How to Make a Bootable macOS Monterey USB Install Key [Video]

These are instructions on how to create a bootable USB install key for macOS Monterey. This bootable USB drive can be used to install macOS Monterey onto multiple Macs no matter their macOS version.

Create Bootable USB Installer

Step One

To create a bootable installer, connect a 16GB or larger USB flash drive to your computer then launch the Mac App Store from your dock.

Step Two

Navigate to the macOS Monterey application page and click the Get button.

Step Three

You may be brought to a Software Update window, click Upgrade Now or Download to begin downloading the macOS installer.

Step Four

Once the macOS Monterey installer launches, press the Command+Q keys on the keyboard to exit.

Step Five

Open your Applications folder and select the 'Install macOS Monterey' app. Press Command+i on the keyboard and verify its size.


If the macOS Monterey installer app is over 10GB, skip to the next step.

If it's tiny (~20MB), you have a few options.
1. You can run it to install macOS Monterey and then redownload the installer.
2. You can delete it, upgrade to the latest version of Big Sur from the Mac App Store, then redownload the installer.
3. You can delete it and use one of the direct download links found here.


Step Six
Once you've verified that you have the full installer, launch Terminal from the Applications:Utilities folder.


Step Seven
Note the name of your USB drive.


Execute the following command in the Terminal window replacing 'Untitled' with the name of your USB key that will become the bootable installer. Please note this will erase the entire USB drive.

sudo '/Applications/Install macOS Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia' --volume '/Volumes/Untitled'


You will be asked to enter your Administrative account password.


Type Y and press enter to begin.


Step Eight
If prompted to allow Terminal to access your removable device, click OK.


After about 30 minutes the creation of your macOS Monterey USB installer will be complete.

Install macOS Monterey

If you have an Intel Mac, restart your computer and hold down the Option key after hearing the boot sound. You'll be presented with a list of bootable drives. Select the USB installer drive from the boot menu to begin.

If you have an Apple Silicon Mac, power off your device. Turn it back on and keep holding down the power button until you see the boot menu appear. You can then select the bootable install drive to begin installing macOS Monterey.

USB Flash Drive

If you want a suggestion on which USB flash drive to use for your macOS installer, the Samsung Fit Plus is a compact and affordable option. Most drives 16GB or larger will work; however, you'll likely want a drive that is USB 3.0 or newer for best performance.

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