Install macOS Sonoma On External SSD Drive: The Fast Way [How To]

How To Install macOS Sonoma On External SSD Drive: The Fast Way using your Apple Silicon Mac and MacBook M1 and M2 Series computers. I’ll run through what’s needed along, the steps to follow with some helpful tips.
Easy to follow video tutorial on how to install macOS Sonoma using your Apple Silicon M1 or M2 Series Macs on an external Thunderbolt 4 SSD drive the fast way.
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🎬 Video Timestamps:
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00:00 - Let's Get Started
00:01 - WHAT YOU'LL NEED
00:04 - 1. Running One Of The Following macOS
00:09 - 2. An External Thunderbolt 4 SSD Drive
00:28 - 3. The Latest macOS Sonoma 14.1 & Later
00:34 - Installing macOS Sonoma on Ext. Drive
01:41 - OPTIONAL: Change Default Startup Drive
02:12 - Default Startup Drive
02:23 - How To Startup Mac from Ext. SSD Drive
02:56 - Please Do Me A Solid & SUBSCRIBE
🎬 How To Add Extra 2TB SSD Storage to Your Apple Silicon Mac: • How To Add Extra 2TB S...
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🧰 Parts For Building A Fast Thunderbolt 4 NVMe M.2 2TB SSD External Enclosure:
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🛒 Buy Direct From Acasis:
* Acasis TBU405: bit.ly/3LidhSa
[Note: TBU405 annual bottom price, use code(TBU405-10)to get another $10 off.]
OR From:
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* Acasis TBU405: amzn.to/3ErFKB2
* Lexar NM800 Pro 2TB NVMe M.2 2280 SSD: amzn.to/3ZeYnSj
* Gelid (mm)20x120 Thermal Pad: amzn.to/3Lfd7ee
You Might Also Be Interested in the Following Episode:
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🎬 Create a Bootable Installer for macOS Sonoma: • Create a Bootable Inst...
🎬 How To Factory Reset Your Apple Silicon Mac in 3 minutes 2022: • How To Factory Reset Y...
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[@macStudioA]

Hi guys! Thanks for tuning in for another macStudioA episode 🤗 I hope you enjoy this video and if it adds some value I’d love to hear from you in the comments. PLEASE NOTE ✋🏽: macOS Sonoma version 14.0 installs correctly on the External SSD, but does not work if you’re going to change the Default Startup Drive option as shown near the end of this video. (Better to use macOS Sonoma 14.1 or later versions for better experience).

[@diego_wendt]

In this casr, where does the system write the swap data? Internal or external?

[@axxel71]

hi, first thank you for this video I have been searching for this for ages. I have followed the steps using a 13" M1 MacBook Air and I am now at the boot menu where my internal and WD Green 1TB. When finish installation restart once then when restart twice restart with the internal drive. then i go to option restart when I select continue for the USB drive it does the spinning animation for a few seconds then just sits there, never tries to boot. I am trying to make a Sonoma external drive from a mac on Sonoma. when i select in the system setting i tray to select the external drive an put this "The version of macOS on the selected disk needs to be reinstalled". Please help me

[@bans8196]

Thank you for the informative tutorial as there is not much out there on doing this. I'd like to know how the performance is when using the external thunderbolt ssd as a boot drive especially if using apps like final cut pro or logic? Does everything run off the external drive including cache, etc. or is the internal ssd used for anything? (I would like to think that I could save the life of the internal ssd by not using it all the time). I'm considering trying this with a Macbook pro 14 having m1 max. Any further suggestions or comments on your experience would be appreciated, expecially thoughts on potential damage to the system in doing this (if applicable).

[@macStudioA]

You’re most welcome @bans8196. The main reason to get Thunderbolt 4 external SSD enclosure was for use with Final Cut Pro and it does not disappoint. Been using for months now with all projects for FCP & Apple Motion running off the external Thunderbolt 4 ssd enclosure without any issues. If you watch the entire video, the Blackmagic stress test screenshots results obtained, shows some impressive results. The only way to find out is to build one and see or test for yourself, personally I was impressed with my results using it with a Mac Studio M1 Max. Just remember to be patient and buy parts separately (took me about 3 months to get all parts at good price) when there’s a good deal on. Hope that helps.

[@Ryan-co6ze]

i installed os on external ssd but it doesn not work on macbook pro 2020 m1 does not start by any method. what to do? even i changed the security setting but it doesnt work .

[@HolloVVpoint]

What are the speeds like when booting from the external OS? For example if I were to change the default to boot from the external.

