finally, perform the operation and wait patiently till the macOS installer is created successfully.

Step 6. Once the bootable installer creation is completed, you can restart your Mac from the USB drive for new macOS installation.

For Apple Silicon Macs:

• Shut down your Mac and press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.
• Select the bootable installer drive and click "Continue."

For Intel Macs:

• Restart your Mac and immediately hold the "Option (Alt)" key.
• Release the key when the Startup Manager appears.
• Select the bootable installer drive and press "Return."

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Way 2. Create A Bootable Installer for macOS Manually

If you don't like third-party tools, Mac also allows users to create a macOS installer with its installation files. However, this takes more steps that might be complex for some users. Make sure you carefully follow the guide below.

Step 1. Download the full macOS installer from Apple. Ensure it's downloaded to your "Applications" folder as that's where the Terminal command will find the installer. Also, make sure the macOS installer is named correctly as "Install macOS [Version]" and that it's ".app," instead of ".dmg" or ".pkg."

Step 2. Connect the USB drive to your Mac.

Step 3. Open Finder, go to "Applications" > "Utilities," and open Disk Utility.

Step 4. Select your USB drive from the left panel.

Step 5. Click on "Erase." Name it (e.g., MyVolume) and choose "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" as the format. Click "Erase" to format the drive, which will delete all existing data.

Step 6. Launch the Terminal application (also in "Applications" > "Utilities").

Step 7. Now, run the createinstallmedia Command. Enter the following command in Terminal, replacing "MyVolume" with the name of your USB drive. (Each command assumes that the installer is located in your Applications folder.)

• macOS 14 (Sonoma)

• macOS 13 (Ventura)

• macOS 12 (Monterey)

• macOS 11 (Big Sur)

• macOS 10.15 (Catalina)

• macOS 10.14 (Mojave)

• macOS 10.13 (High Sierra)

• OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)

Step 8. Press "Return." You will be prompted to enter your administrator password (note that Terminal will not show any characters as you type).

Step 9. Terminal will ask if you want to erase the volume. Type Y and press "Return" to confirm.

Step 10. Then, Terminal might prompt a confirmation to access files on a removable volume. Click "OK" to continue.

Step 11. Once the process is completed, you'll notice the volume is named the same as the installer you downloaded.

You can then quit Terminal and eject the USB drive.

Additional Tip: How to Use the Bootable Installer

After the bootable macOS installer is created, you can use it to perform a clean installation of new or old macOS versions. Here's how:

Step 1. Connect the USB Drive to the Mac where you want to install macOS.

Step 2. Start the Mac:

• For Macs with Apple silicon: Shut down the Mac, then hold the power button till the startup options window shows up. Then, select the USB installer and click "Continue."
• For Intel-based Macs: Shut down the Mac, then press and hold the "Option (Alt)" key while turning it on. When you see the bootable volumes, release the key and then select the USB installer, and press "Return."

Step 3. Once the installer opens, follow the on-screen prompts to install macOS.

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Conclusion

This page covers two practical methods for Mac users to learn how to create a bootable installer for macOS, along with an extra tip on how to boot from the USB drive and install a new version of macOS for the device. Among the two means, EaseUS Partition Master for Mac makes the whole procedure easier and safer, benefiting users who are looking for an automatic solution to this.

Create A Bootable Installer for macOS FAQs

1. How to create a bootable installer for Windows 10 on Mac?

To create a Windows 10 bootable installer on a Mac, you can:

• Download the Windows 10 ISO.
• Format a USB drive as MS-DOS (FAT).
• Use a tool like UNetbootin or Etcher (or Boot Camp Assistant for Intel Macs) to create the bootable drive.

2. Where do I find the macOS installer?

You can find the macOS installer in the Applications folder on your Mac after downloading it from the App Store. It will typically be named as "Install macOS [Version]."

3. Why is installer not working on Mac?

The macOS installer may not be working because of insufficient storage space, a corrupted installer file, incompatibility with your Mac, issues with the startup disk, software conflicts, or problems with macOS Recovery.