How to Create a Bootable MacOS Sierra USB

The size of the macOS installer has become increasingly larger, with Monterey weighing in at 12GB and Big Sur at 13GB. While it is theoretically possible to use an external hard drive such as SSD or HDD as a bootable macOS installer, a USB flash drive remains the recommended choice due to its faster performance compared to a standard hard drive.

To create a bootable MacOS Sierra USB, you'll need:

* A clean flash drive with at least 15GB of available space

* A bootable Mac computer

Creating a bootable macOS installer can be helpful in several situations. For instance, if your MacBook Pro won't boot from its internal hard drive, you can use the bootable installer to boot your Mac from the USB and get it back up and running. Additionally, creating a bootable installer can help troubleshoot a malfunctioned Mac or recover from a situation where your MacBook won't turn on.

In this article, we'll explore how to create a bootable MacOS Sierra USB using a few simple steps. If you're looking for an alternative method, you can also use the Rufus for Mac tool to create a bootable USB drive for macOS.

Essential Preparations Before Creating a Bootable Installer

Before creating a bootable installer, ensure that your Mac computer is running MacOS Sierra or later and has enough free space on its startup disk. You'll also need to back up any important files on the target flash drive before proceeding with the installation process.

Step-by-Step Guide to Create a Bootable MacOS Sierra USB

1. Connect your flash drive to your bootable Mac computer.

2. Open Disk Utility, which can be found in Applications/Utilities or Spotlight search.

3. Select the target flash drive from the list of connected devices and click the 'Erase' button.

4. Choose the 'Quick Erase' option and confirm that you want to erase the contents of the flash drive.

5. Download the MacOS Sierra installer from Apple's official website.

6. Open the downloaded .dmg file and run the installer.

7. Select the target flash drive as the installation location and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

Creating a bootable MacOS Sierra USB is a simple process that requires minimal technical expertise. By following these steps, you can create a reliable backup of your macOS installation and troubleshoot any issues with your Mac computer. Whether you're looking to recover from a malfunctioned Mac or simply want to have a spare copy of your operating system, creating a bootable installer is an essential step in maintaining the health and performance of your MacBook.

Create macos sierra bootable usb