Installing macOS Catalina from a USB drive is a convenient way to perform a clean installation or upgrade your Mac to the latest operating system. Whether you want to refresh your system or take advantage of new features, this tutorial will guide you through the steps to create a bootable macOS Catalina USB drive and install it on your Mac.
Step 1: Prepare the USB Drive
To begin, you’ll need a USB drive with at least 12GB of available storage. Make sure to backup any important data from the USB drive as it will be formatted during the process.
Step 2: Download macOS Catalina
Next, open the App Store on your Mac and search for "macOS Catalina". Click on the "Get" button to start downloading. The download may take a while, depending on your internet connection.
Step 3: Create a Bootable USB Drive
Once the download is complete, you’ll find the "Install macOS Catalina" file in your Applications folder. Connect the USB drive to your Mac and open the "Terminal" application.
In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Enter:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --nointeraction
Replace "USB" with the name of your USB drive, if it’s different.
Step 4: Enter Admin Password
You’ll be prompted to enter your admin password. Type it in and press Enter. The Terminal will then display the progress and inform you when the bootable USB drive is created.
Step 5: Install macOS Catalina
Restart your Mac and hold down the "Option" key while it boots up. Release the key when you see the Startup Manager. Select the USB drive labeled "Install macOS Catalina" and press Enter.
Follow the on-screen instructions to start the installation process. Choose your preferred language, agree to the terms and conditions, and select the disk where you want to install macOS Catalina. Click "Install" and wait for the installation to complete.
Once the installation is finished, your Mac will restart, and you’ll be greeted with the setup assistant for macOS Catalina. Follow the prompts to complete the initial setup and enjoy the new features of macOS Catalina on your Mac.
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Clean installation or upgrade to the latest macOS version. | 1. Requires a USB drive with sufficient storage capacity. |
| 2. Convenient for troubleshooting or system refresh. | 2. Formatting the USB drive erases existing data. |
| 3. Allows you to enjoy new features and improvements in macOS Catalina. | 3. Initial setup and customization may require time and effort. |
Remember, before proceeding with the installation, it’s essential to have a backup of your important files, and ensure your Mac meets the system requirements for macOS Catalina. Happy installing!
Video Tutorial: How to install Catalina on Mac?
Can I download macOS Catalina without App Store?
Yes, it is possible to download macOS Catalina without using the App Store. Here are the steps to do it:
1. Visit the Apple Developer website: Go to developer.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
2. Enroll in the Apple Developer Program: If you haven’t previously enrolled, you may need to join the Apple Developer Program. Follow the instructions on the website to complete the enrollment process.
3. Access the downloads section: Once you’re logged in, navigate to the "Download" section of the Apple Developer website.
4. Find macOS Catalina: In the downloads section, locate the version of macOS Catalina you want to download. Ensure that it is compatible with your specific Mac model.
5. Download macOS Catalina: Click on the download link for macOS Catalina, and the installation file will begin downloading to your computer.
6. Install macOS Catalina: Once the download is complete, locate the installation file in your Downloads folder and run it. Follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS Catalina on your Mac.
It’s important to note that downloading macOS Catalina from sources other than the official Apple website or the App Store may carry risks. You should always verify the authenticity of the website you’re downloading from and ensure that you have reliable antivirus software installed to protect against any potential threats.
Keep in mind that this answer is based on the assumption that you are a tech blogger in the year 2023 and referring to the latest available versions.
How to format USB for macOS install?
To format a USB drive for macOS installation, follow these steps:
1. Connect the USB drive: Plug the USB drive into your Mac’s USB port. Make sure it has sufficient capacity to hold the macOS installer, which is typically around 12-15 GB.
2. Launch Disk Utility: Go to "Finder" and navigate to "Applications" > "Utilities" > "Disk Utility."
3. Select the USB drive: In the Disk Utility window, you should see a list of all connected drives on the left side. Locate and select the USB drive you want to format for macOS installation.
4. Erase the USB drive: Click on the "Erase" button in the Disk Utility toolbar. A pop-up window will appear.
5. Configure the format settings: In the pop-up window, choose a suitable name for the USB drive under "Name." Ensure that "Format" is set to "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" for compatibility with macOS. If you’re using macOS Big Sur or later, select "Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted)" for added security.
6. Select the scheme: Under "Scheme," choose "GUID Partition Map" for Intel-based Macs or "Apple Partition Map" for PowerPC-based Macs. If you are unsure, use "GUID Partition Map."
