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How to Make a Bootable macOS Sierra USB Install Drive

If you want to do a clean install of macOS Sierra, or you have multiple Macs to install it on, then a bootable flash drive for is your best bet for easy installation. Here’s how to make one.

The Easy Option: Disk Creator

The easiest way to create a USB flash installer is with the free program, Disk Creator.

  1. Download the macOS Sierra installer and Disk Creator.

  2. Insert an 8GB (or larger) flash drive. If you have any other data on that flash drive, back it up now, because the installer will delete everything on it.

  3. Open Disc Creator and click the “Select the OS X Installer” button.

  4. Find the Sierra installer file. This is should be located in your Applications folder.

  5. Select your flash drive from the drop-down menu.

  6. Click “Create Installer.”

When it’s done, insert your USB drive into any Mac, then launch the installer by holding down the Option key when you boot up your computer.

The DIY Option: Terminal

If you don’t want to download an extra bit of software, you can make your own installer USB drive using Terminal.

  1. Download the macOS Sierra installer.

  2. Insert an 8GB (or larger) flash drive and give it a name. For this tutorial, we’ll use the name Untitled. Make sure the drive is formatted for OS X Extended (Journaled). If it isn’t, open up Disk Utility and format is so it is. Before you do so, back up any important data on that drive. It’s best to disconnect any other external hard drives or flash drives so you don’t mix them up.

  3. Open up Terminal (Applications > Utilities).

  4. Type (or copy and paste) this command into Terminal, replacing Untitled with the name of your drive, then press Enter: sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app --nointeraction &&say Done

  5. Type in your password when prompted and press Enter.

  6. Let the command line do its work and don’t interrupt it until you see the final line that says Done. This can take a while, so be patient.

When it’s done, insert your USB drive into any Mac, then launch the installer by holding down the Option key when you boot up your computer.