If you’re wondering how to create a bootable USB for macOS on Windows PC, you’re in the right place. This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to create a macOS bootable USB on Windows, allowing you to install macOS on a Mac or troubleshoot your macOS device. Whether you’re looking to set up a new bootable USB drive for Mac or repair your existing macOS installation, our process is easy to follow and beginner-friendly. We’ll walk you through every step, from creating the bootable USB for macOS to booting your Mac with the USB drive to resolve any issues.
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- Requirements for Creating a Bootable macOS USB Drive on Windows
- 1.1 MacOS Image File 1.2 A USB Drive 1.3 A Windows PC
- Step 1: Download macOS Image (DMG or ISO)
- 1.1 Find a Legitimate macOS Image 1.2 How to Download macOS from the Official Apple Website
- Step 2: Prepare Your USB Drive
- 2.1 Format the USB Drive 1.2 Using Third-Party Formatting Tools (If Necessary)
- Step 3: Install TransMac Software
- 3.1 Download and Install TransMac 1.2 Setting Up TransMac for macOS Bootable USB Creation
- Step 4: Create macOS Bootable USB Using TransMac
- 4.1 Open TransMac and Select Your USB Drive 1.2 Restore the macOS Image to the USB Drive 1.3 How to Wait for the Process to Complete
- Step 5: Boot Your Mac from the USB
- 5.1 Insert the USB Drive into Your Mac 1.2 Power on or Restart the Mac 1.3 Enter Boot Menu and Select USB Drive
- Common Issues and Troubleshooting
- 6.1 Bootable USB Not Working 1.2 macOS Installation Fails
- Conclusion
- FAQs
In this step-by-step guide, we will explain how to create a bootable USB for macOS on a Windows PC, covering every aspect of the process in detail. By the end of this guide, you will have a bootable USB drive ready for use with macOS on your Mac.
Please check our other blog on: How to Install Ubuntu from a USB Drive: Step-by-Step Guide
2. Requirements for Creating a Bootable macOS USB Drive on Windows
Before you start the process, you’ll need to gather the following:
2.1 macOS Image File
You need a macOS image file in either DMG or ISO format. This file contains the macOS installer needed to create a bootable USB. You can download the image file from the official Apple website or other legitimate sources.
2.2 A USB Drive
You’ll need a USB drive with at least 16 GB of storage space. It’s essential to use a high-quality USB drive because the installation process can take up a significant amount of space and time. The USB drive will be completely erased during the process, so make sure to back up any important data before proceeding.
2.3 A Windows PC
A Windows PC is needed to carry out the procedure since we’re creating the bootable USB on a non-macOS system. You’ll also need to ensure that your PC is running an updated version of Windows to avoid compatibility issues.
3. Download macOS Image (DMG or ISO)
The first step is to download the macOS image. You can either get a DMG or ISO file.
3.1 Find a Legitimate macOS Image
It’s very important to only download macOS from legitimate sources to avoid corrupted or compromised files. The best option is to download the official macOS installer directly from Apple.
3.2 How to Download macOS from the Official Apple Website
To download macOS from Apple’s website, follow these steps:
- Visit the official Apple website: Go to Apple’s Mac App Store.
- Select the macOS version you need: Choose the version of macOS you want to install. If you don’t see a version you need, you can search in the Mac App Store on a Mac system.
- Download the macOS Installer: Click Download, and the macOS installation file will begin to download.
Once the download is complete, you will have the image file in DMG format, which can be converted into an ISO file for use in Windows.
4. Prepare Your USB Drive
4.1 Format the USB Drive
Before you use your USB drive for creating a bootable macOS USB, you’ll need to format it. This process erases any existing data on the drive, so make sure to back up any important files.
To format your USB drive:
- Insert the USB drive into the Windows PC.
- Open File Explorer and right-click on the USB drive.
- Select Format from the menu.
- Choose exFAT as the file system and click Start to format the drive.
4.2 Using Third-Party Formatting Tools (If Necessary)
In some cases, Windows might not allow you to format the USB drive properly, especially if it’s being used with macOS. If that’s the case, you can use a third-party tool like DiskPart or Rufus to properly format your USB.
5. Install TransMac Software
Since Windows doesn’t natively support macOS file systems, you’ll need to use third-party software to write the macOS image to the USB drive. One of the best tools for this task is TransMac.
5.1 Download and Install TransMac
- Go to the TransMac website: Visit TransMac’s official site.
- Download the software: Select the version of TransMac compatible with your Windows system and download it.
- Install TransMac: Once downloaded, run the setup and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software on your Windows PC.
5.2 Setting Up TransMac for macOS Bootable USB Creation
- Launch TransMac after installation.
- You’ll need administrator rights to run the program, so allow the necessary permissions.
- When TransMac opens, you should see your USB drive in the program’s interface.
6. Create macOS Bootable USB Using TransMac
6.1 Open TransMac and Select Your USB Drive
- Open TransMac and locate your USB drive in the left-hand panel.
- Right-click on the USB drive and select Format Disk for Mac (this will format the drive for macOS).
6.2 Restore the macOS Image to the USB Drive
- Once the formatting is complete, right-click on the USB drive again and select Restore with Disk Image.
- Select the macOS image file (ISO or DMG format) that you downloaded earlier.
- Click OK to begin the process. The software will copy the macOS image to the USB drive and make it bootable.
6.3 How to Wait for the Process to Complete
The process can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the speed of your USB drive and PC. Be patient, and don’t interrupt the process.
7. Boot Your Mac from the USB
7.1 Insert the USB Drive into Your Mac
After the process is complete, safely eject the USB drive from your Windows PC and plug it into your Mac.
7.2 Power on or Restart the Mac
If your Mac is off, power it on. If it’s on, restart the Mac.
7.3 Enter Boot Menu and Select USB Drive
- Once the Mac starts, press and hold the Option (⌥) key during startup.
- When the boot options appear, use the arrow keys to select your USB drive and press Enter.
Your Mac should now boot from the USB drive and you will see the macOS installation screen.
8. Common Issues and Troubleshooting
8.1 Bootable USB Not Working
- Ensure that you’ve formatted the USB drive properly and selected the correct macOS image.
- Double-check that the USB is correctly inserted into the Mac and that you’re pressing the correct keys for booting.
8.2 macOS Installation Fails
- Sometimes the installation might fail. In such cases, you may need to re-create the bootable USB, making sure the macOS image file is not corrupted.
Summary
Creating a bootable USB for macOS on a Windows PC is not a difficult process when you follow the steps outlined in this guide. From downloading the correct macOS image to using TransMac for creating the USB, these steps will help you get your Mac up and running, whether for installation or troubleshooting. Make sure to back up your data, follow the steps carefully, and your bootable USB will be ready to use!
Now that you have your bootable USB ready for macOS installation, you’re well-equipped to handle any MacOS-related repairs or installations. If you’re planning to install a different operating system or need assistance with troubleshooting, feel free to explore these related guides on our site: