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:
Set your bootable USB as your startup disk for the next boot in “Apple Menu - System Preferences - Startup Disk,” then click “Restart” to reboot your Mac. Your Mac will reboot from the USB instead of your default startup disk. Alternatively, you can also use the Startup Manager to select your boot drive when you start macOS. What you need to make a bootable USB for Mac There are two main things you'll need to make your bootable install: a USB stick and the installation files. Once you have those two things the process. For 2018 to 2020 Macs with the Secure Boot T2 Chip, see the 2020 Macbook Pro Boot from USB instructions. A “startup disk” is a volume or partition of a drive that contains a bootable operating system. You can set your Mac to automatically use a specific startup volume, or you can temporarily override this choice at startup. Finally, press 'Return' key on the selected option to boot Mac. This way you can boot your Mac with an external USB drive, but the most critical part is to prepare the USB drive. If you have multiple USB drives connected, then the Startup Manager shall list the drives with the bootable OS. So, this is how to boot Mac from USB drive.
Make sure you have a USB flash drive with at least 16 GB capacity
If there are files on it, copy it somewhere else as we will be completely erasing it
Your Mac should be compatible with macOS Catalina
How to Create a Bootable macOS Catalina Installer Drive
Download macOS Catalina from the Mac App Store. (You may download beta versions from Apple Public Beta page, or the developer page.)
Once the download completes, the macOS Installer will launch automatically. Close it.
Next, open Finder and click on Applications. Right-click on Install macOS Catalina. Select Show Package Contents.
Open the Contents folder.
Now, open the Resources folder. Keep this folder open.
Open Terminal using Spotlight Search.
In Terminal type the word sudo and then give a space.
From the window in step 5, drag createinstallmedia to the Terminal.
Next, type --volume and give space.
Connect the USB flash drive to your Mac
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 your Pen drive and drag it into the Terminal window.
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.)
Next, when prompted, type y and hit the enter/return key again.
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.
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. Cool apps for macbook pro free.
Macbook Pro Boot Disk Download
Create Bootable Usb
If you have issues, we have an extensive guide that addresses tips to fix when Mac Recovery Mode is not working.
Mac Boot Commands
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.