Need to create a bootable USB drive for MacOS Sonoma, using an older Macbook that has Monterey

Question

Need to create a bootable USB drive for MacOS Sonoma, using an older Macbook that has Monterey

Hi

I have a Macbook Pro M1, that needs to be recovered. To do this I need to create a bootable USB.

The other laptop I have is an old Macbook Air running MacOS Monterey.

I have spent a long time trying to find a way to do this by looking at the other threads and youtube videos.

But nothing is working.

The issue is that my older Macbook air can only create a bootable drive with Monterey as it does not support newer versions of Mac OS. And the Macbook Pro running Sonoma does not support Monterey.

It is strange that we can do this on Windows and not on an older Mac.

Please provide your suggestions and ideas.

Thanks

Posted on Dec 5, 2024 1:34 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Owl-53

Level 10

104,659 points

Dec 5, 2024 3:16 AM in response to akhilyadavind

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

The Bootable Installer can Only be performed on an Apple Computer

There are some who Claim it can be dome on a MS Windows computer but when confronted have yet to supply documented evidence

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 Sonoma would have to be done on a computer that Qualifies to run Sonoma

Notation: If the computer being used to perform this action is Too New or Too Old to qualify to run the version of macOS - this computer can’t be used.

Alternative is, to gain access to a Qualifying Apple Computer from a family member, friend or associate.

Reply

Answer 2

Dec 6, 2024 9:37 AM in response to akhilyadavind

What OS shipped on the M1 from the factory? If it shipped with Big Sur or Monterey, then you can use the older Intel Mac to create a bootable macOS 12.x Monterey USB installer using the instructions in the following Apple article:

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

Otherwise you will need access to another Mac compatible with Sonoma which is generally a model from 2018 to mid-2024. Or you will need to perform a DFU firmware Restore to reset the M1 (I'm not sure which OS will be pushed onto the internal SSD, but at least it will allow you to boot the M1 & create a bootable Sonoma USB installer). The last time I performed a DFU firmware Restore, it unfortunately required using another Mac running macOS 15.x Sequoia.

Reply