How to Create a Bootable USB for Mac - Full guide

Updated by

Cici 

Updated on Nov 25, 2024

An easy-to-use and quick approach can be a game-changer when installing or repairing macOS. This strategy can be creating a bootable USB drive to deal with all system issues. While you might think doing this is a complex process, it is straightforward and has the right guidance. In this step-by-step guide, EaseUS will walk you through what it entails when considering how to create a bootable USB for Mac.

Following the instructions in this article, you'll learn how to prepare your drive and boot from it properly. With the right tools and clear directions, you can create a bootable USB that can be a powerful backup. It will enable you to resolve problems or perform system upgrades without an internet connection.

How to Create a Bootable USB for Mac - Full Guide

To ensure that you don't face any problems at any point in this operation, we will go through the process stage by stage. This guide will show you the necessary preparations to ensure your flash drive is properly working. By following these instructions carefully, you'll gain the confidence to create a bootable USB for Mac that can easily be used:

Stage 1. Preparation for Creating a Bootable USB for Mac

Completing a few preliminary steps is essential to ensure everything goes smoothly. This stage involves gathering the necessary tools, preparing your USB drive, and obtaining the correct macOS installer. Proper preparation will save time and prevent issues during the creation process.

What you need to prepare: 

• A formatted USB drive with at least 32GB of free space
• The macOS installer (located in the "Applications" folder).

Since creating a bootable USB for Mac requires erasing the flash drive, it's crucial to back up any critical data stored on it. With that done, you are ready to dive into the operation confidently. Also, share this tutorial to help more of your friends create a bootable USB for Mac: 

Stage 2. Reformat the USB Stick

Ensure the drive's file system is compatible with macOS to ensure it runs successfully. Therefore, reformatting your USB drive is crucial in preparing it for use as a bootable disk.

Doing this will erase existing data and set the drive up with the correct file system. Follow these steps to properly reformat your stick when trying to create a bootable USB for Mac:

Step 1. To commence, plug your flash drive into an available USB port on your Mac and access Disk Utility. You can do that via the "Cmd + Space" command in Spotlight or navigating to the "Utilities" folder in "Applications."

Step 2. In the "Disk Utility" window, locate and select your USB drive from the left sidebar. Next, click the "Erase" button at the top and rename your drive in the upcoming dialog box.

Step 3. When it comes to choosing the "Format" and "Scheme," set them to "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" and "GUID Partition Map" respectively. Finally, use "Erase" to reformat the drive and wait for the process to complete.

Stage 3. Create a Bootable USB via EaseUS Partition Master for Mac

With the groundwork laid, we are poised to undertake the paramount phase of this operation, creating a bootable USB for Mac with the downloaded macOS version. The process typically involves running commands through the Terminal, which can be complex and intimidating. It requires precision, as any misstep in command execution could result in errors or worse.

For those looking for a more straightforward approach without delving into command-line instructions, EaseUS Partition Master for Mac offers a lifeline. With this innovative software, you can quickly set up your USB drive for macOS installation or recovery without worrying about manual input. In addition, it offers features for disk cloning, file system conversion, and NTFS support.

Unlike traditional methods, it guides you through the operation to ensure a smooth experience with minimal effort. The following are the simplified instructions you need to follow to create a Bootable USB for Mac:

Note: This procedure will automatically erase your USB drive to a compatible format. Due to all data on the USB drive will be erased during the process, create a backup if needed.

Step 1. Connect an external disk like a USB drive to your Mac.

Step 2. Launch EaseUS Partition Master for Mac and navigate to the macOS Installer Creator.

Step 3. Select the macOS you want and the tool will download it from Apple automatically. Also, you can use the local pkg package if you already have one on your device.

Step 4. Then, select the target USB drive to create a bootable media.

Step 5. Finally, perform the operation and wait patiently till the macOS installer is created successfully.

Step 6. Once the bootable installer creation is completed, you can restart your Mac from the USB drive for new macOS installation.