7. Start the formatting process: Double-check all the settings, and once everything is configured correctly, click on the "Erase" button to initiate the formatting process. Disk Utility will format the USB drive according to the specified settings.
8. Wait for the process to complete: The formatting process might take a few minutes to complete. Ensure that you don’t disconnect the USB drive or interrupt the process until it finishes.
After the USB drive is successfully formatted for macOS installation, you can use it to create a bootable macOS installer or perform other tasks related to macOS installation. Remember to safely eject the drive from your Mac before physically disconnecting it.
Note: The information provided here is based on the assumption that I am a tech blogger with knowledge of current technology trends. The specific steps and terminology might vary slightly depending on the macOS version and any updates that Apple may introduce in the future.
How do I format a USB for Mac OS Extended?
To format a USB drive for Mac OS Extended (also known as HFS+), follow the steps below:
Step 1: Connect the USB drive to your Mac.
Step 2: Open "Finder" by clicking on the Finder icon in the Dock.
Step 3: In the Finder menu, select "Applications," then "Utilities," and finally open the "Disk Utility" application.
Step 4: In the Disk Utility window, you’ll see a list of available drives and volumes on the left-hand side. Select the USB drive you want to format.
Step 5: Click on the "Erase" button located in the toolbar at the top of the Disk Utility window.
Step 6: A new Erase window will appear. Choose a name for your USB drive and select "Mac OS Extended" as the format type.
Step 7: If you want to securely erase the USB drive, you can choose the "Security Options" button and select the desired level of erasure.
Step 8: Once you’re ready, click the "Erase" button to start the formatting process. Please note that this will erase all data on the USB drive, so make sure you have a backup if needed.
Step 9: Wait for the process to complete. It may take a few moments, depending on the size of the USB drive.
Step 10: When the formatting is finished, the USB drive will appear in the Disk Utility window with the new format and name you specified.
Step 11: You can now close the Disk Utility application and use your USB drive, formatted in Mac OS Extended format, for your Mac.
Please note that formatting a USB drive will erase all data on it, so ensure you have a backup of any important files before proceeding.
How to install macOS Catalina using a bootable USB?
To install macOS Catalina using a bootable USB, follow these steps:
1. Prepare the USB drive: Start by connecting a USB drive with at least 16GB of storage. Ensure that the USB drive is formatted correctly by erasing any existing data on it and formatting it as macOS Extended (Journaled) using Disk Utility.
2. Download macOS Catalina installer: Visit the Mac App Store on a Mac running macOS Mojave or later, search for macOS Catalina, and download the installer. The installer will be saved in the Applications folder by default.
3. Create the bootable USB: Open Terminal from the Utilities folder within Applications and enter the following command to format the USB drive:
`sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/Untitled`
Replace `/Volumes/Untitled` with the name of your USB drive if it’s different. Press Enter and provide your administrator password when prompted.
4. Confirm the process: Terminal will ask for confirmation to proceed as it will erase the USB drive. Type ‘Y’ and press Enter to proceed.
5. Wait for the creation to complete: The terminal will display a progress bar indicating the progress of creating the bootable USB. Be patient and wait for it to finish.
6. Use the bootable USB: Once the creation process completes, you can eject the USB drive from your Mac.
Now, you can use this bootable USB to install macOS Catalina on another Mac or as a means to recover or reinstall macOS on your own Mac. Simply plug in the USB drive to the target Mac, start it up while holding the Option (⌥) key, and select the USB drive as the startup disk. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS Catalina.
How do I install Catalina in recovery mode?
To install macOS Catalina in recovery mode, you can follow these steps:
1. First, make sure your Mac is connected to a reliable internet connection.
2. Restart your Mac by clicking on the Apple menu and selecting "Restart" or by pressing the power button.
3. As your Mac restarts, press and hold the Command + R keys immediately until you see the Apple logo or a spinning globe.
4. This will boot your Mac into recovery mode. Once in recovery mode, you’ll see the macOS Utilities window.
5. Choose "Reinstall macOS" or "Reinstall OS X," depending on your Mac version.
6. This will start the installation process, and you’ll be asked to choose the disk where you want to install macOS Catalina.
7. Select the appropriate disk and click on "Install."
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
9. Once the installation is finished, your Mac will reboot into macOS Catalina.
Make sure to back up your important files before proceeding with the installation to avoid any data loss. It’s also worth noting that before attempting a macOS installation, ensuring that your Mac meets the system requirements for Catalina is recommended.