Making the bootable USB drive. In order to make bootable USB of macOS high Sierra, you will need an 8gb or higher USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 drive. Note: By using USB 3.0 you might face some issues while booting into the installer, in that case, please try using USB 2.0 drive. Mar 30, 2020 A broken Mac computer with Mac OS X or macOS (version 10.12 or later). A trial copy of the TransMac software. One high quality USB flash drive with 16GB of storage. A copy of Apple’s macOS (DMG file). How to make a macOS bootable USB installation media. To create a bootable USB drive with macOS, use these steps. Create a bootable USB drive for macOS X versions including El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, Sierra, High Sierra, and Mojave.
Upgrading to the latest Mac operating system released at the Apple keynote this September can be everything you envisioned and more. If you take the time to upgrade it properly, that is. How? By performing a clean install of the macOS High Sierra.
Don’t worry, a clean install is as easy as it gets and we’ve prepared a comprehensive guide to have you upgraded and performing at maximum, in no time. But first, let’s find out why the new operating system brings to the table in terms of new, exciting features. Afterwards, we’re going to give you a complete clean install guide which you’re actually going to enjoy!
Why you should upgrade to High Sierra
MacOS High Sierra’s features are a series of elegant refinements that will improve performance and user experience, while also paving the way towards virtual and augmented reality. Here are the best upgrades:
- Safari gets faster and smarter, offering multiple customization options for users
- The file system is now more secure, with built-in encryption and crash-safe protection
- Videos look more amazing than ever, while taking with 40% less space in storage
- The Photos app brings improved professional editing tools and new synchronization options
- Metal 2 leverages more power with state-of-the-art development tools, robust graphics and an external GPU
- Siri sounds more human and even has a new talent and hobby as a DJ
Are you ready to get beta version of macOS High Sierra?
Of course, these are just a few of features macOS High Sierra brings to the table. Once you’re convinced that macOS High Sierra is the system of your dreams, go straight to the clean install!
LEARN MORE: macOS High Sierra 10.13 - The New Features That Matter
Why opt to clean install macOS High Sierra
A clean install of macOS High Sierra will ensure the maximum performance for your Mac. The reason is pretty straight forward: by formatting your Mac drive you will eliminate all the issues accumulated over time and have a clean slate to start again.
By opting for a clean install, you will regain valuable disk space and get rid of the useless files and junk apps that were causing a slow Mac. Thus, you will both be able to enjoy all the great features of macOS 10.13 at their best and experience a faster Mac experience, reaching the top performance it should.
How to prepare your Mac for the clean install
Check macOS 10.13 High Sierra compatibility
Before you can enjoy all the new goodies from macOS High Sierra, you must answer the question: can your Mac run macOS High Sierra? Nervous? Don’t be, as the specs look quite promising. How promising? Well, you’ll be able to upgrade to High Sierra even if you own a Mac as old as 2009. Sure, the hardware might cause you some slight drawbacks and refuse to run all the features, but overall you should be able to enjoy the big refinements. Things look even brighter when it comes to newer version of Macs, which should support the new operating system without any problem whatsoever.
LEARN MORE: Find out if your Mac can run masOS High Sierra.
Go for a system cleanup and fast backup
The first step towards a clean install, is a drive format. But act with caution! Before you do anything drastic, make sure you cleanup and backup your Mac to keep your important files.
Create A Bootable Usb Drive For Mac Os High Sierra
Start with a system clean-up. Okay, that’s actually an euphemism for: delete everything you don’t need, throw away any duplicates and erase all the useless data.
Don’t know how to do that exactly? Check out How to clean up your Mac for a detailed and easy way to perform a thorough cleaning.
There are going to be some important files you will want to keep. Be it files, documents, photos, movies or other apps, you’ll want to create a backup for them. Where? That’s up to you. You can choose either iCloud or any external storage device with enough space.
Now it’s time to wipe your Mac clean. But you did perform a Mac backup, right? Good! Then you can format the drive! Here’s how:
Go to Applications > Utilities and click on Disk Utility. From here, select the drive and hit Erase, as you select Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the format type.
Before you start new life with the new macOS, get equipped with a couple of backup and maintenance tools. They will save you should something goes wrong. The good solutions are Get Backup Pro or Disk Drill.
And the last thing before we start. A new OS needs a fresh Mac, so trim down the fat on your system. Use an app like CleanMyMac X to remove all system junk, large hidden files, and old apps' leftovers.
And the last thing before we start. A new OS needs a fresh Mac, so trim down the fat on your system. Use an app like CleanMyMac X to remove all system junk, large hidden files, and old apps' leftovers.
A step by step guide to clean install macOS High Sierra
1. How to download macOS High Sierra
The new macOS High Sierra has long been available for the developers only, but now is public and available in Mac App Store.
Here is the link to download it directly: macappstores://itunes.apple.com/app/id1246284741
Make sure you download the macOS High Sierra Installer to the /Applications folder and leave its default name.
