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create bootable USB Drive

I need to do a fresh install of SIerra, but the 12mb download from the store does not have the ability to create an installation media. Where can I download the full size installer?

I get this error when I run the createinstallmedia command

/Applications/Install macOS High Sierra.app does not appear to be a valid OS installer application.

Posted on Mar 21, 2019 3:32 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 21, 2019 4:58 AM

What you have is what is known as a 'stub' installer. Your right it cannot be used to build a bootable USB drive. These stub installers are a pain in the neck.


This article discusses one method - http://osxdaily.com/2017/09/27/download-complete-macos-high-sierra-installer/


However the way I do it is to use a script from here - https://github.com/munki/macadmin-scripts/blob/master/installinstallmacos.py


You run this script in Terminal.app it then lists installers available to download that suit the Mac model you are running on. Currently it lists both High Sierra and Mojave installers. It will download the full installer and create a disk image containing it, you could then mount this disk image and use the enclosed installer to build a bootable USB installer.

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Mar 21, 2019 4:58 AM in response to jdheeter

What you have is what is known as a 'stub' installer. Your right it cannot be used to build a bootable USB drive. These stub installers are a pain in the neck.


This article discusses one method - http://osxdaily.com/2017/09/27/download-complete-macos-high-sierra-installer/


However the way I do it is to use a script from here - https://github.com/munki/macadmin-scripts/blob/master/installinstallmacos.py


You run this script in Terminal.app it then lists installers available to download that suit the Mac model you are running on. Currently it lists both High Sierra and Mojave installers. It will download the full installer and create a disk image containing it, you could then mount this disk image and use the enclosed installer to build a bootable USB installer.

create bootable USB Drive

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