cannot create a yosemite bootable usb flash

Edit: This response was for @adedayo96.

Here are the Apple instructions:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

Use the example for El Capitan. You will need to modify it slightly in two places to account for the different application name for the installer, otherwise the rest of the paths in the command should be the same. Compare the command to Sierra to see what I mean.

Assuming Apple keeps the same naming convention for the Yosemite installer found in the Applications folder, the following command should be the Yosemite equivalent to create the USB installer (make sure you USB stick is properly erased as "MyVolume":

sudo  /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia  --volume  /Volumes/MyVolume  --applicationpath  /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app

If you cannot get the instructions to work, then please post a screenshot of the command used and the output. There is a chance that the Yosemite installer is different than the more recent ones. If there are no errors in creating the USB installer and it won't boot, then try using another brand of USB stick as Macs can be very picky.

ramsey215 wrote:

Hi HWTech. I am having the same issue and it won't let me install anything to the Applications folder. It just says it is "not allowed" on my new laptop. Really I am trying to put any OS (likely Yosemite or El Capitan) on an old iMac that was completely wiped and that seems like the only way to do it as downloading directly doesn't seem to be working. Any help is appreciated!

Make sure to first use the Finder to mount the downloaded .dmg file for El Capitan or Yosemite.

I'm providing a template of the extraction command from memory since I don't have access to a Mac to confirm exact path names.

The easiest way to ensure the correct path is used is is by typing the first part of the command and leaving a space. Then dragging & dropping the "InstallMacOSX.pkg" file (or whatever it is called) onto the Terminal window so the actual path is filled in automatically.

Begin by typing in the Terminal:

sudo  pkgutil  --expand  

Now use the Finder to drag & drop the "InstallMacOSX.pkg" file (or whatever it is called) from the mounted .dmg volume onto the Terminal window. Then continue typing this to complete the command:

/Applications/installer

The final command will look something like this, but since I don't know the name of the source volume I cannot give you the exact path to use:

sudo  pkgutil  --expand  /Volumes/macOS\ Installer/InstallMacOSX.pkg   /Applications/installer

Press the "Return" key at the end of the line/command to execute it.

You should now have a folder called "installer" located in your Applications folder. Within this "installer" folder you should see the actual Yosemite or El Capitan installer app. Just move this installer app into the main Applications folder. You can delete the now empty "installer" folder and eject the mounted .dmg volume.

Now you should be able to create a bootable USB installer by following the instructions in my earlier post.

I assume you downloaded a .dmg file. Can you open it by double-clicking it? If so, is there a .pkg file? Double-click on the .pkg installer which should "install" the installer to the "Applications Folder" where you can then use the Terminal app to create a bootable USB drive. If, however, the system won't let you "install" the installer to the Applications folder, then let me know as I can provide some Terminal command to due it manually.

If the .dmg file doesn't contain a .pkg installer or it is a different type of file, then provide the name of the file(s).

I was able to download Yosemite (as well as El Capitan, and others) from here: https://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/mac-software/download-old-os-x-3629363/#toc-3629363-5

Good luck everyone!

Hi HWTech. I am having the same issue and it won't let me install anything to the Applications folder. It just says it is "not allowed" on my new laptop. Really I am trying to put any OS (likely Yosemite or El Capitan) on an old iMac that was completely wiped and that seems like the only way to do it as downloading directly doesn't seem to be working. Any help is appreciated!

You are most welcome. Thank you for updating us with the results as this can help others.

Would you mind posting the link you had for downloading Yosemite? That would be the only missing piece here.

I'm glad we were able able to get you back up and running again.

Thank you for this. I somehow managed to get Sierra to download directly finally so I did not need to do this but I really appreciate the detail and speed of your response.