How to Create Bootable USB for macOS Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey
If you want to install macOS (Sonoma/Ventura/Monterey) on multiple computers or want to perform a clean install, you may use a bootable USB installer. This post offers a step-by-step guide on how to create a bootable USB for macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, etc.
How to Create a Bootable USB for macOS Sonoma/Ventura
Step 1. Prepare a USB Flash Drive
To make a macOS bootable USB, you need to prepare a USB flash drive. It should be blank or you can copy all data on it to another device. The USB drive should be at least 16 GB since the macOS installer file is about 13 GB.
Step 2. Format USB to Mac OS Extended
To create a USB installation media for macOS, the USB should be formatted to Mac OS Extended format first. You can easily do this with Disk Utility on Mac.
- Connect the USB to your Mac.
- Click Spotlight Search in the menu bar and search for Disk Utility to open it.
- In Disk Utility, select the target USB drive from the sidebar. Click the Erase button at the top.
- Type a name for the USB, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format, and select GUID Partition Map scheme.
- Click Erase to format the USB.
Step 3. Download the macOS Installer File
Next, you need to download the macOS installer file for creating the bootable USB for macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, etc.
macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, and older versions of macOS are available to download for free from the Mac App Store.
- Open the App Store on your Mac from the Dock.
- Search for the target macOS version that you want to download in the App Store.
- Click Get to download the macOS installer file to your Mac. After downloading, the installer file will be stored in the Applications folder.
Step 4. Create Bootable USB for macOS Sonoma/Ventura
- Connect the USB drive to your Mac computer.
- Click Spotlight and search for Terminal to open the Terminal app on your Mac.
- In Terminal, you can type the corresponding command listed below depending on your downloaded macOS version. Replace “MyVolume” in the commands with the real name of the USB drive. Press Enter to execute the command to create a bootable USB for macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, etc.
- macOS Sonoma:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sonoma.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/MyVolume. - macOS Ventura:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Ventura.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume. - macOS Monterey:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume. - macOS Big Sur:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume. - macOS Catalina:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume.
After it finishes creating the bootable macOS USB installer, safely eject the USB from your Mac.
How to Boot Mac from USB and Install Mac OS from USB Drive
- Back up data on your Mac first.
- Plug the bootable USB drive into your Mac. Make sure your Mac is well connected to the internet.
- For an Apple silicon Mac, press and hold the Power button to boot your Mac until you see the startup options window. For an Intel-based Mac, press the Power button and immediately press and hold the Option key.
- Select the volume that contains the bootable USB Mac installer from the startup options window.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install the target macOS (Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, or Big Sur) on your Mac.
Verdict
This post offers a step-by-step guide for how to create a bootable USB for macOS Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, etc. Instructions for how to boot Mac from USB and install Mac OS from USB are also provided. Hope it helps.
If your Mac does not have enough space to install macOS Sonoma, Ventura, etc. you can use BuhoCleaner to clean your Mac and free up more space on your Mac. For other Mac and iPhone tips, you may visit our official website: https://www.drbuho.com/.
