How to Create a Bootable OS X Mavericks USB Install Key

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Posted October 24, 2013 at 4:42am by iClarified

These are instructions on how to create a bootable OS X Mavericks USB key.

Step One
Connect a 8GB or larger USB key to your computer then launch the Mac App Store from your dock.

How to Create a Bootable OS X Mavericks USB Install Key

Step Two
Navigate to the OS X Mavericks application page and click the Install button. If you are already on, or have already downloaded Mavericks, you may need to click the Download button.

Step Three
Launch Disk Utility from the Applications:Utilities folder.

Step Four
Select your USB thumb drive from the list on the left and click the Partition tab.

Step Five
Set the Partition Layout to 1 Partition, set the Name to 'Mavericks', and set the Format to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

Step Six
Click the Options button then choose GUID Partition Table from the popup window then click the OK button.

Step Seven
Next click the Apply button to save your changes. When asked to confirm click the Partition button.

Step Eight
Launch Terminal from the Applications:Utilities folder.

Step Nine
Make sure your empty USB key is still inserted. Additionally, make sure you do not have any other volumes named 'Mavericks' except for the one we just created in Step Five.

Execute the following command in the Terminal window to create your OS X Mavericks Install key.

sudo '/Applications/Install OS X Mavericks.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia' --volume '/Volumes/Mavericks' --applicationpath '/Applications/Install OS X Mavericks.app' --nointeraction

You will be asked to enter your Administrative account password.

Step Ten
After about 15 minutes the creation of your USB Install Key for OS X Mavericks will be complete.

Step Eleven
You may now restart your Mac and hold down the Option key after hearing the boot sound. You'll be presented with a list of bootable drives. Select the USB install key.

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Sotheara - June 24, 2014 at 10:51am

i strictly follow your steps, but message interminal appear ( sudo: /Applications/Install OS X Mavericks.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia: command not found) after entered administrator password? what's up sir? look for award to see your reply!

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jack smith - November 12, 2013 at 2:20am

I write concerning the Maverick clean install, I attempted to install Maverick but had a number of issues arise and maybe you could set me in the right direction. I have a new Imac 2013 running the Mountain Lion OS but with very poor Broadband and decided to use a Imac in work to download Mavericks from the App store, the Imac I used has OS 10.6 running and did'nt want to install Mavericks just in case I messed up the files on the machine. Firstly I downloaded Mavericks to the Applications folder it downloaded in about 8 mins. Secondly I placed a 8GB USB stick in the Imac opened disk utility and erased and then formatted the usb . Thirdly I downloaded DiskMaker to create a bootable USB and followed the process to create a bootable disk I then ejected the USB stick with Mavericks on it. 4. Retuning home I followed the process opened the disk utility and erased the Macintosh HD- then shut down the computer inserted the USB with Maverick on it - pressed down the options button and Os X utilities box opened up the Mavericks usb appeared but with "Reinstall OSX Mavericks" icon I chose the USB with Maveicks but can get no further. I have tried to a number of times but it wont work I have also reinstalled Mavericks on the USB just to see if I did something wrong but nothing works. My Home computer when turned on now show's a folder with a question (?) mark flashing. Hopefully you can guide me to restoring my Imac to use. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Jack.

Ayush Grover - November 4, 2013 at 6:24am

Is this way is apple supported and safe and does it harm to OS X Mavericks performance and speed

Lee - October 25, 2013 at 6:05pm

If I create a bootable installer from my personal copy of Mav, will my Apple ID be linked to it for future use too? Meaning, If someone else uses it, will they need my ID and Pass to update it?

nkgneto - October 25, 2013 at 6:07pm

No just like you enter the user id info at setup of the Mac that is when any user would need their own ID to enter that info

Ashby - October 25, 2013 at 7:44am

I do not have a folder /Applications/Install OS X Mavericks.app

briesmurolis - October 25, 2013 at 5:59am

I did it on SD card

Ali - October 25, 2013 at 3:37am

Can I use the USB to install Mac OS X on my HP desktop?

SEQ2 - October 24, 2013 at 3:34pm

You missed out 2 more very important steps. You need to replace the "packages" shortcuts it with the packages folder with contents. If you miss out these steps, you'll end up downloading it again...

AT - October 24, 2013 at 3:18pm

Does this create the recovery partition also if it was deleted previously?

JG24 - October 24, 2013 at 12:38pm

Will this work with a SD card? Can I boot from that?

rak21 - October 24, 2013 at 8:51am

Can I bookmarks article like i was able to do on the old iclarified site and how?

k3ira - October 24, 2013 at 6:47am

lion disk maker doesn't work anymore?

demesne - October 24, 2013 at 12:17pm

works like a charm

k3ira - October 25, 2013 at 1:55pm

that's what i thought

Angel - October 24, 2013 at 6:21am

Will this work for a hack ?

Rick Grimes - October 24, 2013 at 11:46am

Yes, It still works. However, you need to install the new version; DiskMaker X

Jayakumar - October 24, 2013 at 5:57am

Very nice.. Thank you so much...

Tim Murphy - October 24, 2013 at 5:00am

Thank you so much!!! :D You know you named the title "How to Create a Bootable OS X ------MOUNTAIN LION------ USB Install Key" right?