Apple’s latest macOS release, macOS Tahoe (also known as macOS 26), is finally here. Similar to iOS 26, the new macOS 26 update brings the stunning Liquid Glass effect across all eligible Macs. Alongside the major UI refresh, macOS Tahoe also packs a host of new features. With improved customization options, macOS Tahoe makes it easier than ever to personalize your Mac experience.
Now that the stable version for macOS 26 is now live, many users are eager to install it on their Macs. The best way to upgrade your Mac is by creating a simple and easy-to-use bootable USB install drive. A bootable install drive makes the installation process simple, quick, and easy to install on any type of compatible device.
Creating a bootable install drive is always a good practice, as it makes it easier to install the update if your system has run into an issue or if you do not have access to the internet to download the update. So let’s take a look at how to create a bootable USB drive for macOS Tahoe.
How to Make a Bootable USB Install Drive for macOS Tahoe
Before we take a look at the steps needed to create the bootable drive, there are a few things that you will need.
Prerequisites
- A 32GB (or more) USB flash drive
- macOS Tahoe pkg file (download steps below)
- macOS Tahoe compatible device
- Take a backup of your Mac
Now let’s take a look at the Mac devices that are compatible with macOS Tahoe.
macOS Tahoe Compatible Devices
Here is a list of all the official devices that can run the brand new macOS Tahoe:
MacBook Pro Compatible with macOS Tahoe
- MacBook Pro 13-inch 2020 4x Thunderbolt 3 ports
- MacBook Pro 13-inch M1 2020
- MacBook Pro 13-inch M2 2022
- MacBook Pro 14-inch 2021
- MacBook Pro 14-inch 2023
- MacBook Pro 14-inch 2024
- MacBook Pro 16-inch 2019
- MacBook Pro 16-inch 2021
- MacBook Pro 16-inch 2023
- MacBook Pro 16-inch 2024
MacBook Air Compatible with macOS Tahoe
- MacBook Air 13-inch M3 2024
- MacBook Air 13-inch M4 2025
- MacBook Air 15-inch M2 2023
- MacBook Air 15-inch M3 2024
- MacBook Air 15-inch M4 2025
- MacBook Air M1 2020
- MacBook Air M2 2022
iMac Compatible with macOS Tahoe
- iMac 24-inch 2023, 2x ports
- iMac 24-inch 2023, 4x ports
- iMac 24-inch 2024, 2x ports
- iMac 24-inch 2024, 2x ports
- iMac 24-inch M1, 2021
- iMac Retina 5K 27-inch 2020
Mac mini Compatible with macOS Tahoe
- Mac mini 2023
- Mac mini 2024
- Mac mini M1 2020
Mac Studio Compatible with macOS Tahoe
- Mac Studio 2022
- Mac Studio 2023
- Mac Studio 2025
Mac Pro Compatible with macOS Tahoe
- Mac Pro 2019
- Mac Pro 2023
Format the USB Flash Drive
Formatting USB flash drive is required to turn it into a bootable USB drive for macOS Tahoe. Formatting the USB drive will help remove or empty out all the contents stored inside the USB drive. In case you have some important data, make sure to save a copy of those files to either your cloud storage or your macOS device’s storage drives.
- Plug the USB drive into your macOS device.
- Now, launch the Disk Utility app on your macOS device.
- Select the USB drive from the left-sided panel and select the Erase option.
- Now, name the USB drive and select the format style as macOS Extended (Journaled).
- Make sure to set the scheme as GUID Partition Map, and finally click on the Erase button.
And this is how you erase or format the USB drive and prepare it as a bootable USB drive.
Download the macOS Tahoe Package File
Now, it’s time to download the macOS Tahoe package file. Here are the steps that you have to follow.
- Launch Terminal on your macOS.
- Now, type in softwareupdate –list-full-installers to get the list of all the installers of macOS that are available to download.
- To download the macOS Tahoe installer to your macOS device, type in softwareupdate –fetch-full-installer –full-installer-version 26.0
- A 15GB+ file of macOS Tahoe will begin downloading to your PC.
- The downloaded macOS Tahoe file will be present in the Applications section of the Finder app.
With the file downloaded to your Mac and the USB drive ready to be created as a bootable drive, it’s now time to follow the steps to create a bootable installer.
Additionally, you can also download the macOS Tahoe file by downloading the InstallAssisant.pkg file. Simply click on this link to download macOS Tahoe directly to your macOS device or any other device of your choice.
Create a Bootable Installer for macOS Tahoe
Ensure the macOS downloaded file is named Install[version number]. For example, the file should be renamed to macOS Tahoe 26.0. With this out of the way, let’s take a look at the steps to creating the bootable USB drive for macOS Tahoe.
- Launch the Terminal on your Mac.
- Now, copy and paste this command into the Terminal.
- sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Tahoe.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/MyVolume
- It may ask for password. Once you enter the password, it will then ask to erase the USB drive. Press Y to confirm the action.
- The Terminal app will now ask if it can access the files on the removable drive. Click on the OK button.
- In a few moments, the bootable installer for macOS Tahoe will be created on your USB drive.
The USB drive will have the same name as the installer file for macOS Tahoe. Now, close the Terminal app and eject the USB drive from your Mac. It is now time to use the bootable installer to install macOS Tahoe on your Mac.
Using the Bootable Installer on Macs with Apple Silicon
Make sure that you have a working internet connection, as it will be needed in case there are updates to download and install for macOS Tahoe. Having an up-to-date system is always good. Here are the steps to install macOS Tahoe via a bootable USB drive on Apple Silicon Mac devices.
- Shut down your device.
- Now, plug the bootable USB drive that you just created into any USB port of your choice.
- Press and hold the Power button of your Mac. Keep the button pressed until Mac boots up and displays ‘Loading the startup options.’
- The startup options will display your bootable options, i.e., your installed storage drive as well as the bootable USB drive. It will automatically detect Tahoe.
- Click on Install macOS Tahoe option from the list and click on Continue.
- The installation screen should now appear on your screen. Follow the on-screen instructions and let macOS Tahoe start and complete its installation process on your device.
Using the Bootable Installer on Macs with Intel CPUs
The Mac Pro from 2019 that runs on an Intel CPU is also eligible for the update to macOS Tahoe. So, if you have an eligible macOS device that has an Intel CPU and can be updated to macOS Tahoe, follow these steps.
- Power off your Mac.
- Plug the bootable USB drive into your Mac device.
- Press the Power button once and immediately press and hold the Option key on your keyboard.
- Release the Option key when the device show bootable options like ‘Install macOS Tahoe.’
- Select the USB bootable drive (Install macOS Tahoe) from the list and press the Return key on your keyboard.
- Choose the language of your choice to proceed with the installation of macOS Tahoe on your Mac.
However, if you have a Mac device with the Apple T2 security chip, then you need to change the Startup Security Utility. Because by default, you will not be able to use the bootable installer. Here’s what you need to do.
- Power up your Mac and press the Command and R keys right after you see the Apple boot-up logo. This will boot into Recover Mode.
- Select the user and enter the administrator password for the user account.
- The macOS Utilities window will now appear.
- Here, select Utilities followed by Startup Security Utility from the menu bar of the Utilities window.
- You will be asked to enter the password for your macOS user account.
- Make sure that under Secure Boot, you have selected the Full Security option and under Allowed Boot Media, you have selected the Allow booting from external or removable media.
And this is how you can enable bootable drives on Macs that have the Apple T2 security chip.
This concludes everything that you need to know on how to create a bootable USB drive of macOS Tahoe and install on compatible Mac. So, are you ready to experience macOS Tahoe with the new features and the Liquid Glass UI? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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