How to Create a Bootable macOS Mojave 10.14 USB Flash Drive

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Introduction

macOS Mojave 10.14 was a significant release, bringing several exciting features and improvements to the Mac operating system. If you want to install macOS Mojave on multiple devices or perform a clean installation, creating a bootable USB flash drive is an excellent option. A bootable USB allows you to install or upgrade macOS without the need for an internet connection and offers a portable solution for troubleshooting and system recovery. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of how to create a bootable macOS Mojave 10.14 USB flash drive.

Mojave History

macOS Mojave 10.14 is the fifteenth major release of Apple’s macOS operating system. It was announced at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 4, 2018, and released to the public on September 24, 2018.

Key features of macOS Mojave

  • Dark Mode: Introduced a system-wide dark color scheme, providing a more comfortable viewing experience in low-light conditions.
  • Dynamic Desktop: Enabled wallpapers that changed based on the time of day.
  • Stacks: Organized desktop clutter by automatically stacking files into groups based on file type.
  • Continuity Camera: Allowed users to capture photos or scans using an iPhone or iPad and directly import them into Mac applications.
  • Enhanced Finder: Mojave brought a new Gallery View and improved file management options.
  • Group FaceTime: Enabled video and audio conferencing with up to 32 participants.
  • Improved Security and Privacy: Added enhanced privacy controls and protections to Safari, Mail, and other apps.
  • News, Stocks, and Home: Mojave introduced new Apple News, Stocks, and Home apps from iOS to macOS.
  • Updated Mac App Store: Received a redesigned interface and featured more editorial content.

macOS Mojave was generally well-received by users and developers for its visual improvements, increased security, and additional utility features.

Majove end of Support

Apple officially ended support for macOS Mojave with the release of macOS Big Sur (macOS 11) on November 12, 2020. After that, macOS Mojave did not receive any more major updates or new features. However, Apple continued to provide security updates and bug fixes for macOS Mojave for some time after macOS Big Sur’s release, ensuring that users had a secure and stable computing experience.

It’s worth noting that the specific end-of-support date may vary for different macOS versions, but generally, Apple supports the current and two previous macOS releases with regular updates and security patches. Users are encouraged to keep their macOS up-to-date to ensure they have access to the latest features and security enhancements.

macOS Mojave System Requirements

Minimum System Requirements for macOS Mojave:

  • Mac computer: macOS Mojave is compatible with the following Mac models:
    • MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
    • MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
    • MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
    • Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
    • iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
    • iMac Pro (2017 or newer)
    • Mac Pro (Late 2013, Mid 2010, and Mid 2012 models with recommended Metal-capable GPU)
  • Processor: macOS Mojave requires a Mac with a 64-bit Intel processor. It does not support older 32-bit Macs.
  • Memory (RAM): Apple recommends having at least 4 GB of RAM, but more RAM will provide better performance, especially if you plan to run memory-intensive applications or multitask heavily.
  • Graphics: macOS Mojave uses Metal, a graphics technology from Apple that requires a Metal-capable graphics card. For optimal performance, it’s recommended to have a supported Metal graphics card with at least 1 GB of VRAM.
  • Storage: You need at least 12.5 GB of available storage space on your Mac’s hard drive or SSD to install macOS Mojave.

Before upgrading to macOS Mojave, it’s essential to back up your important data and files. Additionally, check the compatibility of your software applications, as some older 32-bit apps may not work on Mojave, which only supports 64-bit applications.

Keep in mind that it’s always a good idea to verify the compatibility and system requirements for any macOS version on Apple’s official website or through system updates.

Check Your Current Mac Model

To check your current Mac model, you can follow these steps:

  • Click on the Apple logo () in the top left corner of your screen.
  • Select “About This Mac” from the dropdown menu. A window will appear with an overview of your Mac’s information.
  • In the “Overview” tab, you should see information about your Mac, including the model name and the release year.

