How to Install MacOS Sonoma on a External Hard Drive

[@steve-852]

Love the idea of moving from one machine to another just by swapping the external HDD. Great idea

[@openmarkand]

I don't recommend to use enclosures to convert NVMe/M.2 to USB, those do not support SMART capabilities so you won't get any sensitive features like thermals and wearing.

[@charleneb.6583]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. After a visit to the Genius Bar with NO successful solution and considering trading in my 2019, iMac for a new version, I am now using my iMac. Your directions (along with others) were extremely helpful in getting it to run. It's faster than ever. And I was able download the newest operating system and transfer all my files. Thank you again. (I'm actually typing this review from my faster MAC. It would have been impossible prior to the external drive install.) - 12/2024

[@steve-852]

Would love to have seen a read/write benchmark and maybe some real world tests like opening heavy programs/files

[@martin5697]

Do you run this as your daily setup? The new M4 base Mac Mini seems tempting with running the OS off an external drive. Are there any non starting boots (enclosure software failures) or cooling issues?

[@nottsumit]

Will crucial nvme ssd will work on MacBook?

[@TerrysTechTips]

I use a crucial P3 SSD that i boot off of using an OWC enclosure.

[@sparfis]

in this case will swap memory will use the new large ssd for swap memory or will keep the internal original mac ssd to swap memory?

[@TerrysTechTips]

I actually don’t know 🤷

[@crevinator]

I'm trying to do this on a Crucial X 10. No luck. In the Erase/format I only can choose APFS - there is no partition map option. The erase works I believe. I start the install of Sonoma but when the computer restarts to complete the install I can't get it to continue the install on the X 10. I can get to the internal hard drive by holding down the start button ( I have anApple M1 chip running Sonoma 14.6.1 and I'm trying to install Sonoma on the X 10. Do you have any suggestions other than try a different external drive? Thanks!

[@TerrysTechTips]

I think I had a similar issue to this in the past a while back when I first bought my laptop. For me it turned out to be the enclosure. I bought an OWC Envoy Express hard drive enclosure for about $80 that seemed to fix it. That hard drive you have doesn’t need an enclosure, but the only thing I can really think of is it doesn’t work on that hard drive. I’m so sorry.

[@crevinator]

@@TerrysTechTips I'll try a different hard drive maybe. Same Samsung you had? I can see that Sonoma is on the hard drive but it won't reboot to that drive to complete the install and when I force it by holding down the start button it says that drive isn't an option

[@firstlast-lt6xp]

Please don't change your goodbye wave at the end. It's very unique (charming and friendly). It's the opposite vibe of a tech bro. I actually subscribed because of it.

[@andonisr]

I use this technique of installing it on an external drive, to test the waters and see if I like the new OS or if it can handle everything I've got with my current OS :-)

[@RestrictedRican]

“Milabits”

[@NurmYokai]

Bootable external storage, extends the lifespan of internal storage. This is important, when it comes time to sell your Mac. Versus dead non-removable internal storage turning the Mac into eWaste. Also you can 'easily' clone external storage. Create multiple backup plug-and-run drives; faster than Time Machine restore.

[@RobbyBalboa-cj4ig]

Using a USB drive to protect your internal one from wear is like the millennial version of putting a thick plastic cover over your couch.

[@theroza31]

Please dont buy a mac if you're going to have this mindset

[@Tailslol]

Genius idea to put life into an aging soldered SSD. I'm sure this will be a lot more common soon.

[@blainefire4588]

you should do more rumors videos it will help grow your channel

[@developerfriendly]

great video, thanks

[@kennethyoon91]

Remove Adobe cache files (if you have adobe suite installed) it occupy hundreds GB of System drive storage without doing anything useful.

[@brianbs7348]

Nice one Terry

[@HungarianPenguin]

mac people :D

[@buff9267]

why don't you just upgrade the storage

[@-win-]

It would seem to be stupid to buy a computer with no. upgradability options with memory or. hard drive because they are permanently attached to the main board, meaning if one of those three components fails, you need new computer. unless you have paid for an apple care warranty So when you buy a Mac, buy an expensive one, make sure it's got at least 6 gigs of memory and 2024. I don't know how much hard drive storage you use, but double or triple it depending on how much you've got on your old computer. This would be a typical video from somebody who brought the cheapest mac available. I would say one good thing about Apple is if you go and buy the cheapest apple, at least it will work, but this might be the situation later. However, if you go and buy the cheapest HP as an example, it will not be a pleasant experience At least Apple computers work even if you buy the cheapest one.

[@arozinos863]

Or just buy a PC. Or a Linux machine. (Because they're better.)

[@openmarkand]

Thanks for your high end advice! Tell me when Logic Pro X is available and I promise to buy one!

[@arozinos863]

@@openmarkand bruh use davinci resolve, 10x better

[@djeylampe]

You compare very different software here my dude. Logic is a daw and davinci is mainly video. That said you can still get Ableton, bigwig, studio one, cubase, pro tools, reaper etc…

[@arozinos863]

@@djeylampe Bruh, I confused Logic with FinalCut somehow. but yes, I know what a DAW is. I prefer FL studio, though, which sadly isn't officially available on linux.

[@frapooch]

I did this on a PC simply I prefer external OS drive... (a.k.a. Windows To Go)