How to Install macOS from a thumb drive. (Create and use a bootable drive - easy!)

[@FamilyGeekery]

If you are having problems finding older versions of macOS in the App Store, make sure that the computer you are trying to download with is actually compatible with the macOS version you are trying to download. For example, don't try to download an old version of macOS with a new Apple Silicone MacBook/iMac, etc. Please keep in mind this is an older video and a lot has changed. But it still works if you use the right type of computer to create your drive.

[@markfreemantle7608]

After about a dozen attempts from other internet sources I found your video. Restoring to the Original OS solved the problem. Greatly appreciated.

[@gabemccool1]

Extremely Thankful! Found an old iMac at an estate sale that wasn't cleaned..... You saved me.

[@FamilyGeekery]

Thank you very much! Happy to help.

[@eagleboycortes]

Hi again. Finished installing the new SSD and installing a fresh copy of Catalina on it. This video was crucial to my success. I appreciate you for taking the time to guide us all through the process. Next step is to take this old midd 2012 girl to Sonoma OS.

[@FamilyGeekery]

Glad it helped!

[@aerocreates]

How did you get the 2012 to Sonoma? The same OS Boot disk?

[@eagleboycortes]

@@aerocreates since this was done about four months ago, I don’t fully recall. I think I used two separate thumb drives. One with Catalina, and one with Sonoma. I also kept the original hard drive with High Sierra just in case anything went wrong. My laptop didn’t end up liking Sonoma very much and so I set it back to Catalina. Might try for Sonoma again now since there have been more patches/updates.

[@fzamora1777]

real live saver man... thanks!!!! I already had the macos intall on a thumbdrive but installing it from thumbdrive is confusing... your stepes saved me.

[@FamilyGeekery]

Happy to help! Thanks for watching.

[@ceesstapel1200]

Great information, I used an old hard drive to install the MACOS since thumb drive didn't want to configure to GUID

[@DanKing-xn2np]

Thank you so much! Your video really helped!

[@jimmysayavong8556]

Works on the first attempt !! The best instruction I have ever seen. Thanks a lot.

[@thedxva]

Bro your boot portion or the video helped me a lot ❤

[@anjoesial9599]

This is so helpful! Thank you. I was in a state of panic because my MacBook Pro Mid-2012 was rendered useless because I (un)intentionally deleted its entirety including the software due to me having problems with the WiFi (cannot be turned on) and so I deleted it and it was reverted back to OS X (Mountain Lion) which blocked me from accessing certain networks and apps. However, due to this video's simple instructions, I was able to reinstall Mac OS Catalina and re-obtain my privileges. Again, thank you.

[@DCEmusicLife]

Works perfectly if you follow the steps as he says I even used the method for an older instrument version. Great job guy

[@timothyhowe5369]

Thank you! I used an old thumb drive, followed your directions, and was able to install it on my old Mac. Worked great!

[@YulianGyurov]

Steps 1. Download installation macos image (stop before actual starting installation - i.e. before Continue screen) 2. Finder - find downloaded installation package - Right-Click - Show Package Contents - Open folder Resources - click on Create Install Media 3. Open Terminal 4. Type sudo space -drag and drop from Create Install Media - space - type --volume space - drag and drop from USB drive 5. Enter - Erase drive - Yes 6. OK - (USB drive created) 7. Reboot with USB drive inserted - press and hold ALT/Option Key 8. Install Mac OS 9. Disk Utility - give name and erase 500 GB NVMe drive - Close Disk Utility 10. Install Mac OS

[@AlexCapra-m2z]

excellent. Very clear and thorough instructions. The best KZbin on how to make a bootable external drive.

[@jake.rockswell]

After I select install Mac OS, the only destination drive option i have to install is the usb flash drive, which it says is locked. The other main hard drive is not showing up. Even though, in disk utility the main hard drive does show up, and is in good working condition according to first aid.

[@SuperChiva]

im having the same issue! help!

[@woolybooly6859]

You are a savior!! You provided easy directions to install Big Sur on my "new" 2013 MacBook Pro with a new Samsung 500GB nvme which you also showed me how to install. A BIG Thank You!! 😀

[@dapindersandhu8690]

Did you used m.2 converter?

[@PepperGamerPG]

This guy saved my life and doesn't know it. I appreciate you!!

[@FamilyGeekery]

I know it now, lol. Happy to help. Thanks for finding and watching my video!

