Creating a bootable USB is a convenient way to install or upgrade your macOS High Sierra on multiple computers or troubleshoot your existing system. In this article, we will walk you through the process of creating a macOS High Sierra bootable USB.
Requirements:
Before we get started, make sure you have the following:
1. A Mac computer with macOS High Sierra already installed.
2. A USB flash drive (with at least 8GB capacity) or an external hard drive.
Step-by-Step Guide:
Follow these simple steps to create a macOS High Sierra bootable USB.
Step 1: Download macOS High Sierra
First, you need to download the macOS High Sierra installation file from the Mac App Store.
Step 2: Prepare the USB Flash Drive
– Plug in your USB flash drive or external hard drive into your Mac.
– Open Disk Utility (you can find it in the Utilities folder) and select your USB drive from the list.
– Click on the “Erase” tab and choose a format (Mac OS Extended (Journaled)) and give it a name (e.g., “HighSierraUSB”). Click “Erase” to format the drive.
Step 3: Create macOS High Sierra Bootable USB
Now, it’s time to create the bootable USB.
– Open Terminal (you can find it in the Utilities folder).
– Use the command `sudo /Applications/Install macOS High Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/HighSierraUSB –applicationpath /Applications/Install macOS High Sierra.app` and hit Enter.
– You’ll be asked for your administrator password, so enter it and press Enter again.
– Terminal will now start creating the bootable USB. Be patient; this process may take some time.
Step 4: Verify the Bootable USB
After the process is complete, you need to verify the USB.
– Restart your Mac and hold down the Option key while it’s booting up.
– You should see a list of available startup disks. Select the “Install macOS High Sierra” option.
– If your Mac successfully boots into the installation screen, it means your bootable USB is working perfectly.
Step 5: Install macOS High Sierra
Now that you have a bootable USB, you can use it to install or upgrade macOS High Sierra on any compatible Mac.
– Restart your target Mac and hold down the Option key.
– Select the bootable USB from the list of available startup disks.
– Follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS High Sierra.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I use a Windows PC to create a macOS High Sierra bootable USB?
No, you cannot create a macOS bootable USB from a Windows PC. You need a Mac computer with macOS High Sierra already installed.
2. Can I use a USB drive smaller than 8GB?
No, macOS High Sierra installation files exceed 8GB, so you’ll need a USB drive with at least 8GB of space.
3. Will creating a bootable USB erase any data on my flash drive?
Yes, creating a bootable USB will erase all existing data on the USB drive. Make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.
4. Can I use an external hard drive instead of a USB flash drive?
Yes, you can use either a USB flash drive or an external hard drive to create a bootable USB.
5. How long does it take to create a macOS High Sierra bootable USB?
The time required to create a bootable USB depends on the speed of your Mac and the USB drive. It generally takes around 15-30 minutes.
6. Can I create a bootable USB for another macOS version?
Yes, you can use a similar process to create a bootable USB for other macOS versions.
7. Can I reuse the bootable USB after installing macOS High Sierra?
Yes, you can reformat and reuse the bootable USB for other purposes after installing macOS High Sierra.
8. Can I use a bootable USB to install macOS High Sierra on multiple computers?
Yes, one bootable USB can be used to install or upgrade macOS High Sierra on multiple compatible Mac computers.
9. Are there any alternatives to create a bootable USB?
Yes, there are third-party tools available that can help create a bootable USB for macOS High Sierra.
10. Can I create a bootable USB on a newer macOS version?
Yes, you can create a bootable USB on a Mac with a newer macOS version installed. Just make sure to use the appropriate command according to the macOS version.
11. Can I create a macOS bootable USB on a Hackintosh?
Yes, you can create a macOS bootable USB on a Hackintosh using a similar process.
12. Can I use an SD card instead of a USB drive?
No, macOS does not natively support creating bootable SD cards. It is recommended to use a USB flash drive or an external hard drive.
