How to Create a Bootable USB for OS X El Capitan

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to create a bootable USB drive for OS X El Capitan, allowing you to install the operating system on a new Mac or repair your current setup. This guide is ideal for both beginners and experienced users looking to ensure a smooth installation process.

Requirements and Preparation

To create a bootable USB drive for OS X El Capitan, you will need the following:

Hardware Requirements:

A USB drive with at least 8 GB of storage M.Unity USB drive

Software Requirements:

OS X El Capitan Installer

Before beginning, ensure all data on the USB drive is backed up, as formatting the drive will erase all existing data.

Steps to Create a Bootable USB

Step 1: Download OS X El Capitan Installer

Open the Mac App Store Search for El Capitan Click Get to download it. The installer will be saved in your Applications folder.

Step 2: Prepare the USB Drive

Insert the USB drive into your Mac. Open Disk Utility found in Applications Utilities. Select your USB drive from the list on the left. Click on Erases. Format the drive as Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Name the drive Untitled. Click Erase to format the drive.

Step 3: Create the Bootable USB

Open Terminal found in Applications Utilities. Enter the following command into the terminal and press Enter:

sudo /Applications/Install OS X El  --volume /Volumes/Untitled --applicationpath /Applications/Install OS X El  --nointeraction

You will be prompted to enter your administrator password. Type it in, and then press Enter. The process will take some time. Wait until it completes. Once done, you will see a message confirming the process is complete.

Step 4: Eject the USB Drive

Once the terminal indicates that the process is finished, you can eject the USB drive from Finder or by using the command:

diskutil eject /Volumes/Untitled

Booting from the USB Drive

To use the bootable USB drive to install OS X El Capitan:

Insert the USB drive into the Mac. Restart the Mac and hold down the Option key as it boots. Select the USB drive from the list of bootable devices. Follow the on-screen instructions to install OS X El Capitan.

Important Notes

Ensure you back up any important data on the USB drive before formatting it. Double-check that the USB drive is properly formatted and that you are using the correct command in Terminal to avoid any issues.

By following these steps, you should be able to create a bootable USB drive for OS X El Capitan successfully!