How to Install macOS Big Sur from a USB Stick

Are you excited about trying out the latest version of macOS, Big Sur? If your Mac is not on the official list of compatible devices, you won't be able to run it. But if your Mac meets the system requirements, you can install Big Sur from a USB stick.

Before we dive into the process, keep in mind that the Terminal command assumes that the macOS beta or public beta installer resides in the Applications folder and 'Untitled' is the name of the USB drive or other external disk you're using. Make sure to note these two things before moving the installer out of the Applications folder or renaming your external drive.

To create a bootable installer for Big Sur, you'll need:

* The macOS beta or public beta installer inside your Applications folder

* Your disk must be named 'Untitled' and formatted with the 'Mac OS Extended' option

* A USB thumb drive or external disk with at least twelve gigabytes of available storage

* A compatible Mac computer with macOS Catalina

Here's a quick checklist to ensure you have everything ready:

While having a bootable installer is not necessary if you only want to upgrade your current macOS on a single machine, it can be helpful for troubleshooting purposes and when installing Big Sur on multiple Mac computers without having to download the installer each time.

You can use your USB installer as a startup disk from which you can boot your computer in order to install Big Sur. Having a dedicated Big Sur beta installer on a USB thumb drive is also a great option for people who have multiple Macs that they wish to upgrade to Big Sur.

Why Do I Need a Bootable Installer?

In summary, having a bootable installer allows you to easily install Big Sur on multiple Mac computers without having to download the installer each time. It's also helpful for troubleshooting purposes and when you need to boot your computer from a USB drive.

By following these steps, you'll be able to install Big Sur from a USB stick and enjoy all its new features and improvements.

Install big sur from usb stick