If you need more specific information about your Mac’s hardware configuration, you can click on the “System Report…” button in the same window. This will open the System Information application, where you can find detailed information about your Mac’s hardware components and specifications.

Getting Started

Before you get started, ensure you have the following items:

  • A Mac computer running macOS Mojave or later.
  • A USB flash drive with at least 16GB of storage capacity (preferably a USB 3.0 for faster performance).
  • macOS Mojave 10.14 installer app, which can be downloaded from the Mac App Store.

Download macOS Mojave Installer

  • Open the App Store on your Mac.
  • Search for “macOS Mojave” using the search bar.
  • Click on the macOS Mojave installer when it appears.
  • Click the “Download” button to initiate the download process.
  • Wait for the download to complete. This may take some time, depending on your internet speed.
  • You may also find it on the Apple web site at this link: Download macOS Mojave 10.14.

Format the USB Flash Drive  macos usb flash drive

  • Connect the USB flash drive to your Mac.
  • Launch the “Disk Utility” application, which can be found in the “Applications” > “Utilities” folder.
  • In Disk Utility, select your USB flash drive from the left sidebar.
  • Click on the “Erase” button from the top toolbar.
  • Provide a name for your USB drive (e.g., “Mojave_Installer”) and choose “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” as the format.
  • Click “Erase” to format the USB flash drive. This will erase all existing data, so ensure you’ve backed up any essential files beforehand.

Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive

  • Open Terminal, which can be found in the “Applications” > “Utilities” folder. Alternatively, you can use Spotlight (Command + Space) and type “Terminal” to find it quickly.
  • In Terminal, type the following command to create the bootable USB drive:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/Mojave_Installer –nointeraction

Replace “Mojave_Installer” with the name you provided for your USB flash drive in Disk Utility.

  • Press “Enter” and enter your admin password when prompted. Note that you won’t see the password characters as you type.
  • Terminal will now start creating the bootable USB flash drive. This process may take some time, so be patient.

Verify and Eject the USB Flash Drive

  • Once the Terminal finishes creating the bootable USB drive, it will display “Copy complete” and “Done.” You can now verify the bootable USB drive’s integrity by entering the following command in the Terminal:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/YourUSBDriveName –check

  • Again, replace “YourUSBDriveName” with the name of your USB flash drive. Press Enter to start the verification process.
  • Once the verification is complete, you can eject the USB flash drive by either right-clicking on its icon on the desktop and selecting “Eject” or using the Disk Utility application.
  • Congratulations! You have created your bootable macOS Mojave USB flash drive!

Boot from the Bootable USB Drive

Now that your bootable macOS Mojave USB flash drive is ready, you can use it to install macOS Catalina or boot into recovery mode to troubleshoot your Mac. Here’s how to boot from the USB drive:

  • Insert the bootable USB flash drive into an available USB port on your Mac.
  • Restart your Mac while holding down the “Option” (⌥) key on your keyboard.
  • You will see a list of available startup drives. Select the “Install macOS Mojave” or “MojaveInstaller” drive and press “Enter” to start the macOS Mojave installer.

The Mac Medic Utility Option

If you don’t want to go through the process of downloading the macOS Mojave installer and making a bootable USB flash drive, there’s another option available. You can buy the Mac Medic Utility for macOS Mojave, which comes on a bootable USB flash drive. It also includes clear instructions on how to perform a full installation or upgrade of Mojave on your Mac. To purchase the Mac Medic Utility for Mojave, simply click on the following link: Mac Medic Utility for Mojave.

Conclusion

Creating a bootable macOS Mojave 10.14 USB flash drive is a valuable skill that allows you to install or upgrade macOS on multiple devices without an internet connection. This portable solution also comes in handy for troubleshooting and system recovery purposes. By following the step-by-step guide in this blog post, you’ll be able to create a bootable USB flash drive with ease and harness the power of macOS Mojave 10.14 on any compatible Mac device.

Article 109: MacMedicStore.com