How to boot a Mac from USB drive?

Booting a Mac from a USB drive is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you do it:

Prepare the USB Drive: First, make sure your USB drive is properly formatted. It needs to be in the macOS Extended (Journaled) or APFS format. You can format the drive using Disk Utility on your Mac.
Create a Bootable USB Drive: You’ll need to create a bootable USB drive with the macOS installer or the operating system you want to install. You can do this using the Terminal application. Here’s how you can create a bootable USB drive for macOS:
- Download the macOS installer from the Mac App Store.
- Insert your USB drive into your Mac.
- Open Terminal (you can find it in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder).
- Use the createinstallmedia command to create a bootable installer. The basic command looks like this:sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [macOS Name].app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/[USB Drive Name] --nointeraction
- Replace [macOS Name] with the name of your macOS version (for example, “Catalina” or “Big Sur”), and [USB Drive Name] with the name of your USB drive.
- Press Enter and wait for the process to complete. This may take some time.
Restart Your Mac:
- Once the bootable USB drive is created, restart your Mac.
Access Startup Manager:
- As your Mac restarts, hold down the Option key until the Startup Manager appears. This will show you a list of available startup disks.
Select the USB Drive:
- Use the arrow keys to select the USB drive with the macOS installer on it, then press Enter. Your Mac will boot from the USB drive.
Install or Repair macOS:
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS or perform other tasks such as disk repair or data recovery.

Remember that the specific steps might vary slightly depending on your macOS version, but the overall process remains similar. If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, feel free to ask!

More about Mac installation

Certainly! Installing macOS on a Mac computer involves a few steps to ensure a smooth installation process. Here’s a detailed overview of macOS installation:

1. System Requirements:

Before you begin, make sure your Mac meets the minimum system requirements for the macOS version you want to install. Apple’s website or the App Store page for the specific macOS version will provide this information.

2. Backup Your Data:

It’s crucial to back up all your important files before performing a macOS installation. You can use Time Machine or manually copy your data to an external drive to ensure you don’t lose any important files during the process.

3. Download macOS Installer:

If you’re upgrading to a new macOS version, you can download the installer from the Mac App Store. Once downloaded, the installer will typically launch automatically. If not, you can find it in your Applications folder.

4. Begin Installation:

Double-click the macOS installer in the Applications folder to start the installation process.
Follow the on-screen instructions. You’ll be asked to agree to the software license agreement and choose the disk where you want to install macOS.

5. Select Installation Disk:

If you’re performing a clean installation or upgrading your existing macOS, you’ll need to choose the destination disk. You can install macOS on the Mac’s internal drive or any external drive that meets the system requirements.
You can also use Disk Utility during the installation process to format or partition the disk if needed.

6. Installation Progress:

Once you’ve selected the installation disk, click “Install” or “Continue” to begin the installation. Your Mac will restart, and the installation progress will be displayed on the screen.
The installation process might take some time, depending on the speed of your Mac and the version of macOS you’re installing.

7. Set Up macOS:

After the installation is complete, your Mac will restart, and you’ll be guided through the initial setup process. This includes selecting your region, keyboard layout, creating or signing in with your Apple ID, setting up Wi-Fi, and enabling services like Siri and iCloud.

8. Restore Data from Backup:

If you created a backup using Time Machine, you’ll have the option to restore your files, apps, and settings during the initial setup or after logging in. Follow the prompts to restore your data from the backup.

9. Software Updates and App Installation:

After the macOS installation is complete, it’s a good practice to check for software updates. Go to “System Preferences” > “Software Update” to ensure your system is up-to-date.
Reinstall your apps from the Mac App Store or third-party sources. Make sure these apps are compatible with the macOS version you installed.

10. Finalize Settings:

Customize your system preferences, desktop wallpaper, screen saver, and other settings according to your preferences.
Verify that all your hardware components, such as printers and external devices, are working correctly.

And there you have it! You’ve successfully installed macOS on your Mac computer. If you encounter any issues during the installation process or have specific questions, don’t hesitate to ask for further assistance.