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Installing macOS from a USB drive is a convenient way to reinstall or upgrade your operating system. Whether you need to do a fresh install or troubleshoot issues with your Mac, using a bootable USB installer can make the process smoother. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to create and install macOS from a USB drive.

Requirements

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

  • A USB Drive (at least 16GB) – The USB will be formatted, so ensure you back up any important files.
  • A Mac computer – You’ll need a Mac to create the bootable installer.
  • A macOS Installer – Download the macOS version you want from the Mac App Store or Apple’s website.
  • Stable Internet Connection – Required to download the macOS installer.

Step 1: Download the macOS Installer

  1. Open the Mac App Store or visit Apple’s official website.
  2. Search for the macOS version you need (e.g., macOS Ventura, macOS Monterey, etc.).
  3. Click Download and wait for the installer to be saved in the Applications folder.

Step 2: Format the USB Drive

  1. Plug in your USB drive.
  2. Open Disk Utility (Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility).
  3. Select your USB drive from the left-hand sidebar.
  4. Click Erase and choose the following settings:
    • Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
    • Scheme: GUID Partition Map
  5. Click Erase to format the drive.

Step 3: Create a Bootable macOS USB Installer

To create a bootable USB installer, follow these steps:

  1. Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal).
  2. Type the following command based on your macOS version:For macOS Ventura:sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Ventura.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USBFor macOS Monterey:sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USBReplace USB with the actual name of your formatted drive if different.
  3. Press Enter and enter your Mac’s administrator password when prompted.
  4. Wait for the process to complete. The USB drive will now contain a bootable macOS installer.

Step 4: Boot from the USB Drive

  1. Plug in the bootable USB drive to the Mac you want to install macOS on.
  2. Restart the Mac and immediately hold down the Option (⌥) key until the boot menu appears.
  3. Select Install macOS from USB and press Enter.

Step 5: Install macOS

  1. Once the macOS Utilities window appears, choose Disk Utility.
  2. Select your Mac’s internal drive and click Erase.
    • Format it as APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
  3. Close Disk Utility and return to the macOS Utilities window.
  4. Click Install macOS and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 6: Complete the macOS Setup

  1. Once the installation is complete, your Mac will restart.
  2. Follow the setup instructions to configure language, Wi-Fi, Apple ID, and other settings.
  3. Restore from a backup if necessary.

Conclusion

Installing macOS from a USB drive is an efficient method for a clean installation or recovery. By following these steps, you can create a bootable installer, boot from it, and successfully install macOS on your Mac. If you encounter any issues, ensure your USB is properly formatted and the correct macOS installer is used.