Step-by-Step Guide- How to Install an Operating System on a Mac Using a USB Drive

How to Install OS from USB on Mac

Installing an operating system on a Mac from a USB drive can be a convenient and efficient way to set up a new system or perform a clean install. Whether you’re upgrading to a newer version of macOS or transferring your OS to a new Mac, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.

1. Gather the Necessary Materials

Before you begin, ensure you have the following items ready:

– A USB drive with at least 8GB of storage space (16GB or more is recommended for larger operating system files).
– The macOS installer file, which you can download from the Apple website.
– A Mac with a compatible processor (Intel or Apple Silicon M1, M2, etc.).

2. Format the USB Drive

The first step is to format the USB drive to ensure it is compatible with macOS. Connect the USB drive to your Mac and follow these steps:

1. Open Disk Utility from the Applications > Utilities folder.
2. Select the USB drive from the list of devices on the left side.
3. Click the “Erase” button.
4. Choose “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” as the format and “APFS (Encrypted)” as the scheme.
5. Click “Erase” to confirm the format.

3. Create a Bootable Installer

Now that your USB drive is formatted, you need to create a bootable installer. Follow these steps:

1. Open the macOS installer file you downloaded from the Apple website.
2. Click “Continue” and agree to the terms and conditions.
3. Select the USB drive from the list of destinations.
4. Click “Install” and wait for the process to complete.

4. Boot from the USB Drive

Once the installer is ready, you need to boot your Mac from the USB drive. Here’s how to do it:

1. Restart your Mac and immediately press and hold the “Option” (or “Alt”) key.
2. Choose the USB drive from the list of startup disks.
3. Press “Enter” to boot from the USB drive.

5. Install macOS

After booting from the USB drive, you’ll be prompted to install macOS. Follow these steps:

1. Select the language and click “Continue.”
2. Click “Agree” to the terms and conditions.
3. Choose your installation location and click “Continue.”
4. Click “Install” and wait for the installation process to complete.

6. Set Up Your New macOS

Once the installation is complete, your Mac will restart. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your new macOS installation. This includes creating a user account, setting up your preferences, and installing any necessary updates.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed macOS from a USB drive on your Mac. This process can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as upgrading your system, transferring your OS to a new Mac, or creating a backup.