[@mare4034]

Thank you so much. Explanation was perfectly clear and helpful. I have installed new OS thanks to you.

[@FamilyGeekery]

Happy to help!

[@geogarabet7279]

Thanks for your helpful efforts 👏

[@soldierscraft9213]

Oh man I have been going for hours trying to solved this thank you soooo much I really appreciate it I’m sub and like 👍

[@FamilyGeekery]

Happy to help. Thanks for watching!

[@mrdsfpv957]

The best help, thank you, spent days trying to wipe and reinstall, creating the installer directory to the usb drive by dragging and dropping was amazing. Worked first time

[@FamilyGeekery]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching.

[@xlr82nrg666]

Thank you, great video.

[@jethronh]

im not finding any Mac OS on app store like you show in your video.

[@bertdunn8755]

try entering this into your search engine. How to create a bootable installer for macOs Hope this helps

[@jasoncaldeira8216]

Hello I did notbgetvthe answer yes after the password??

[@wassimrahmani3561]

Maybe you’re not searching for latest Mac OS

[@braydenlanders9306]

you must have downs

[@chrissss69]

​@@braydenlanders9306 😂 shut up Joe dirt

[@izonefan1871]

For anyone that cant find the mac os they need, all i did was google install high Sierra for mine and itll pull up the app on the app store despite me looking through there first.

[@a_aronhdtech]

Thank you. I was having the hardest time finding this.

[@andrewdunbar828]

Ah but I want to download on my M1 to put on a USB drive to then install on my old old Intel machine but it just tells me my new machine isn't compatible with it and gives me no further options.

[@eduardoolguin109]

You are a life saver! Did this for my 2015 MacBook Pro and it worked perfectly!

[@lindseyh-hw5gl]

More helpful than the Apple guide, thank you.

[@malarenu]

Hello, This MACOS will work in Macbook Pro 2015. My current Mac OS X Yosemite ver 10.10.5. This os is not support to sync on my Iphone 14pro in iTues and need to install os x 10.11.4 or later. Your input will helpful for me. or better to install windows.

[@paulstuartbuckby5134]

Thanks for this. It helped me tremendously.

[@FamilyGeekery]

Glad it helped!

[@Xerkies]

did not work for me I tried the powerbutten then hold option. The only things that showed up is the options to choose your wifi and the icon that says internet recovery

[@Cheeseandchili]

Super helpful, worked exactly as described 😊

[@iamdjshare]

I'm Really Glad I Watched Your Video

[@Articulo77]

I have a bootable external drive on a 2015 iMac and it has Mojave on it. How can I upgrade the OS on it while not erasing it and losing my accounts?

[@Martin_Vail_Esq.]

How do I create a boot disk using my working m2 Mac mini for a 2011 MacBook Pro with a brand new drive installed without any os? Trying to boot into recovery mode, it send me to the original LION installer. I attempted to run the installer just to get an OS on that drive, but it failed to install. Please help me figure this out, as the MacBook is in mint condition and I want to use it for basic web surfing, email.

[@RandAO]

Your videos are so detailed. They’ve helped me out a ton. I’m also having the same issue. HELP!! 😅

[@sekritskworl-sekrit_studios]

Has ANYONE found a solution to this Lion Problem?

[@accidrainn]

Can I use the same instructions for a SD card for both the OS & as the new "drive" that I will directly plug into my Imac ? Thanks ..New to Macs 😂

[@FamilyGeekery]

Yes, that should work. Some cards are pretty slow though. But if time isn’t an issue, go for it.

[@accidrainn]

​Thanks for the quick response!! Yeah we turned the internal HDD into an external essentially(iMac 2012)..& Now, I want to put the original OS back on without messing up the two drive partitions we made before.. I don't think my IDE to SATA plug is working ,to use a SSD...So, I had the idea to use my micro sd card (with adapter) in the SD slot built into the mac as a "bootable drive" I'm just trying to boot into the MacOS long enough to launch a VM on top... so it'll be fast enough , I'm hoping 😉​TY again new Sub! @@FamilyGeekery

[@robertsmaraniks5035]

By far the best video with good explanation, thank you 👍🏻

[@FamilyGeekery]

Thank you very much! Happy to help.