2. Create a macOS High Sierra Bootable USB Drive
A clean install wouldn’t be possible without creating a macOS High Sierra Bootable USB drive. So let’s go ahead and create one! Find an 8 GB USB stick and make sure it is formatted as GUID Partition Map and Mac OS Extended (Journaled). To check if it is, launch the Disk Utility application. It’s from here that you’ll also be able to make the needed changes, if the case.
Once you’ve done this, plug in the USB into your Mac and launch Terminal. There are 2 options for doing this: you either go to Launchpad or you can choose the Spotlight search. Next, write the following command, letter by letter:
sudo /Applications/Install macOS High Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --applicationpath /Applications/Install macOS High Sierra.app --nointeraction
Ready? Great! Hit return, enter your admin password when prompted and them simply go along with the instructions to complete the process. In about 15 to 30 minutes you’ll have your bootable USB and you’ll be one step closer to macOS High Sierra’s world of new features.
Make A Bootable Usb For Mac Os High Sierra Mac
3. Clean Install macOS High Sierra from USB Bootable Drive
You’ve got this far. Now, it’s time to actually hit the install button and leverage all the steps you’ve completed. Take your bootable USB and connect it to your Mac. To continue, restart your Mac while pressing the Option Key.
This will open the Startup Manager from where you’ll be able to start the clean install. Proceed by erasing your hard drive from Disk Utility. Once you’ve deleted this, go back to the main menu and hit install. The steps will be prompted to you on screen, and you’ll easily be able to complete the installation. Voila! Now enjoy macOS High Sierra!
There you have it! A step by step guide to clean install macOS High Sierra Bea and be among the first ones who get to explore the new exciting features. Do let us know what you think!
These might also interest you:
If you are planning to install macOS Catalina, there is one additional set of steps you should follow. You should download a bootable copy of macOS Mojave. This is the only way to downgrade if you decide you're not ready for macOS Catalina.
Before you start
Before you get started, make sure you have a thumb drive with at least 15GB of storage, or a spare external hard drive (one that you don't use with anything else).
You'll also need to download macOS Mojave from the Mac App Store.
Note: After macOS Mojave has downloaded, it will automatically begin the installation process. Close the installer instead.
Please, Please, Please, backup your Mac before you do anything.
How to format your external drive for Mac
You'll need to start with a clean thumb drive or hard drive in order to get it ready to work as a bootable drive.
- Plug the USB end of the drive to a USB port on your Mac.
- Click on Finder in your Dock to open a Finder window.
- Select Applications from the list on the left side of the window.
- Scroll down and double-click on Utilities.
- Scroll down and double-click on Disk Utility.
- Select your drive under External.
- Click on the Erase tab at the top of the window.
- Note the name of your external hard drive (probably 'Untitled') because you will need it when you create a bootable drive. If you have more than one external hard drive named 'Untitled,' you will need to rename your hard drive now.
- If your Mac is using HFS+, select Mac OS Extended (Journaled) from the format list. If your Mac is using APFS, select APFS from the format list.
- If Scheme is available, select GUID Partition Map.
- Click Erase.
- Click Done when the process is complete.
- Close the Disk Utility window.
Your thumb drive or external hard drive is now ready.
How to make your external drive bootable for installing macOS Mojave
Important:You will need to be in your Mac's administrator account in order to run the sudo Terminal command.
- Click on Finder in your Dock to open a Finder window.
- Select Applications from the list on the left side of the window.
- Scroll down and double-click on Utilities.
- Scroll down and double click on Terminal.
- Recall the name of your formatted external drivewhen entering the following text into Terminal. If it is not named 'Untitled,' you will need to change the command syntax for the pathname where it says: Volumes/Untitled. The name of the drive can't have any spaces and it is case sensitive.
- Enter the following text into Terminal (Don't forget to change the name 'Untitled' if your hard drive is named something else):sudo /Applications/Install macOS Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled
- Hit the enter/return key.
- Enter your administrator account password. This is the password you use to make changes on your Mac or log in. No text will appear in Terminal when you enter the password.
- Type Y to confirm that you want to erase the drive and press return.
The process could take a very long time, depending on the drive. When it is done, the Terminal window will report 'Done.'
How to use macOS Mojave as an installer boot drive
Once macOS Mojave is installed on your external drive, you can boot up and install any Mac with the drive plugged into it.
- Turn off the Mac you want to install macOS Mojave with the bootable drive.
- Connect the external drive to your Mac via the USB port.
- Turn on your Mac.
- Hold down the Option key when you hear the startup chime.
- Select the external drive with macOS Mojave on it from the list of systems to start up your computer.
The installation process will begin. Follow the steps to install macOS Mojave onto your Mac or partitioned hard drive.
Do you have any questions about how to create a bootable installer drive for macOS Mojave? Let us know in the comments.
Updated September 2019: Updated for macOS Catalina.
macOS Catalina
Main
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
![Make a bootable usb for mac os high sierra download Make a bootable usb for mac os high sierra download](/uploads/1/3/3/9/133935808/893157853.jpg)
Apple's new 'Behind the Mac' vid shows James Blake making music at home
Apple's latest 'Behind the Mac' video shows James Blake making music even though he's been stuck in his home studio because of 2020.