How to install macOS from USB

Having a backup of your macOS is a great way to be proactive in case you have problems with your Mac. By having a backup of the operating system, you can easily restore your Mac’s operating system or install it on several different devices . Taking the time now to create a bootable installer can save you a lot of headaches if you need one in the future.

In this article, we will cover how to install macOS from USB using various methods.

Install macOS from USB in recovery mode

If you are having problems with your Mac, one solution is to reinstall macOS using a bootable USB. Using this method can save you the headaches of trying to diagnose the problem. This method is simple. This is how you do it:

1. Shut down your Mac.
   
2. Plug in the bootable USB.
   
3. Start your Mac and hold down the “Option/Alt” key to put it in recovery mode.
   
4. When your Mac displays Startup Manager, click the external USB drive you connected.
   
5. Select “Install macOS” and press “Continue.”
6. The operating system will be installed from your bootable USB.
7. Once the process is finished, your Mac will restart automatically.

Install macOS from USB Disk Utility

Another way to install macOS from a USB is to use the Disk Utility method. Please note that using this method will erase everything currently on your Mac’s hard drive. If you are having trouble booting your Mac correctly, this should resolve the issue. Here’s what you’ll need to do:

1. Shut down your Mac.
   
2. Insert your bootable USB.
   
3. Hold down the “Option” key and restart your Mac.
   
4. After it reboots, select the USB and choose “Disk Utility.”
   
5. Tap your Mac’s main hard drive, click “First Aid,” and then “Erase.”
   
   
6. In the pop-up window, for “Format”, select “OS X Extended (Journaled)” and press “Erase”. This will erase your main drive.
   
7. Once completed, close the Disk Utility window and choose “Install OS X.”
8. Select your main drive to install macOS from your USB.
9. Once the process is complete, your Mac will reboot and your new operating system will be operational.

Install macOS from USB without Internet

Installing macOS with a bootable USB does not require an Internet connection. However, you will need to create the backup first. Having a USB that you can boot and reinstall your macOS from is well worth the time it takes to create one. If you’re having trouble with your Mac, this handy device can save you a lot of time. You will first need to download an app and have a USB drive with a minimum of 8 GB of space. To create one, follow the instructions below:

1. Discharge record creator to your Mac. Choose which version of the operating system you want to use.
   
2. Download the macOS you want for your bootable USB and save it to your Applications folder.
   
3. Launch the Disk Maker installer and copy the app to your Applications folder.
4. Disk Maker will detect the downloaded operating system. Click “Use this copy.”
   
5. Plug in your USB drive. In the pop-up window, select “8GB USB Drive”.
   
6. You’ll see a list of all the drives on your Mac. Choose the one you’d like to use as your macOS USB installer.
   
7. Tap “Erase and Create macOS USB Drive.”
   
8. The creation process could take some time. Once the process is complete, unmount the USB.
   
9. Store the USB drive in a safe place. You’ll need it if you ever have to reinstall your macOS.

Additional FAQs

I don’t have a bootable USB drive. Is there anything else I can do to reinstall my macOS?

Yes. Fortunately, you have a few other options for reinstalling your operating system. Your Mac has a built-in recovery system that you can use. Here are your options:

1. Shut down your computer.

2. Hold down “Command + Option + Alt + R” and press the power button.

3. You will see the words “Starting Internet Recovery”.

4. A progress bar will appear on the screen. Wait for all processes to complete.

5. Your Mac will restart automatically.

I can’t get my Mac to boot into recovery mode. That I have to do?

Sometimes your Mac can give you problems when trying to boot into recovery mode. Your recovery partition could be corrupted or the startup volume has been erased. If you encounter this problem, try this:

1. Restart your computer.

2. Go to “Applications” and then “Utilities.”

3. Locate and launch the “Terminal” application.

4. Type “diskutil list”. Press the Enter key.

5. You will see a list of all the drives and partitions on your Mac.

If you don’t see “Apple_Boot Recovery HD” or “APFS Volume Recovery,” then your Mac does not have the proper recovery partition. You may be able to restore this by following the steps below:

1. Restart your computer while holding down the “Command + Option + P + R” keys.

2. Release them after hearing the second ring.

3. Your Mac will restart automatically.

4. Navigate to “Applications” and then “Utilities.”

5. Type “diskutil list” and press Enter.

6. Check if you now have “APFS Volume Recovery” or “Apple_Boot Recovery HD”.

If you now have them, you should be able to boot your Mac into recovery mode.

Can I restore my Mac from a backup?

If you’re having problems with your macOS, sometimes it’s a good idea to try restoring it to an earlier time. You may have downloaded an app or add-on that caused a problem, so restoring your Mac to a previous state could resolve the problem. Periodically creating a restore point is a great way to be proactive and protect yourself from larger problems that may arise. Here’s how to do it:

1. Turn on your computer and hold down the “Command + R” keys.

2. Press and hold them until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

3. The Utilities window will open. Select “Restore from Time Backup” and click “Continue.”

4. Tap “Continue” again.

5. Choose a backup date before you started having problems and press “Continue.”

Install macOS from a USB drive solved

It’s a good idea to have a bootable USB drive if you ever have problems with your Mac’s operating system. Having an alternative way to start your Mac can save you the trouble of trying to diagnose problems. To reinstall macOS, you don’t need to be connected to the Internet and you can do it in Recovery Mode or using Disk Utility.