How to Create a Bootable macOS Catalina USB Drive

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how to create bootable macos catalina usb drive

You may need a bootable macOS Catalina USB drive to cleanly install the operating system or downgrade the macOS beta version. You can follow the steps here to create a bootable disk for any available version. However, since macOS Catalina is the current stable release, let me show you how to make a bootable installer drive.

Before You Begin:

How to Create a Bootable macOS Catalina Installer Drive

  1. Download macOS Catalina from the Mac App Store. (You may download beta versions from Apple Public Beta page, or the developer page.)
  2. Once the download completes, the macOS Installer will launch automatically. Close it.click on install macos catalina and then select quit install macos
  3. Next, open Finder and click on Applications. Right-click on Install macOS Catalina. Select Show Package Contents.select applications in finder right click on install macos catalina and choose show package contents on mac
  4. Open the Contents folder.click on contents folder in finder on mac
  5. Now, open the Resources folder. Keep this folder open.click on resources in finder on macselect createinstallmedia in finder on mac
  6. Open Terminal using Spotlight Search.launch terminal from spotlight search on mac
  7. In Terminal type the word sudo and then give a space.type sudo command in mac terminal
  8. From the window in step 5, drag createinstallmedia to the Terminal.drag createinstallmedia file from resources folder to terminal on mac
  9. Next, type --volume and give space.type --volume command in terminal on mac
  10. Connect the USB flash drive to your Mac
  11. Launch Finder and click on Go from the top menu bar. Next, click on Go to Folder. Here type /Volumes and hit enter (or click Go).click on go from menubar and then select go to folder on mactype /volumes and click on go in finder on mac
  12. Click on your Pen drive and drag it into the Terminal window.drag pen drive from volumes folder to terminal window
  13. Hit the enter/return key. Enter your Mac’s password when asked. (While typing password in Terminal, you won’t see stars or typing confirmation. But keep typing it and hit the enter key when done.)enter mac's password in terminal app
  14. Next, when prompted, type y and hit the enter/return key again.type y and hit enter to create bootable macos catalina usb drive

Done!

The USB drive will be erased first, and then installer files will be copied to it. Erasing will be relatively quick. However, copying will take considerable time. Even if it is stuck at 0% or 10% for long, do not quit the Terminal window. The process is ongoing.

erasing data from pen drive in terminal on mac

copying data to usb drive in mac terminal

making bootatble macos catalina usb drive in terminal app on mac

Signing off…

Note: If you have a Mac with T2 Security Chip (that is, Macs introduced in 2018 or later), first follow this guide to allow booting from external media.

After you create the bootable USB drive, the process to install it is simple. Make sure the USB drive is connected to the Mac. Next, click on the Apple logo from the top left and choose Restart. When you hear the startup sound or see the Apple logo, immediately press and hold the Option key. Select the bootable installer as the startup disk, and follow the instructions.

If you have issues, we have an extensive guide that addresses tips to fix when Mac Recovery Mode is not working.

The founder of iGeeksBlog, Dhvanesh, is an Apple aficionado, who cannot stand even a slight innuendo about Apple products. He dons the cap of editor-in-chief to make sure that articles match the quality standard before they are published.