How to Create a Bootable macOS USB Installer (2025 Guide: Sonoma & Ventura)

Your Mac is acting up. A clean install is the nuclear option.

But you don’t want to download 15 GB over a slow internet connection during the process.

There’s a better way: the bootable USB installer.

This isn’t just for techs. It’s for anyone who wants to:

• Perform a clean install of macOS.
• Upgrade multiple Macs without re-downloading the installer for each one.
• Have a recovery lifeline if your Mac can’t boot or has internet issues.

Apple hides this tool in plain sight: the Terminal. And the command hasn’t changed in years. This guide will work for Sonoma today and likely for the next macOS version tomorrow.

Let’s build your recovery drive.

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What You’ll Need

1. A USB Drive: 16GB or larger. Everything on it will be erased.
2. A Mac: To create the installer.
3. A Stable Internet Connection: To download the macOS installer app (~12-15 GB).

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Step 1: Download the macOS Installer

This is the most common stumbling block. You need the full Install macOS [Name].app, not just the software update.

1. Open the App Store on your Mac.
2. Search for the macOS version you want (e.g., “macOS Sonoma” or “macOS Ventura“).
3. Click the Download button.
   • Can’t find it? Try Apple’s support page for older macOS versions which provides direct App Store links.
4. The installer will open after downloading. Quit it immediately. The app is now in your Applications folder.

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Step 2: Format Your USB Drive

Warning: This will erase all data on the drive. Double-check you’ve selected the correct disk.

1. Plug your USB drive into your Mac.
2. Open Disk Utility (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility).
3. In the top menu bar, go to View > Show All Devices.
4. Select the USB drive itself (not the volume indented underneath it) from the left sidebar.
5. Click the Erase button.
6. Configure the settings:
   • Name: MyVolume (This is critical! The command expects this exact name.)
   • Format: APFS or Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
   • Scheme: GUID Partition Map
7. Click Erase, then click Done when finished.

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Step 3: The Terminal Command (The Magic Step)

This is the moment of truth. The command structure is always the same; you just need the correct path to the installer app.

1. Open Terminal (Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal).
2. Copy and paste the correct command for your macOS version into Terminal. But DO NOT press Enter yet.

Command for macOS Sonoma:

bash

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sonoma.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

Command for macOS Ventura:

bash

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Ventura.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

(For older versions, just replace “Sonoma” with “Monterey,” “Big Sur,” etc.)

3. Press Enter.
4. Terminal will ask for your password (you won’t see characters as you type). Type it and press Enter.
5. You’ll see a confirmation that the volume will be erased. Type y for yes and press Enter.

Now, wait. The process can take 15-30 minutes. You’ll see terminal output like Erasing disk..., Copying to disk..., and finally Done. when it’s complete.

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Step 4: How to Use Your Bootable Installer

1. Plug the USB installer into the Mac you want to install macOS on.
2. Shut down the Mac.
3. Turn on the Mac and immediately press and hold the Option (⌥) key on your keyboard.
4. You’ll see the Startup Manager. Select the yellow icon labeled “Install macOS [Name]”.
5. Click the up arrow or press Return to boot from it.
6. You can now use Disk Utility from this menu to erase your main drive (for a clean install) or just proceed with installing macOS over your existing system.

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Troubleshooting Common Errors

• “Command not found” or “No such file or directory”:
  • Did you quit the installer app after it downloaded? It must be in your /Applications folder.
  • Did you get the name exactly right? Check the app’s name in your Applications folder. The backslashes \ are essential to escape the spaces in the name.
• The process seems stuck: It takes a long time. Be patient. As long as the terminal isn’t showing an error message, it’s probably working.
• Startup Manager doesn’t show the drive:
  • Recreate the installer. You likely formatted the drive incorrectly or the createinstallmedia command failed silently.
  • Try a different USB port (preferably a USB-A port directly on the Mac, not a hub).

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Conclusion: Your Digital Swiss Army Knife

That’s it. You’ve just created one of the most powerful troubleshooting tools in the macOS arsenal.

Bookmark this page. You’ll need it again for the next major macOS release. The steps will be identical—only the name in the command will change.

Now you’re prepared for anything: a failed upgrade, a corrupted drive, or the desire for a truly fresh start.

Need to wipe your Mac completely before installation? Our guide on [securely erasing your Mac’s SSD] explains your options for a true clean slate.

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FAQ Section

Q: Can I use the same bootable installer for different Mac models?
A: Generally, yes, but with a caveat. The installer contains a universal version of macOS, but it will only allow installation on Mac models that are compatible with that specific macOS version. For example, a macOS Sonoma installer will not work on a Mac that is too old to support Sonoma. The installer will check the model during the setup process and prevent installation on an incompatible machine.

Q: Why use Terminal instead of a GUI app like Disk Utility?
A: Using the official createinstallmedia command in Terminal is Apple’s intended and supported method. It guarantees the installer is created correctly and boots reliably. While third-party GUI tools exist, they are often just wrappers around this same command. Using Terminal gives you direct control, avoids extra software downloads, and is a universally available method that won’t change.**

Q: Do I need a different USB drive for each version of macOS?
A: No, you can reuse the same physical USB drive. The createinstallmedia command will completely erase the drive each time you run it. You can overwrite a macOS Ventura installer with a macOS Sonoma installer on the same drive by simply repeating the formatting and Terminal command process.

Q: What does the createinstallmedia command actually do?
A: The command performs several key tasks: It first erases the target volume you specify. It then copies the entire contents of the Install macOS [Name].app bundle to the drive. Finally, it makes the volume bootable by setting up the necessary boot files and partitions so that a Mac’s firmware recognizes it as a valid startup disk. It’s more than a simple file copy.**