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Looking to create a bootable USB for your Mac? In order to install, reinstall or upgrade your macOS, you will need to create a bootable USB device. Bootable USBs are also useful for troubleshooting problems with your Mac or as a backup for your system.
Creating a bootable USB can be quite daunting, but there are numerous options available to create a bootable USB for your Mac. In this blog, we’ll be highlighting the top seven macOS bootable USB creator software.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Bootable USB?
A bootable USB is a USB flash drive that has been formatted and prepared to boot into a specific operating system. It contains all the necessary files required to start up your Mac in the event of a software issue. A bootable USB can be used to install, reinstall or upgrade your macOS operating system. It can also be used for troubleshooting purposes, as a clone of your system, or as a backup of your system.
Introducing the Top Seven macOS Bootable USB Creator Software
1. Disk Creator
Disk Creator is a popular macOS bootable USB creator that is easy to use, lightweight and free. It has a simple interface and can be used to create a bootable USB for macOS High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan and Yosemite. All you need is a USB drive with a minimum of 8GB of space and the macOS installer downloaded onto your Mac.
Pros:
- Free
- Easy to use
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Can only create bootable USB for macOS High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan and Yosemite
2. DiskMaker X
DiskMaker X is a popular macOS bootable USB creator that is easy to use and free. It enables you to create a bootable USB for macOS Mojave, High Sierra, Sierra, El Capitan and Yosemite. Simply download the macOS installer from the App Store and select the USB drive you wish to create a bootable USB with.
Pros:
- Free
- Easy to use
- Supports multiple macOS versions
Cons:
- May not be compatible with older macOS versions
- May not work on newer Macs with the T2 security chip
3. UNetbootin
UNetbootin is a popular macOS bootable USB creator that is free and open source. It enables you to create a bootable USB for macOS as well as other operating systems, such as Linux and Windows. Simply select the distribution you wish to use, the USB drive you wish to create a bootable USB with, and click ‘OK’.
Pros:
- Free and open source
- Supports multiple operating systems
Cons:
- May not work with older Macs
- May not support newer macOS versions
4. Etcher
Etcher is a popular cross-platform bootable USB creator that is free and open source. It enables you to create a bootable USB for macOS, Linux and Windows. Simply select the image you wish to flash, the USB drive you wish to create a bootable USB with, and click ‘Flash’.
Pros:
- Free and open source
- Supports multiple operating systems
- Easy to use
Cons:
- May not work with older Macs
- No support for creating multiple partitions
5. TransMac
TransMac is a popular macOS bootable USB creator for Windows that is easy to use and affordable. It enables you to create a bootable USB for macOS and restore DMG images to drives. Simply select the USB drive you wish to use, and the macOS DMG file you wish to use to create a bootable USB.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Cons:
- Only available for Windows
- Only supports macOS
6. Mac Linux USB Loader
Mac Linux USB Loader is a popular macOS bootable USB creator that is free and open source. It enables you to create a bootable USB for installing Linux on a Mac. Simply select the distribution you wish to use, the USB drive you wish to create a bootable USB with, and click ‘Create Live USB’.
Pros:
- Free and open source
- Supports multiple Linux distributions
- Supports creating multiple partitions
Cons:
- Only supports Linux distributions
7. Boot Buddy
Boot Buddy is a popular macOS bootable USB creator that is free and easy to use. It enables you to create a bootable USB for macOS Sierra and High Sierra. Simply select the macOS installer file you wish to use, and the USB drive you wish to use to create a bootable USB.
Pros:
- Free
- Easy to use
Cons:
- May not work on newer Macs with the T2 security chip
- May not support newer macOS versions
Our Thoughts
Creating a bootable USB for your Mac is an essential task, and there are numerous options available to create one. Whether you’re looking for a free option or an easy-to-use option, there’s a bootable USB creator for everyone.
For those looking for a free option, Disk Creator and DiskMaker X are great choices. For those looking for a cross-platform tool, Etcher is a great choice. For those looking for a Windows-based tool, TransMac is a great choice.
Ultimately, the choice of which macOS bootable USB creator to use will depend on your needs and your level of expertise.
FAQ’s About macOS Bootable USB
Q: Why should I use a bootable USB?
A: A bootable USB is useful for installing, reinstalling or upgrading the macOS operating system. It can also be used for troubleshooting purposes or as a backup of your system.
Q: How much space do I need on my USB drive?
A: You will need a minimum of 8GB of space on your USB drive.
Q: Can I create a bootable USB for multiple macOS versions?
A: Not all bootable USB creators support multiple macOS versions. However, DiskMaker X and UNetbootin both support multiple macOS versions.
Q: Can I use a bootable USB to install macOS on multiple Macs?
A: Yes, you can use a bootable USB to install macOS on multiple Macs.
Q: Can I use a bootable USB to troubleshoot problems with my Mac?
A: Yes, you can use a bootable USB to troubleshoot problems with your Mac.
In Conclusion
Creating a bootable USB for macOS is a relatively simple task, but it can be overwhelming for those who are new to the process. The Mac bootable USB creators we’ve highlighted in this blog post offer a range of features and benefits, from being easy to use to supporting multiple macOS versions.
Ultimately, the choice of which macOS bootable USB creator to use will depend on your needs and your level of expertise. We hope this blog post has helped you identify the best option for your needs.