Whether it is to install the latest version of macOS on several machines or to be able to reinstall it without downloading it again, here is a small procedure to create a bootable macOS key, valid for Mojave, or another macOS.
The public beta of the latest version of macOS is finally available and it is obviously tempting to take the plunge to take advantage of the new features of Apple’s operating system.
We will quote in bulk the dark fashion, the great and many new features of the Finder, as well as the ability to conduct a conversation with 32 friends… if you have 32 friends on hand. Not to mention the tools and functions that give you more control over your personal data and online activity.
There are many reasons to be impatient, therefore, and also to want to participate in the finalization of this new operating system. Because, let’s not forget that a beta is a work in progress, that we must therefore avoid installing it on a “production” machine (or in any case one that must be operational).
As a corollary of this status, it is possible that some software does not work well, is unstable, that some data disappears, etc. Understand that you have to make a backup of your data before you start and that you must then be ready to make bug reports to really play the role of beta tester …
We suggest you create a to install to a USB drive so you don’t have to download macOS Mojave on multiple machines. It’s a way to save time. Not to mention that this manipulation will also work with the final version of macOS Mojave and that you can thus create an installation key that can be used without incident until the next iteration of macOS …
Make sure your Mac is compatible
Before we get to the main point, we must first take some precautions.
Unlike High Sierra, which was designed to run on the same Macs as Sierra, macOS Mojave is a bit more demanding. The list of compatible Macs is therefore a little shorter. Before attempting the installation, therefore, make sure that your machine is listed in the table below.
Make sure you have the right key …
Now that you know that one or more of your Macs are compatible, there is one more thing to do before you get started. Find a USB 3.0 flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage – the file weighs about 6 GB. Of course, if you intend to use this installation “disk” on newer MacBook (Pro), your better. ensure that this key is USB-C. There are affordable hybrid USB-C / USB-A models for quite interesting storage capacities.
Anyway if you are using a key already in your possession, make sure that it does not contain anything valuable, as it will be formatted in the procedure that we are going to follow.
Download macOS and create the USB installer
- From the macOS Mojave Public Beta (10.14) page, grab and install the Beta Access Utility. Then in the Mac App Store, download the installer.
Depending on your bandwidth, the file will take more or less time to be recovered, since it weighs around 6 GB.
When it is fully downloaded, the installer will launch automatically. Close it.
- Then click on the Finder icon in the Dock. Then in the window that has just opened, go to Applications.
- Locate the file Install macOS 10.14. Right click on its icon and in the context menu, click Show package contents.
- Then go to Happy then Resources. Locate a file called Createinstallmedia.
Do not close this Finder window but leave it aside for now. It’s time to bring in a powerful macOS tool, the Terminal. Don’t worry, the procedure won’t be complicated.
- From the Applications folder/Utilities, launch Terminal. Or use Spotlight to do it faster.
- Now that Terminal is running, type sudo, followed by a space.
- In the Finder window, select createinstallmedia with the mouse and drag it into the Terminal.
- At the end of the line of the command line which is now completed by the path of the file createinstallmedia, type –volume, followed in turn by a space.
- Let’s sum up. So far we’ve entered a command that will create an install image of macOS Mojave, in a volume we haven’t yet designated. It’s time to get started.
- Connect your USB drive, and open a new Finder window (in a new tab if you want, whatever). You should see the key appear in the sidebar.
- Now in Pitches, click the name of your Mac. As it happens, MacBook Pro to see all the connected volumes: remote disk, Macintosh HD, Network and your USB key.
NB: if you can not find your Mac in locations, go to the menu Finder / Preferences and in the section Pitches, simply check the corresponding box to make it appear.
- Select your key icon and drag it into the Terminal to complete the command you are entering.
- You can now validate the command by pressing the key Entrance. An alert tells you that the volume that corresponds to the key will be erased, if you are sure that you have nothing to lose on this key, type y and validate.
- Now give your Mac time to erase what is on the key and then copy the elements necessary for the installation. The process is more or less long, allow between 15 and 25 minutes.
The bootable USB stick is now created. You just need to connect it to the Mac on which you want to install macOS Mojave. You then have the choice: from macOS, simply click on the Install macOs Mojave beta file. You can also restart the Mac by pressing the Option until you see the different bootable volumes. Your key should be there, so choose the Mojave installer.
The good life of beta tester is yours!