How do I get MacOS High Sierra (or any older OS) onto a USB drive for installation?

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Level 1

4 points

How do I get MacOS High Sierra (or any older OS) onto a USB drive for installation?

Currently running MacOS Monterey (MacBook Pro 2020, Intel) and when I try to download HS from the Mac App Store, I click 'Get' and it opens settings and checks to see if I can update to it instead of downloading the application.

Also, was able to find a .dmg for HS, but when I open that to get the application, it says 'this software is not supported on your system'.

Seems like there just isn't an option to get the application onto a USB anymore.

The goal is to put HS on a 2014 Mac Mini. Any alternatives are welcome, but I am trying to use the official OS.

Posted on Feb 26, 2022 3:14 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

PRP_53

Level 10

85,045 points

Feb 27, 2022 4:41 AM in response to dawson252

To perform this action will require booting from a Bootable Installer.

This will have to be performed from a Qualifying Computer to run the version of macOS to be made on the Bootable Installer. Example : Bootable Installer of Big Sur would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Big Sur.

If the computer being used to perform this action is TOO NEW or TOO OLD to run the Older Version of macOS - this computer can not be used.

The Apple Licence of Use Agreement prohibits this.

Even if the Full Version was successfully download and a USB Installer was tried to be made - it would fail

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Answer 2

BDAqua

Level 10

239,375 points

Feb 26, 2022 3:26 PM in response to dawson252

Is there an App in the DMG?

Have you tried theTerminal method?

How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple SupportacOS - Apple Support

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,375 points

Feb 27, 2022 11:17 AM in response to dawson252

Not much to explain...

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

Where MyVolume is Replaced by whatever the name of your USB stick is.

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Answer 4

dialabrain

Level 10

122,609 points

Feb 26, 2022 4:00 PM in response to dawson252

FWIW, you cannot download a version of macOS older than what your Mac shipped with. I don't know where you found a dmg of High Sierra but it wasn't from Apple.

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