How to Create a Bootable macOS Drive Using Disk Utility and Terminal

Last Updated on April 12, 2023 by Freddy Reyes

1- You will need to run the Disk Utility and erase the USB Fash Drive using MacOS Journaled.

2- Download macOS from the Mac AppStore into a local directory:

E.g. /Users/username/Downloads

3- Go to Accessories and run “Terminal” and then execute the following command:

E.g. for macOS Big Sur:

sudo /Users/username/Downloads/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur -- /Users/username/Downloads/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur.app

4- After several minutes your USB Fash Drive should have a bootable macOS drive.