How to run OS Catalina from external USB (Current OS - Sierra)

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How to run OS Catalina from external USB (Current OS - Sierra)

I am having problems running OS Catalina from a USB (want to try it out before full installation) on my MacBook Pro (Currently OS Sierra). I have followed the help guide, How to create a bootable installer for macOS

https://support.apple.com/en-sg/HT201372, but am having a problem understanding the code, especially this part:

* If your Mac is using macOS Sierra or earlier, include the --applicationpath argument and installer path, similar to the way this is done in the command for El Capitan.

Can anyone give me any pointers/tips?

FYI, I have no experience with coding.

Thanks!

Posted on Jan 19, 2021 11:17 PM

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Answer 1

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,688 points

Jan 19, 2021 11:43 PM in response to MacProNovice82

Does your mac with Sierra installed meet the criteria for running Catalina, only

macs from 2012 and newer can install Catalina.

Insert your USB flash drive directly into your mac (the flash drive should be 16GBs or larger)

rename it MyVolume.

Confirm that the Install macOS Catalina.app is in the Applications folder on your macOS internal drive.

All you have to do is copy and paste the command below into Terminal.

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Catalina.app

press Return

follow the prompts

after initially giving a progress report Terminal will fall silent, don't worry this

process will take up to 30 minutes when done you will see the terminal prompt

<yourusername>$

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How to run OS Catalina from external USB (Current OS - Sierra)

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