How can I create a bootable macOS installer for my MacBook Pro M4

Preparation

1. USB Drive: Ensure you have a USB flash drive with at least 16 GB of free space. It's recommended to use a 32 GB drive for newer macOS versions. All data on the USB drive will be erased during this process, so back up any important files.

2. Internet Connection: Make sure your Mac is connected to the internet.

3. Admin Access: Verify that you have administrator access on your Mac.

4. macOS Installer: Download the macOS installer from the Mac App Store. Ensure it is saved in the Applications folder.

Manual Method Using Terminal

1. Connect the USB Drive: Plug the USB drive into your MacBook Pro.

2. Open Disk Utility: Go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility. Select your USB drive from the left panel, click "Erase," name it (e.g., MyVolume**), and choose "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" as the format. Click "Erase" to format the drive.

3. Open Terminal: Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

4. Run the Createinstallmedia Command: Enter the following command in Terminal, replacing "MyVolume" with the name of your USB drive and "[Version Name]" with the name of your macOS version (e.g., "Ventura"):

bash
   sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [Version Name].app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --nointeraction
   

bash
   sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Ventura.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --nointeraction
   

5. Wait for Completion: The process may take several minutes. Once it's complete, the Terminal will notify you.

Automated Method Using EaseUS Partition Master

1. Download EaseUS Partition Master: Get the EaseUS Partition Master for Mac from their official website.

2. Launch EaseUS Partition Master: Open the application and navigate to the macOS Installer Creator section.

3. Select macOS Version: Choose the macOS version you want to create an installer for. The tool can download it automatically if needed.

4. Select USB Drive: Choose the USB drive you want to use for the bootable installer.

5. Create Installer: Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process. This method automatically formats the USB drive.

Booting from the Installer

- For Apple Silicon Macs: Shut down your Mac, connect the USB drive, turn it on, and hold the power button until you see the startup options window. Select the bootable installer and click "Continue."

- For Intel Macs: Restart your Mac, immediately hold the "Option (Alt)" key, release it when the Startup Manager appears, select the bootable installer, and press "Return."

Additional Tools

If you prefer other tools, you can also use TINU or OpenCore-Patcher (GUI) for creating bootable macOS installers. These tools provide a user-friendly interface and can automate parts of the process.

**TINU allows you to create a bootable installer without using Terminal commands and can format the USB drive automatically. It supports multiple macOS versions and is open-source.

**OpenCore-Patcher (GUI) is primarily used for creating macOS installers for non-Apple hardware but can also be used on compatible Macs. It provides a simple interface for downloading and installing macOS on a USB drive.