How to create macOS bootable USB stick!

With this guide we see how to create a bootable USB stick for macOS in order to perform a clean installation of the operating system!If after years of various updates your Mac has slowed down a bit and needs a fresh installation of the operating system but you don’t know how to do it, continue reading this guide.With the steps that we are going to see shortly, you will be able to download and install a clean and updated copy of macOS .You don’t have to worry, the guide is very simple and within everyone’s reach and, importantly, you will not need any software, you will do everything with your Mac .

To format your Mac and install the latest version of macOS compatible with your machine from scratch , you will need to create a bootable USB stick !

Contents index

• 1What you need
• 2Where to download macOS
• 3How to create bootable USB stick for macOS
• 4How to use the key and install macOS from scratch
• 5- Apple processor
• 6Intel processor

What do you need

• A USB flash driveor other secondary volume, formatted as Mac OS Extended , with at least  16GB of available storage space
• A downloaded installer for macOS Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, High Sierra, or El Capitan

Where to download macOS

Here are the direct links to download the compatible version of macOS for your Mac :

• Monterey
• Big Sur
• Catalina
• Mojave
• High Sierra
• El Capitan

These are the latest versions of the macOS operating system , you just have to download the one compatible with your Mac .

Once you have downloaded macOS , the installation assistant will start automatically, close the program and do nothing.

As for El Capitan , a file with the name InstallMacOSX.dmg will be downloaded .

On an El Capitan compatible Mac , open the disk image and run the installer inside, named InstallMacOSX.pkg .

The file installs an app named  Install OS X El Capitan in the Applications folder.

How to create bootable USB stick for macOS

• Insert the USB stickof at least 16GB  and go to Applications -> Other -> Disk Utility and initialize the pendrive in the extended Mac OS format with the name of MyVolume (be careful that you will lose all the data inside it )
• Now, still from the Utilities folder, open the macOS terminaland type the following commands associated with the operating system of your choice

-> 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 Capitan:

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

NB : If you have given your USB key a name other than MyVolume , replace it within the string.

• After typing the string, press Enterto enter the command.
• When prompted, type the administrator passwordand press Enter again.
• When prompted, type to confirm that you want to erase the volume, then press Enter. The terminalshows the progress while initializing the volume. Y 
• After the volume has been initialized, you may see a warning indicating that the terminalwants to access files on a removable volume. Click OK to proceed with the copy.
• The volume will have the same name as the downloaded installer, for example, Install macOS Catalina.
• At the end you will see the writing ” Install media now available“, at this point you can close the terminal and eject the volume.

How to use the key and install macOS from scratch

Now that your bootable USB stick is ready to use, follow these steps to install a clean copy of macOS :

– Apple processor

1. Connect the bootable installer to aninternet-connected Mac compatible with the version of macOS you’re installing.
2. Turn on your Mac and keep holding the power buttonuntil you see the boot options window, which shows the boot volumes.
3. Select the volume containing the bootable installer, then click Continue.
4. When the macOS installeropens, choose Disk Utility and initialize the Mac hard drive  ( beware that you will lose all data inside it ).
5. Once this is done, close the window and choose ” MacOS Installation” to install the operating system.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete and install macOS from scratch on your Mac!

Intel processor

1. Connect the bootable installer to aninternet-connected Mac compatible with the version of macOS you’re installing.
2. Hold down the Option (Alt) key ⌥immediately after turning on or restarting your Mac .
3. Release the option keywhen you see a black screen showing the boot volumes.
4. Select the volume containing the bootable installer, then click the up arrow or press Enter.
5. When the macOS installeropens, choose Disk Utility and initialize the Mac hard drive  ( beware that you will lose all data inside it ).
6. Once this is done, close the window and choose ” MacOS Installation” to install the operating system.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete and install macOS from scratch on your Mac!

The guide on how to create a bootable USB stick in macOS and install the operating system from scratch is finished!