How to Create macOS Tahoe Bootable USB for PC
This guide describes how to create macOS Tahoe Bootable USB for PCs aka non-apple computers. The installation has been covered in another section. By following this guide, you can use this USB to perform a clean install of macOS Tahoe on your non-Apple computer including PCs and Laptops.Requirements
Before you start with this guide, here are a few requirements:- A working Internet connection.
- A 16 GB or larger USB Flash Drive.
- An existing computer with macOS installed.
This guide describes a complete offline method instead of Recovery. Therefore, you'll require access to an existing system with macOS installed. Once macOS Tahoe is released this fall, the recovery method will be added to this guide.
STEP 1: Download macOS Tahoe
To download macOS Tahoe, follow the guide linked below:
STEP 2: Create macOS Tahoe Bootable USB Flash Drive
The next step is to create a bootable installation drive. Follow the steps below to create the installation media:1. Insert your USB Flash Drive to your computer.
2. Open Disk Utility. The Disk Utility is located at /Applications/Utilities.
3. Click on View and then select Show All Devices:
4. Select your USB Flash Drive in the left pane and click on Erase button. A popup will appear asking you to erase the drive. Use the following parameters to erase your drive:
Name: USB
Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Scheme: GUID Partition Map
NOTE: Do NOT use any other format other than Mac OS Extended (Journaled) to erase the USB.
5. Once erased, click on Done and close Disk Utility. You can click on Show Details to verify if the USB has been erased with HFS+ format.
6. Launch Terminal, located at /Applications/Utilities. You can use Spotlight search as well.
7. Execute the createinstallmedia command given below in Terminal:
Code:
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Beta.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB8. When prompted, enter your password.
9. Press Y to confirm and then press enter key. The terminal will start erasing the disk and will create a macOS Bootable USB in a while.
If you're on Big Sur or later, the Terminal may prompt for access. When prompted, click on OK to allow access.
Once the process is completed, you'll see the following screen:
10. Quit Terminal. The USB Flash Drive will be renamed as Install macOS Tahoe.
STEP 3: Prepare EFI Configuration
Currently, this Bootable USB can be only used on a real Mac to boot off the installer. However, on non-Apple computers, you'll also need a proper EFI (including Bootloader and kexts) to boot the installer on a PC. You can either use OpenCore (preferred) or Clover. Depending on your preferences, choose one from the guide linked below:OpenCore
Clover
https://elitemacx86.com/threads/how...-clover-uefi-legacy-clover-install-guide.954/
NOTES:
- The bootloader must be the latest. If you're using Clover, (v5158) or later and if you're using OpenCore (v1.5.0) or later is recommended.
- Kexts must be the latest. The essential kexts are Lilu, VirtualSMC, WhateverGreen, and AppleALC. If you're using some other kext and an update is available, you should update that too. This is mandatory for the installation, ensuring the installer boots successfully and does not run into any problems.
- For AMD Systems, you also need to update the Kernel Patches. Do not use these Kernel Patches if you're using an Intel-based CPU.
- As Apple has dropped the support for older Mac Models (up to Coffee Lake), you'll need to update the SMBIOS data to 2020 and later. See Setting Up SMBIOS for more information.
STEP 4: Install Bootloader and EFI
Once your EFI is ready, the next step is to install the EFI to the Bootable USB. Depending on the EFI choice you made in STEP #3, choose one from below:OpenCore
Clover
Now, that you have the bootable USB ready, with the right ingredients, you can perform a clean install of macOS Tahoe on your PC!
See Installing macOS Tahoe on PC for more information
