How to create macOS Big Sur USB Installer Disk?

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macOS Big Sur is one of the most promising macOS that we have seen in a while. After the release of macOS Yosemite, this is the only macOS on which we can count as a major release. Apple was constantly providing macOS with almost the same user interface. However, in Big Sur, the entire interface is changed. Changes are made in interface, design, applications, performance, and many more. All these features made the users excited which caused to urge to use it. So, here is how to create macOS Big Sur USB Installer Disk.

Using the USB Installer, you can install macOS Big Sur on your Mac and experience this amazingly designed OS.

Quick overview on macOS Big Sur

macOS Big Sur is the 17^th major release of macOS and the end of the macOS X series. The first beta was released on June 22, 2020, in WWDC 2020. The macOS is the first macOS to fully support Apple’s Silicon and no longer supports 32-bit applications.

Major improvements in the user interface, browser, performance, battery life, media files, and applications are made. New features like widgets on the desktop, customize the browser, and many more are also added. A refreshed design to macOS Big Sur, Control Center for Wifi and Bluetooth connectivity, Notification center, Support for Apple Designed ARM processors, Support for iOS and iPadOS apps, Signed system volume, Software updates, Spotlight, improvements to Safari, Messages, App Store, Notes, Photos, Maps, and New Apps introduced in Mac Catalyst.

You can get macOS Big Sur only in beta. The full edition is not released yet. There are rumors that it will be released by October of this year.

Why do I need a bootable installer?

Having an option of upgrading multiple Mac through a single USB drive is quite handy. You can use it by installing macOS Big Sur Installer on a USB pen drive. Use the pen drive as a startup disk and boot your computers to install the macOS. This can save you much time by withdrawing to download the installer of each of your Mac.

Before you start the procedure, here are some small tasks that you are required to complete them. The tasks are easy, simple, and compulsory. Without these, you won’t be able to create a bootable macOS Big Sur USB Installer.

1. Check compatibility

Before we start you will need to have a look at your system. Is your system compatible with macOS Big Sur? Unfortunately, macOS Big Sur can’t be used on Mac released in 2012 and 2013.if you are using Mac released in 2012 or 2013 then you will need to get a new one. Here is a list of Mac that can run macOS Big Sur.

MacBook: Early 2015 or newer
MacBook Air: Mid 2013 or newer
MacBook Pro: Late 2013 or newer
Mac Mini: Late 2014 or newer
iMac: Mid 2014 or newer
iMac Pro
Mac Pro: Late 2013 or newer

If your system is compatible with Big Sur then you should continue to next step.

2. A USB pen drive

There is a requirement of a USB pen drive. The pen drive should be at least of 16 GB storage. Try to use a pen drive of 3.0.

3. Backup your files

Now, have a backup of your files. Remember this is still a beta version, and there are numerous bugs and errors in the OS. So, try to have a backup of your file, as it is better to be safe than sorry.

Create macOS Big Sur USB Installer Disk

How to create macOS Big Sur Bootable USB Installer Disk? — create macOS Big Sur USB Installer Disk

So, let’s create a USB installer disk of macOS Big Sur without wasting any more time. These are the steps to create a bootable macOS Big Sur USB Installer Disk.

Download macOS Big Sur Installer
Prepare your external pen drive
Make it a bootable installer

Related Topic: How to upgrade to macOS Catalina?

Step 1: Download Developer Beta Access utility

For downloading the macOS Big you will need the developer’s account. To download the macOS Big Sur installer visit developer.apple.com. Now, download macOS developer beta utility. However, you can download the macOS Big Sur without developers account here. If you are downloading the macOS Big Sur without developers account then skip to step 2.

macOSPublicBetaAccessUtilityDMG — macOS Public Beta Access Utility DMG

#1 Open the macOSdeveloperbetautility.dmg file. Then run the package file.

#2 The first you will face will be the welcome window, click on the Continue button.

#3 Accept the software license agreement and click on Continue.

#4 A small pop up will appear, click on accept.

install macOS developer beta access utility

#5 Standard install on “Catalina (the name of your disk)” windows will open, click on Install.

#6 Insert the administrator’s password in the Password section, below the Username and click on Install Software.

Software_Update_Apple_Developer_Seed_Program_macOS_Beta — Software Update Apple Developer Program macOS Beta

Loading will occur, then a software dialog box will appear. Here you can see an update named macOS beta. Click on the Upgrade now. The macOS will start downloading, soon the download will be completed in the download folder and a pop-up window will appear again.

#7 Quit all the dialog boxes.

Step 2: Prepare External pen drive

Here we will prepare our pen drive so we could later use it as USB Installer Disk. So here is how to prepare you USB.

Insert a USB of at least 16 free storage to your Mac.
Now, click on GO and open the Utilities.
Open the Utilities and select your external drive. Make sure your name is untitled. The parameter of the drive should be set to APFS and the scheme is set to GUID partition MAP. Click on the Erase button on the top.

Step 3: Make it bootable

Now, we will burn the macOS on the USB driver.

macOS_Terminal — macOS_Catalina_Terminal

#1 Open terminal by spotlight. Type commend as shown in the terminal.

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ 10.15\ Beta.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/Untitled –applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ 11\ Beta.app

#2 By typing Y, you will accept the changes.

#3 Press the Return button on the keyboard and enter the administrator password of your mac. Here you are asked for the login password of Mac.

The process will begin. Remember that this process is quite slow and might take some time. There will be a time when you will think the OS has been frozen. But in reality, it is just processing the procedure. So take a while and relax.

Here is a tutorial on create macOS Big Sur bootable usb disk.

Boot macOS big Sur with bootable USB

Now, that you have created macOS Big Sur USB Installer Disk. Here is the time to use it.

Connect you’re your bootable USB of macOS Big Sur
Restart you macOS
Hold the Option key while your system powers on.
Soon, a drop-down menu will appear. Select macOS Big Sur.
When the Utility window appeared, choose disk utility. There you can erase the drive where you want to install macOS Big Sur.
Select install macOS Big Sur, and complete the procedure.

Creating macOS Big Sur USB Installer Disk is the most efficient way to install macOS Big Sur on multiple systems. However, still, if you are confused about the installation then please comment down. I would be happy to help you.