[@macStudioA]

Hi @HolloVVpoint, view reply I gave to @bans8196 in the comments. Hope that helps ✌️

[@facivsbigal]

I have a 'iMac Pro (2017) 3.2 GHz 8-Core Intel Xeon W', so this won't work for me if Apple silicone is required, is that right?

[@macStudioA]

Not really, it based on Thunderbolt 4, I believe the iMac Pro has Thunderbolt 3, since I don’t have a system using Thunderbolt 3, I cannot test the bandwidth when connected to an external SSD drive. Therefore there’s no reason why it would not work on your system. Hope that helps.

[@AngelMio-wr2qd]

Off topic question.... I am interested in your MacStudioA icon... the little running man... where did you get it?

[@macStudioA]

I designed it.

[@AngelMio-wr2qd]

@@macStudioA Thanks! I love it!

[@jonasko]

Thanks you for your sharing. Can you update the external macOS ?

[@macStudioA]

You’re welcome. Yes you should be able to upgrade, but with the current issues surrounding macOS 14.4 concerning USB connections, I’ll hold off until Apple issues an update for a stable version. Hope that helps

[@jonasko]

@@macStudioA I got it , I’m just curious I can’t upgrade macOS from 14.3.1 to 14.4 , it rebooted several times but nothing happened 😅 Maybe we need to wait 14.4.1 haha

[@macStudioA]

@jonasko Yeah, that’s what I’m waiting for ✌️

[@The_Ballo]

I've held off updating from Ventura on my M2 due to so many bugs reported especially critical stuff I use like Parallels and Xcode. I'm tempted to clone my drive to an external then update the external to give it a thorough test. Apple's continued locking down of the platform gives me chills, though. I especially don't like the fact that they moved the firmware to the built-in SSD. If the internal drive fails, external drives will no longer save you.

[@macStudioA]

@The_Ballo I share your sentiments totally. Personally, the biggest problems I have is, when Apple updates macOS versions, another bugs/issues/problems evolves. Case and point, holding off updating macOS 13.3.1 to 13.4.1 because of USB connection problems in 13.4, waiting for 13.5, so that I can install on external SSD. It’s impossible for me to produce/create reliable content for my viewers consistently, because forever waiting for a reliable versions to be released so that viewers like yourself can rely on. For this I apologize for all the issues you’re having.

[@alanjackson2540]

Is it possible to attach a separate dedicated line to the OS on the external SSD? Thanks.

[@macStudioA]

Don’t quite understand your question, what do you mean separate line?

[@alanjackson2540]

a dedicated internet line so traffic from the ssd OS will not be shared with original isp@@macStudioA

[@alanjackson2540]

I want to put Mac OS on an external SSD for portability between locations. I would also be using the SSD for a number of selling accounts such as eBay and Spotify, but I don't want these accounts to recognise my old ISP as it could flag up my previous account history. So can I attach a dedicated line to the Mac OS on the SSD? Thanks.@@macStudioA

[@alangeorgebarstow]

I am using Sonoma on my Mac Mini 2 but I cannot see any reference to Sonoma in my Applications folder.

[@macStudioA]

When downloading the latest copy of macOS Sonoma from the Mac App store, it’s downloaded to the Applications folder unless a previous copy exists somewhere else on your drive. Hope that helps.

[@philipturner9087]

How to get a copy of macOS Sonoma

[@macStudioA]

Download from Mac App Store

[@user-gx1sv7no8s]

"Select the 'Show all disks" button": I didn't see any such button either on my own screen or the screen in the video.

[@macStudioA]

For some reason, when I did the install, it showed up once and when repeated the install it did not show up. So added Show all disk for those of you that gets that message.

[@Ryan-co6ze]

i installed os sonoma on external ssd but it doesn not work on macbook pro 2020 m1 does not start by any method. what to do? even i changed the security setting but it doesnt work .

[@macStudioA]

Sorry to hear that @RIAZAHMEDMEMON-co6ze. Have you tried unplugging Acasis TBU405 enclosure from MacBook and does it startup? Did it ever work or at what point did it stop working, and what macOS Sonoma are you using.

[@Ryan-co6ze]

@@macStudioA hi there , thanks for the help, I tried but it doesn't work .

[@macStudioA]

Hi @RIAZAHMEDMEMON-co6ze, I had so much wanted it to work out for you. Hope the next version of macOS Sonoma 14.2 improves, could be a glitch, I’ll test it when it’s officially out, soon i hope. So don’t give up, there’s hope still.

[@Ryan-co6ze]

appreciated@@macStudioA