How to Download and Create macOS ISO File in 2024 [No Skill Requirements]

This post will introduce how to download macOS ISO files on a Mac. To simplify the process, if you're just looking to create a macOS bootable media, then we offer an easier and more convenient way - a free macOS installation feature provided by EaseUS Mac data recovery software!

If you want to install a macOS version on a virtual machine, such as VMware or VirtualBox, downloading a macOS IOS file is necessary. This post provides a full guide on how to download macOS ISO file and how to create a macOS ISO file by yourself. Read on to learn more detailed information!

What Is a macOS ISO File

A macOS ISO file allows you to create macOS from a Windows PC, an incompatible Mac, or an alternative media, so you can boot your Mac from the installer bootable device. However, you can't download macOS ISO files directly from the App Store; where can you download the macOS ISO file you want? Scroll down to find the answer!

Where Can I Download a macOS ISO File

Since Apple doesn't provide an official way to download ISO files, you'll have to go through some third-party sites to download the macOS ISO file you want; it's worth noting that you'll need to be able to tell if the source of the download is trustworthy or not.

To simplify the process, if you're just looking to create a macOS bootable media, then we offer an easier and more convenient way - a free macOS installation feature provided by EaseUS Mac data recovery software, which helps you to download macOS on a USB flash drive, an SD card, or an external hard drive with three steps!

Download and install this powerful and trusted all-in-one software; you can create macOS Sequoia bootable USB or older macOS versions with a few clicks! Follow the steps below to create a macOS bootable installer without hassle:

✨Step 1. Connect USB Flash Drive and Choose a macOS Version

Launch EaseUS recovery software, and choose "macOS Installer" from the Advanced Features. Insert a USB that has more than 16GB of free storage space.

• Option 1: Choose a macOS version you want to install, and a new windows will ask you to download macOS installer from App Store. After downloading the installer, click "Refresh".
• Option 2: If you have already downloaded macOS installer, choose "Add" and select the installer you have downloaded.

Finally, you can choose "Create macOS Installer" to start creating the bootable installer. You can select various macOS versions like macOS Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura, Monterey, Big Sur, and older versions.

✨Step 2. Erase the USB and Create a macOS Installer

A notice window will appear to warn you this operation will remove everything on this USB. Make sure you have backed up data and nothing important is left on this USB, click the "Erase and create".

✨Step 3. Wait and Check How to Use macOS Installer

The software will automatically format the USB and download macOS installer files. After creating the bootable macOS installer, click the blue link on the interface to learn how to use the macOS Installer boot device to install macOS. Finally, click "Finish" to complete the whole process.

Want to run the new macOS experience the first time it's released? Download EaseUS software to get you up to speed and protect your data, and share this post on SNS to help your friends learn how to download macOS quickly and safely!

In addition to downloading the latest macOS version quickly and securely, this program also facilitates users who want to downgrade their operating system, for example, downgrade macOS Sequoia to Sonoma. Don't hesitate to download it and enjoy the free features!

How to Create a macOS ISO File [macOS Sequoia]

If you want to create a macOS ISO file, you should follow four steps here:

• Step 1. Download the macOS installer
• Step 2. Create an ISO disk image
• Step 3. Create a macOS bootable installer
• Step 4. Convert the installer into the ISO format

Here are the detailed steps:

Step 1. Download the macOS installer

The first step is to download the macOS version you want from the App Store: Search for the macOS version > Click the "Get" button. You can also launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac, go to the "macOS Installer" tab, and click on the drop-down list to select the version you want.

The EaseUS software will quickly download macOS. However, this method doesn't allow you to install macOS Sequoia on unsupported Mac models, which means if your Mac isn't compatible, the App Store dims the "Get" button of the macOS version, so you can't download incompatible macOS versions on your Mac.

Step 2. Create an ISO disk image

After downloading the macOS version you want, you can continue creating a disk image file via Disk Utility. Here are the steps you can refer to:

1. 1. Go to the Disk Utility app on your Mac.
2. 2. Choose "File > New Image > Blank Image".
3. 3. Enter a filename for the disk image, add tags if necessary, and then choose where to save it.

This is the name that appears in the Finder, where you save the disk image file before opening it.

Step 3. Create a macOS bootable installer

🔔source from: Apple Support.com

You can use the Terminal program to create a macOS bootable installer. Check out the steps below:

1. 1️⃣. Connect the USB flash drive directly to your Mac.
2. 2️⃣. Open Terminal, which is in the Utilities folder of your Applications folder.
3. 3️⃣. Depending on which macOS you downloaded, enter one of the following commands in Terminal.

1. 4️⃣. Type your administrator password if needed, and press "Return".
2. 5️⃣. Type Y to confirm that you want to erase the volume when the window is prompted, then press "Return". The Terminal shows the progress as the volume is erased.

1. 6️⃣. Allow the copy to proceed by clicking "Ok" when you see an alert that the Terminal wants to access files on a removable volume after the volume is erased.

When Terminal says the install media is now available, the volume will have the same name as the installer, such as Install macOS Sequoia. You can now quit Terminal and eject the volume.

If you think this post is helpful, share it on your SNS to help more people learn how to download the macOS ISO files they want.

Step 4. Convert the installer into the ISO format

Convert the macOS disk image from .cdr to .iso and move it from the /tmp folder to your desktop by the following command line:

mv /tmp/Name.cdr ~/Desktop/Name.iso

Replace the "Name" in this command with the name of the macOS version you downloaded. After running this command, you can see the macOS ISO file on the Mac Desktop.

Conclusion

A macOS ISO file allows you to create macOS from a Windows PC, an incompatible Mac, or an alternative media, so you can boot your Mac from the installer bootable device. However, you can't download macOS ISO files directly from the App Store. This post introduces how to download macOS ISO files with step-by-step tutorials. 

To simplify the process, if you're looking to create a macOS bootable media, then we offer an easier and more convenient way - a free macOS installation feature provided by EaseUS software, which helps you to download macOS on a USB flash drive, an SD card, or an external hard drive with three steps!

Download macOS ISO FAQs

1. Where can I download a macOS ISO file?

Since Apple doesn't provide an official way to download ISO files, you'll have to go through some third-party sites to download the macOS ISO file you want. To simplify the process, if you're just looking to create a macOS bootable media, then we offer an easier and more convenient way - a free macOS installation feature provided by EaseUS software, which helps you to download macOS on a USB flash drive, an SD card, or an external hard drive with three steps:

1. Step 1. Connect an External Drive and Choose a macOS Version
2. Step 2. Erase the USB and Create a macOS Installer
3. Step 3. Wait and Check How to Use macOS Installer

2. How can I create a USB bootable installer for macOS?

You can create a bootable installer for macOS by the following steps: Download a full macOS installer from Apple official > connect an external hard drive or USB flash drive to your Mac > Launch Terminal to create the bootable installer.