[@peterstathus8079]

Will the USB drive, I've just created, to an iMac which was running High Sierra beautifully until it got mucked up! I created the boot disk to enable cleaning the H.D. and reinstall High Sierra, on a Mac Mini running Mojave? Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks

[@ers247]

dude thank you for doing this. It helped me and was able to get it installed

[@scottbaines9421]

Good morning, can you tell me wherebto find the MacOS download in the UK app store as i cant seem to find it. many thanks

[@olesyagolub518]

Thank you! This fixed my problem.

[@FamilyGeekery]

Thanks for watching!

[@MathieuGoldstein]

Awesome, it works! Thanks so much! I could restore my system

[@FamilyGeekery]

Happy to help. Thanks for watching!

[@tasiordog]

will this work with an old harddrive ?

[@rogerlinder8606]

best ever tutorial so Thanks m8 best wishes n all from Sweden //RL 👍👍👍

[@CristiiKris]

I have on question. I try follow what you say. And formatting the soft. I delete macos from macbook. The soft. Like when deleted windows when instal. What you say this work for instal ? I try follow steps. I download the soft after apple stor. Because i download any image after appel website and dont work have 4,5 gb and cannot make stick boot. Now try from apple store have 12 gb and try make same like you. But i dont understand what you write there. And what modified. For windows is very easy. But mac os and linux is little hard. Guve headache 😊😅

[@atl944]

Hi, thanks for the video....but when I search the app store for macos, I don't see any installers. I am trying to get me mac mini reinstalled. I wiped the drive, but not having any luck with the recovery app, it fails all the time and I can't get the spinning golbe to come either. Any help would be much appreciated, thanks

[@joelcalderon376]

Hello, can you send me a drive with the installer ? I change the hard drive with ssd and don’t want to open it again

[@kevinallenpederson]

Great video, thanks for the info!

[@dune6739]

Would this still work if you deleted Macintosh hd from disk utility?

[@FamilyGeekery]

Yes, after you have the thumb drive, you can install macOS on any hard drive that’s been wiped, formatted, etc.

[@abolfazlrezvani4818]

Thank you sir

[@TechieWeb3]

Thank you so much ❤

[@kutlwanothwayisa]

hi, it’s failing to Erase it, what should i do?

[@RétrosWorldMusic]

My Macintosh HD was accidentally deleted. Will this USB help solve the problem or should I consider getting a new hard drive?

[@SzefAdas]

This can be work on macos x lion 10.7.5?

[@bW9taeH4]

When I do that, holding down control gets me where I expect, and one of the choices is what's on the USB. But selecting it doesn't get me to a menu. It gets me to a spinning globe with a message that it's starting Internet recovery. This happens both with a USB that I created as well as one made by somebody else that was used to restore a different Macbook. Any ideas?

[@camillafrandsen1484]

My current MacBook runs Sonoma, and isn’t compatible with the MacOS High Sierra, that I’m trying to make into a bootable installer for an older iMac. I’m therefore stuck with a dmg-file of High Sierra downloaded form the internet, that I can’t move to Applications. Is it a lost cause?

[@FamilyGeekery]

It only needs to be in the application folder to match the command lines I listed. You can modify the folder location in those commands to match its location.

[@camillafrandsen1484]

​@@FamilyGeekery Thank you for replying. The High Sierra that I downloaded from the Apple Support website is shown as an external disk symbol in my Downloads folder (and not the macOS High Sierra logo). When opening it, it is shown as a package symbol. When I try to launch it, I get an error message that the software isn't supported by the system, so I am not able to follow the video guide past 3:30-ish.

[@ajayagarwal3492]

Not able to achieve. The Mac says software not supported even though I chose to install Big Sur for my 13 inch Early 2014 Mac Air

[@ShahriarParvez-o4o]

You saved my life... Thank you.

[@MrFikret90]

I don't have any Mac OS results in AppStore :/ Maybe because I'm trying download it from latest OS.

[@abihailagcaoili1507]

Thanks for sharing, works perfectly fine!

[@SteveDanyleyko]

Thank you

[@JusttheletterG]

what password a re you typing in? the one you use to open your laptop?

[@FamilyGeekery]

Yes, the main account password for the laptop.

