How do I create Bootable USB for old MacBook on a new MacBook

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How do I create Bootable USB for old MacBook on a new MacBook

I have an old (pretty much dead) Mid-2012 MacBook Pro (15) with a aftermarket SSD and new battery. Want to see if I can get it running (it won't start) with an old OS for my kids to have for Netflix etc. (It's worked fine for the last 2 years since I was given it free by a friend).

I have the new 2022 MacBook Pro 16.

I have researched how to do this but am having trouble getting the correct files onto the USB (using the new Mac) to then boot it on the old Mac. When I try to extract the .pkg to the Applications folder it just says "Is OS can't run on this device" and the process dies before I can run the Teminal command.

Questions:

How do I get the correct files (and what are they) onto the USB?
When I boot from the USB on the old machine is it possible/easy to do a clean install and just wipe everything - which is what I want.

Thanks for any help.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Dec 27, 2022 7:08 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 28, 2022 2:12 PM in response to 4tcmo

Then there is some issue with your home network, router, or your ISP, or your local Internet. Try Internet Recovery Mode at another physical location hopefully with a different ISP and a faster more reliable network connection.

Or see if you can find someone with an older Qualifying Mac where you can download and create a bootable macOS USB installer. For a compatible OS for a 2012 laptop, a Qualifying Mac is generally one from 2008 to 2019 so you can create a bootable macOS 10.11 (2008 - 2015), or macOS 10.15 (2012 to 2019) USB installer using the instructions in this Apple article (the Qualifying Mac can currently be running any version of macOS):

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

Unfortunately there is no easy way to create a bootable macOS USB installer using an incompatible Mac. I did have a link at one time for using the command line to create a macOS 10.11 installer, but later on there were posts that said those instructions no longer worked...even before, they were very hard to follow even for someone very familiar with using the command line. Unfortunately Apple does not make this easy and assumes everyone has a spare compatible Mac lying around.

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Answer 2

kaz-k

Level 9

51,814 points

Dec 27, 2022 9:02 PM in response to 4tcmo

Hi,

If there is a retail AppleStore, Genius Bar or Apple Authorized Service Provider near you, You can install macOS on your MacBook Pro there. It's free.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

https://locate.apple.com/

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Answer 3

4tcmo Author

Level 1

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Dec 30, 2022 1:44 AM in response to 4tcmo

Thanks everyone. Ended up creating the Bootable USB with "Disk Drill". Worked a treat.

Yosemite installed and working.

Plenty of other problems now - about to give up on the whole thing. Have spent up ways of 3 days on it and can't sign into iCloud/iTunes/AppStore etc etc. Not worth all the stress!

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Answer 4

kaz-k

Level 9

51,814 points

Dec 27, 2022 7:21 PM in response to 4tcmo

Hi,

If you want to install macOS for your old MacBook Pro, Recovery mode is your friend.

Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 5

TheLittles

Level 10

206,421 points

Dec 27, 2022 9:05 PM in response to 4tcmo

4tcmo Said:

"How do I create Bootable USB for old MacBook on a new MacBook"

-------

For note...

Getting Older macOS Versions:

If you need something that is obsolete, then look for it on Amazon or eBay. Go to a local Goodwill store, and see if they have it there (which I've found many at).

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Answer 6

Dec 28, 2022 4:47 PM in response to 4tcmo

4tcmo wrote:

Thanks for the reply - Recovery mode won't run. I get a -6002F error code. Have Googled that and it says try connecting to modem via Ethernet - doesn't work either.

Once you have plugged in an ethernet cable directly to a port on your Router, you need to shut down the old Mac and start up in recovery anew.

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Answer 7

4tcmo Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 27, 2022 8:37 PM in response to kaz-k

Thanks for the reply - Recovery mode won't run. I get a -6002F error code. Have Googled that and it says try connecting to modem via Ethernet - doesn't work either.

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Answer 8

TheLittles

Level 10

206,421 points

Dec 30, 2022 4:30 AM in response to 4tcmo

You are welcome.

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How do I create Bootable USB for old MacBook on a new MacBook

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