For Apple Silicon Macs:

• Shut down your Mac and press and hold the power button until you see the startup options window.
• Select the bootable installer drive and click "Continue."

For Intel Macs:

• Restart your Mac and immediately hold the "Option (Alt)" key.
• Release the key when the Startup Manager appears.
• Select the bootable installer drive and press "Return."

Additional Features of EaseUS Partition Master for Mac:

• Clone SD card on Mac
• Read and write NTFS drives
• Check hard drive health on Mac
• Convert FAT drives to exFAT format
• Open BitLocker for Mac

In short, EaseUS Partition Master for Mac is the easiest way to create a bootable USB for Mac. Its powerful features and ability to simplify complex processes eliminate the need for complicated commands, which makes the entire process faster and more accessible to ensure a smooth experience. Give it a try and streamline your disk management tasks today.

Stage 4. Boot Your Mac from the Bootable USB

When all is done, it is time to use your flash drive to reinstall the OS or repair the targeted issues. You can boot your Mac from the bootable USB you created. This straightforward process ensures that you can install or troubleshoot the macOS. Follow these steps to boot your Mac from the bootable USB without a hitch:

Step 1. After ensuring your Mac is powered off, plug in your bootable flash drive and press the “Power” button to turn it on. Immediately after turning it on, hold down the “Power” key until you can view the Startup Manager screen.

Step 2. If you're using an Intel-powered Mac, hold down the "Options" key after restarting. On the Startup Manager screen, you will see the disks that can be used to start the system.

Step 3. Select the USB drive you prepared earlier and hit the "Return" key to boot your Mac from it. Afterward, you can proceed with macOS installation, recovery, or any other tasks you've set up.

Conclusion

In summary, knowing how to create a bootable USB for Mac is a valuable skill that provides reliable backup. It proves essential for system installations, troubleshooting, and recovery on your MacBook. Using the right tools, you can simplify the process and ensure a successful outcome. The most helpful program in this regard is EaseUS Partition Master for Mac, which helps you avoid complex commands.

Additionally, this software offers a wide range of amazing features, from cloning OS disks to providing full NTFS support. Following the stages outlined in this guide, you now have everything you need to prepare, format, and use your USB drive effectively. A bootable USB drive on hand provides a convenient, accessible solution for unexpected system issues. Embrace these methods to keep your Mac running smoothly, no matter what challenges arise.

Part 4: FAQs About How to Create a Bootable USB for Mac

It is understandable if you find the process challenging, mainly if you are unfamiliar. The following are answers to a few FAQs regarding how to create a bootable USB for Mac to help you:

1. How do I select a bootable USB on a Mac?

Utilize the guide given below to boot your MacBook from a bootable USB drive:

• Step 1. Turn off your Mac and attach the drive before using the "Power" button to power it on. Hold down the "Power" key for Apple Silicon devices and the "Options" key for Intel devices to bring up the Startup Manager screen.
• Step 2. Choose Your bootable USB drive from the list of available bootable devices. Now, hit the "Return" key to boot your Mac from it.

2. Can I use Rufus to create a bootable USB for Mac?

Unfortunately, this ISO-burning tool is only compatible with Windows and Linux systems. Rufus cannot decipher bootloaders, meaning it won't work for macOS. Instead, you can employ software like EaseUS Partition Master for Mac to perform this operation.

3. How to make a bootable USB on a Mac using Disk Utility?

Adhere to the elaborate guide detailed below to achieve your goal without a hitch:

• Step 1. Insert the targeted USB into your Mac and launch Disk Utility via the "Utilities" folder in "Applications." On the following window, choose your drive from the sidebar to hit "Erase" and proceed to select "Format" and "Scheme" for formatting.
• Step 2. Choose "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" for "Format" and "GUID Partition Map" for "Scheme" and rename the drive before hitting "Erase" again.
• Step 3. Following this, launch Terminal and run the "udo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [version].app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/BootableUSB" command to make the USB drive bootable.