[@AB_Deloaded]

I did everything, I’m just stuck on the install part. When I go to install, I have to choose between my bootable drive or the hard drive. I tried both for not knowing. However, the message is the same for both: “This copy of the Install OS X El Capitan application can't be verified. It may have been corrupted or tampered with during downloading.” As soon the remaining time show. Note: I didn’t erased the main drive because, I’m not sure will it delete all my mini projects. Any help? Thanks in advance 🤙🏾 ! @FamilyGeekery

[@Jdude-123]

How do you do this with something like Mac OS captain

[@heartandvascularcareconsul8947]

after a day of shitty attempts from other videos, this video did the trick

[@FamilyGeekery]

Awesome! I’m glad to hear that!

[@hamzaeldahrawy1370]

I really hope u reply so I did everything perfect but the when it’s downloaded I can’t connect to the Wi-Fi it’s not even detecting anything also a white screen appears as the wallpaper. I also noticed that it doesn’t run without the flash drive

[@andrewdunbar828]

Not easy. July 2024 I can't find any macos versions in the App Store. Looking for anything between Mountain Lion and Sierra to install on my mid-2013 MBA, using App Store on my M1 MBA.

[@smarce120]

Thank youuu

[@g82bfree]

Hi Chris, everything was going well up to installing the bootable disk via terminal. At the end of % progress and after 'making disk bootable' message, I received this: Couldn't extract BaseSystem to path: /Volumes/Install macOS Monterey/BaseSystem The bless of the installer disk failed. Any idea why?

[@josep7831]

After i did the bootable usb and install it on my imac when I hit the macOS sonoma it stays in a black screen and dont do anything it been like this for about 15 minutes

[@torii6153]

I have a MBP 2011 model a1278. OS supported if I do a reset over the internet is mac os lion. you think will work on my device?

[@samaramarzola]

Much appreciated, worked like a charm.

[@lightupfun4972]

I have a simple question: It appears that 99.9% of the comments you actually reply to are the compliments that really don’t need a response from you. But 99.9% of people begging for help, get nothing. One question I saw dozens of times was not finding any Mac OS in the App Store. Not once did I see a reply from you. Any reason for that? Why allow comments at all if you aren’t going to make time to answer them? You sound like a smart guy and a nice guy, so this was disappointing. Praise gets a reply but problems needing a quick answer do not? Not cool.

[@FamilyGeekery]

Fair question/comment. I guess my response boils down to this: There are dozens of reasons why people might have problems with the instructions in the video. The majority is likely caused by trying to download an older version of macOS then the downloading computer is compatible with. Apple is "smart enough" to not let you download High Sierra on a M1 MacBook, for example. I've actually answered this hundreds of times via email, social media, etc. But I agree, that's not a good enough excuse for not answering comments here. I try to balance my time the best I can in order to continue to create content that helps people. Thank you for calling me out on this. I'll post something in a pinned comment, and I plan on making an updated video that addresses common problems.

[@TheoRhoades]

Ok, so my issue is that I just created a bootable drive but the SSD is not showing. I have a Crucial P3 and it is not showing up in disk utility at all. I'm guessing this is because once I remove the OEM SSD and replace- it registers back to factory (2014) which is Yosemite. This OS doesn't support the firmware for this SSD...is this correct and how the heck do I fix this?

[@certaincresulam6201]

I am also having this problem!

[@TheoRhoades]

@@certaincresulam6201 Have you tried uploading time machine? I haven't tried this yet.

[@OMPrograms]

this was wildly helpful!

[@TheKRICHRIS]

once I get to password ? does not allow me to enter anything I just see a key and cannot enter anything the password is the Macbook password ?

[@daricjohnson6990]

I have the same issue

[@faisalirshad1one]

"You have done an amazing job."

[@essai_]

my usb is not letting me eject it and I am too worried to force eject it any ideas what may be still using it? terminal said it was now a bootable drive

[@essai_]

Update I ejected it and am currently in the process of installing the os from the thunbdrive will update if anything negative happens. No news is good news

[@christophergonzalez1554]

It works! But it's still downloading the actual update from the wifi not the thumb drive. Right? I've got 300 Macs to update. This is killing the WiFi speed.

[@TheUndefeatedLegend]

Thanks buddy helped me out!

[@JosephMacaby]

after I type in the password in the terminal is just does nothing and goes back to the first line basically where i can type it all in again but it doesnt ask for a password again. any idea what Im doing wrong?

[@k1llzdemons]

I don’t see Mac OS in my AppStore I’m in a mid 2012 MacBook pro

[@katebowes5944]

🤨🤔 All went well making the install disk, plugging it in to the new SSD upgraded 5,1, powering up while holding down the option key … up comes the Install image and arrow which I click on and then the 🚫 comes up and can go no further. Any advice, kind sir?

