How to Install macOS Tahoe on any PC [Intel/AMD]
The following guide is a complete installation guide for installing a fresh copy of macOS Tahoe on any compatible PC. The post-installation has been covered in another section. The required tools and downloads are available at the forum.Overview
Apple announced its new macOS version i.e. macOS Tahoe (26.0) at WWDC25, which is the next major revision to its Operating System in the Macintosh lineup. As usual, a Developer Preview version will be available immediately for Developers who are enrolled in the developer program, and a Public Beta which is expected in July, coming this fall.Although, macOS Tahoe is still in the beta phase, existing users running macOS Ventura or prior who wish to try out macOS Tahoe, can either upgrade or perform a clean installation on their systems. Please be advised that due to being in the beta phase, it may contain several bugs and that is why it is not recommended to use it as a daily driver. As this is a clean install guide, this method involves bootable USB creation and you'll not be able to preserve any files or system settings. Therefore, it is highly recommended to back up your files before proceeding. In addition, if you have a secondary system, it would be best to use that for trying out macOS Tahoe Beta. In case you do not have one, a spare drive will do the job. This is because on the new beta OS, it might be possible that there are potential bugs that can hamper your daily workflow on the system and unlike Windows, there is no rolling back while keeping your files and system settings.
If you plan to perform an upgrade, follow the guide linked below:
Requirements
Before you start with this guide, here are a few requirements:- A compatible Desktop Hardware
- A compatible HDD or SSD (NVMe/PCIe/SATA SSD) and AMD GPU for installation.
- A working Internet connection.
- A 16 GB or larger USB Flash Drive.
STEP 1: Back up your System
Before you proceed with the installation, we strongly recommend performing a full backup of your existing installation using Carbon Copy Cloner or Time Machine, or any other reliable backup/restore tool. In case the installation fails or you encounter any issues with the installation, you can always restore the system to its previous state using the backup you created.STEP 2: Download macOS Tahoe
The next step is to download macOS Tahoe. macOS Tahoe can be downloaded using several ways. As this guide is intended for users running macOS, you can download the macOS Tahoe DMG. To download macOS Tahoe DMG, follow the guide linked below:STEP 3: Create macOS Tahoe Bootable USB
Once you have obtained macOS Tahoe Installer, the next step is to create macOS Bootable USB. To create macOS Tahoe Bootable USB, refer to the guide linked below:NOTE: The Bootable USB Creation guide involves preparing EFI and installing OpenCore to USB. If you have already followed the Bootable USB Creation guide, you shouldn't require STEPS #4 and #5. However, if you haven't or anyhow missed it, follow the steps accordingly.
STEP 4: Preparing OpenCore EFI
The next step is to prepare OpenCore EFI for booting the installer. Depending on your system, create the OpenCore EFI using the guide linked below. See Chapter 3.Once you're done with the EFI, you'll need to adjust some parameters which are required for booting macOS Tahoe. See Updating EFI for macOS Tahoe for more information.
STEP 5: Install OpenCore to Bootable USB
Once your EFI is ready, the next step is to install OpenCore EFI to Bootable USB. See ChapterInstalling OpenCore to Bootable USB
After validating the config.plist, all you need to do is install OpenCore to Bootable USB. To install OpenCore, follow the steps below.
For macOS Users
I. UEFI
If the target system is UEFI capable system, follow the steps below to install OpenCore
If you have used Online Method to create the Bootable USB (see Chapter 2), simply copy the final EFI folder from the working directory to the root of the USB Flash Drive you made earlier.
If you have used Offline Method to create the Bootable USB (see...
After validating the config.plist, all you need to do is install OpenCore to Bootable USB. To install OpenCore, follow the steps below.
For macOS Users
I. UEFI
If the target system is UEFI capable system, follow the steps below to install OpenCore
If you have used Online Method to create the Bootable USB (see Chapter 2), simply copy the final EFI folder from the working directory to the root of the USB Flash Drive you made earlier.
If you have used Offline Method to create the Bootable USB (see...
STEP 6: Setup BIOS/UEFI
Before you rush and try to boot using the USB Installer, you should set up your BIOS/UEFI first. To set up your BIOS, refer to the guide linked below:
STEP 7: Boot the macOS Installer
After preparing your installation USB, EFI and setting up your BIOS/UEFI, you're ready to install it on your target PC. To boot the macOS installer, follow the steps below:1. Turn on your target System.
2. Boot to Boot Menu.
3. Select your USB Flash Drive with the UEFI Prefix and press enter to boot.
4. When at the OC Boot picker, select Install macOS 26 beta and press enter to boot. The installer will load in a while. If you have an existing version of macOS, the drive may appear in the OpenCore Boot picker.
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STEP 8: Installing macOS Tahoe
After the macOS Tahoe installer has booted, the next step is to install macOS Tahoe. To install macOS Tahoe, follow the steps below:1. When at the installation screen, select your preferred language and continue
2. Select Disk Utility and click on Continue
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3. When at Disk Utility, Click on View, and then select Show all Devices.
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4. Now select the SSD on which you want to install macOS and click on Erase button. Use the following parameters to erase the target drive:
Name: Macintosh HD
Format: APFS
Scheme: GUID Partition Map
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5. Once the parameter is set, click on Erase button and the disk will be erased.
6. After easing the disk, click on Done and close Disk Utility. You can click on Show Details to verify if the USB has been erased with APFS format.
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NOTE: You must erase the whole target disk instead of any partition.
7. Select Install macOS 26 beta and click on Continue and then continue with the options.
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8. Now select Macintosh HD and click on Continue.
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Now, macOS Tahoe will begin installing to your selected disk.
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NOTES:
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Here it ends the first phase of the installation.
9. When your PC restarts, it will automatically boot from macOS Installer to continue the next phase of the installation. If for any reason, the installer does not auto boot, select macOS Installer in the boot picker and then boot. The installation will continue and upon completion, your PC will automatically restart.
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10. Once again, your PC will restart. Upon restarting, it will automatically boot from macOS Installer to continue the installation. If for any reason, the installer does not auto boot, select macOS Installer in the boot picker and then boot. The installation will continue and upon completion, your PC will automatically restart.
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Once again, your PC will restart, and when your PC restarts, it will automatically boot from Macintosh HD to continue the last phase of the installation. You'll see something as shown below.
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STEP 9: Finishing macOS Setup
After finishing the macOS installation, it's time to set up the macOS for the first usage with the newly installed macOS.When you're at the welcome screen, continue to set up with the basics options such as Keyboard setup, Network, Computer Account, and Privacy settings by following onscreen instructions.
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Now the installation is complete!
Enjoy macOS Tahoe on your PC
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