Installing MacOS from a USB to an External Hard Drive

If you are looking to install macOS on an external hard drive, you are in the right place. This article will guide you through the step-by-step process of installing macOS from a USB to an external hard drive.

Why Install macOS on an External Hard Drive?
Installing macOS on an external hard drive can be beneficial in several ways. Firstly, it allows you to carry your macOS setup with you wherever you go, enabling you to use your favorite operating system on any computer with ease. Additionally, installing macOS on an external hard drive can be a great way to test out new macOS versions or create a backup of your existing setup.

What You Need:
To get started, you will need the following items:
1. A Mac computer
2. An external hard drive with sufficient storage space
3. A macOS installer (downloaded from the Mac App Store)
4. A USB flash drive (at least 16GB in size)

Step 1: Prepare the External Hard Drive
Before starting the installation process, make sure your external hard drive is formatted correctly. Connect the drive to your Mac, open Disk Utility (found in the Utilities folder), select your external hard drive, and click on the “Erase” tab. From there, choose “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” as the format and give it a name.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Installer
To create a bootable USB installer for macOS, follow these steps:
1. Download the macOS installer from the Mac App Store.
2. Insert your USB flash drive into your Mac.
3. Open Terminal (found in the Utilities folder) and type in the following command: sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Big\ Sur.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/MyVolume. (Replace “MyVolume” with the name of your USB flash drive).
4. Press “Enter” and enter your administrator password when prompted.
5. Wait for the process to complete; it may take some time.

Step 3: Install macOS on the External Hard Drive
Now that you have a bootable USB installer, it’s time to install macOS on your external hard drive.
1. Connect the external hard drive to your Mac.
2. Restart your Mac and hold down the “Option” key.
3. Select the USB flash drive from the startup disk menu and press “Enter.”
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS on the external hard drive.
5. Once the installation is complete, restart your Mac and hold down the “Option” key again.
6. Select the external hard drive with macOS installed as the startup disk.

Step 4: Configure macOS on the External Hard Drive
After selecting the external hard drive as the startup disk, macOS will boot up from the external hard drive. Follow the initial setup prompts and configure macOS to your liking. You can transfer your files, install apps, and personalize your settings, just like you would on a regular macOS installation.

Final Thoughts:
Installing macOS on an external hard drive opens up a world of possibilities. Whether you want to carry your macOS setup wherever you go or test out new versions, this guide has provided you with the necessary steps to get started. With a bootable USB installer and a formatted external hard drive, you are ready to enjoy macOS on any computer. Enjoy the flexibility and convenience that come with a portable macOS installation!