[@DJLAU22]

i read on apple support that it means ur computer cant run that os

[@katebowes5944]

@@DJLAU22 Thanks for taking the time to respond. I worked it out!

[@karastas76]

how to download an older Mac OS app installer from a newer version?

[@budski1366]

Copying to disk? How long is that because I been waiting for almost 20mins still nothing?

[@jacobcolgan7043]

Thank you for the help

[@kieranjparry]

Not all heroes wear capes!

[@ryanashby2459]

When I hold down Option I see the option to install the OS, but it makes me choose a network, then runs the Internet Recovery and fails...

[@SuperPunisher18]

legend bro

[@perwezabbas-tv6094]

Do you think that the same process that you described in your video will work for Macbook Pro 15" mid 2010?

[@FamilyGeekery]

It should. I might even have videos on a 15” 2010. Let me know if you have any troubles.

[@perwezabbas-tv6094]

@@FamilyGeekery Of Course you have video on it but it is all about Boot camp. Since the last three days I have seen many videos but nothing works for me. I don't wanna spend $20 for WinClone software just for one backup. I tried many other softwares including open source Clonezilla but nothing works. I am stuck. I am seriously thinking about reinstalling my HDD so that I could Operate Windows 7. If you come up with any solution then please do let me know

[@FamilyGeekery]

@perwezabbas-tv6094 are you trying to just install a fresh macOS, or do a full clone of your old drive?

[@perwezabbas-tv6094]

@@FamilyGeekery I wanted to Clone the entire HDD to SSD but I could Clone only MacOS Lion 10.7.5 but failed to clone Boot Camp where my Windows 7 is installed

[@perwezabbas-tv6094]

@@FamilyGeekery I couldn't install fresh and upgraded ios like High Sierra so I just cloned the old MacOS Lion which is instslled in my HDD

[@prayritmehrotra3382]

is this work on macbook air 2014 model ?

[@FamilyGeekery]

Yes it will

[@AndersonPalma]

thanks, helped a lot!

[@OlajumokeAdetilewa-David]

Can I use an external hard drive?

[@FamilyGeekery]

You can, but hopefully you don’t have anything on there that you need, since it will format the drive.

[@OlajumokeAdetilewa-David]

@@FamilyGeekery ooh thank you.

[@bryanbeddingfield5489]

ive got a 13 inch 2019 macbook that a girlfriend gave me she said her dads girlfriend left it at her dads house. she wanted to see if i could get the previous owners id off and reinstall mac os i know this is sketch but im being honest with you. technically its a hot device but i cant return it so how can i make it useful? i already erased it but when i tried to boot it from a thumbdrive it wouldnt let me. its basically bricked now and the girl isnt coming around anymore so i would like to jail break it or something first of all what do you think and second will you make a video on how to do that?

[@bfed9jstariobsrfdteinu]

Ok. I got a free 2011 iMac 21.5 inch from someone and they said the hard drive was missing. So there is no hard drive. How do I install macOS on there then?

[@carlosmorningstar5981]

after it asks password it doesnt allow me to put a password also what password its asking i dont get it ? @

[@ChristianHDD]

I know this is 2 months old. But you just enter your password and hit enter. It does not show you typing the password, it will just show the little lock or key icon. So just type the password and even though it doesn't indicate you're typing, you are. And hit enter.

[@KingdomTouches]

I'm having an error validating the installer data. The download is either damaged or incomplete.

[@heyyouthere39]

nothing happens after i did all that in terminal

[@a_aronhdtech]

life saver. Thanks

[@caseyrichardson776]

Did everything just right and everything worked up till clicking on the install to the computer and it shows this 🚫 and after that shows up I can do anything else, what do I do?

[@FamilyGeekery]

Did you just install a new hard drive? If so, you can double check the connections

[@caseyrichardson776]

I had to factory reset the computer cause my fiancé is wanting to use it at his business, then I did everything the video told to do and got stuck when sticking the usb drive in holding the option key then clicking the install macOS Ventura (only option I had on App Store) then it went straight to the 🚫 screen, I let it sit sense that comment and then it went to the select language screen then the options that are seen when you go and select disk utility.

[@moeathmann8617]

Thank You!

[@Dragonfly1969]

I cannot download macOS Ventura using a 32 Gb flash drive on my late 2014 Mac mini