How to Create a Bootable macOS Sequoia USB Installer [Video]

These are instructions on how to create a bootable USB installer for macOS Sequoia.

A bootable installer for macOS Sequoia is a great way to install the operating system across multiple Macs, regardless of their current version of macOS. It's also highly useful for machines with slower internet connections.

Create a macOS Sequoia USB Installer

Step One

To begin, plug in a USB flash drive with at least 32GB of storage (formatted as Mac OS Extended) to your Mac, and then open the Mac App Store from your dock.

Step Two

Navigate to the macOS Sequoia download page and click the Get button to start downloading the installer.

Step Three

You might see a Software Update window pop up. Simply click Upgrade Now or Download to start downloading the macOS installer.

Step Four

Once the macOS Sequoia installer launches, press Command+Q to close it, and then click Quit.

Step Five

Open the Applications folder and locate the 'Install macOS Sequoia' app. Press Command+i to check its file size.


If the installer is over 10GB, you can move on to the next step.


If it's only about 20MB, you have three choices:

1. Run it to install macOS Sequoia and then re-download the full installer.
2. Delete it, update to the latest version of macOS via the App Store, and download the installer again.
3. Delete it and use one of the direct download links found here.

Step Six

Once you've confirmed you have the full installer, launch Terminal from the Applications:Utilities folder.

Step Seven

Make a note of your USB drive's name.


Run this command in Terminal to create a bootable installer, replacing 'Untitled' with the name of your USB drive. This will erase the entire USB drive.

sudo '/Applications/Install macOS Sequoia.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia' –volume '/Volumes/Untitled'


Enter your admin password when prompted.


Type Y and press Enter to start the process.

Step Eight

If asked to let Terminal access your removable device, click OK.

After about 30 minutes, your macOS Sequoia USB installer will be ready.

Installing macOS Sequoia

For Intel-based Macs, restart and hold down the Option key when the boot sound plays. Choose the USB installer from the boot menu.

For Apple Silicon Macs, power off the device, hold the power button when turning it on until you see the boot menu, and select the USB installer drive.

Choosing a USB Stick

If you're looking for a reliable flash drive for your macOS Sequoia bootable installer, the Samsung Fit Plus is a great choice. Any USB drive 32GB or larger will work, but it's best to choose one with USB 3.0 or newer for faster performance. Samsung also offers a new USB Type-C Flash Drive.

If your flash drive is new, you may need to format it as Mac OS Extended using Disk Utility before creating your bootable installer.

Important Notes

If you're looking for tutorials on creating a bootable USB installer for older versions of macOS, here are the guides for Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma:
● How to Make a Bootable macOS Sonoma USB Install Key [Video]
● How to Make a Bootable macOS Monterey USB Install Key [Video]
● How to Make a Bootable macOS Ventura USB Install Key [Video]

Why Create a Bootable USB Installer

There are many reasons why having a bootable USB installer for macOS Sequoia is beneficial:

●

System Recovery

: In case your Mac faces problems, you can use the USB installer to boot the system and fix any issues. This is particularly useful when your OS becomes corrupt.

●

Fresh Install

: A bootable USB allows you to perform a clean installation, erasing your hard drive and reinstalling macOS Sequoia for a fresh start or to resolve persistent software issues.

●

Multiple Installs

: If you own multiple Macs, a USB installer saves time by letting you install macOS Sequoia on each without repeatedly downloading the installer.

●

Offline Installations

: Install macOS Sequoia without an internet connection. This is ideal for situations with limited or no internet access.

●

Faster Installs

: USB installs are generally quicker than downloading the full installer online, particularly for those with slower internet connections.

●

Emergency Use

: Keeping a USB installer handy is like an emergency tool for your Mac, allowing you to quickly recover from serious issues.

Be sure to download the iClarified app or follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and RSS for more Apple tutorials and news.