Can't create ubuntu bootable usb on my mac

Make a new virtual machine and use free tools to do that.

Fedora Media Writer is an official, free, cross-platform bootable media creation tool from the Fedora Project. It offers one-click download, writing, and verification, works perfectly with the entire Fedora series, and also supports custom ISO files. Most importantly, it lets you easily make ubuntu bootable usb on mac with stable performance across all systems and platforms.

User Guide

• Obtain the appropriate system version from the official website, complete installation, and launch the application.
• Choose your desired Fedora edition (Workstation/Server/Spins) from the main interface, or click 'Custom Image' to import a local ISO file.
• Insert a USB drive with at least 8GB capacity. The tool will automatically detect removable devices; manually confirm the target USB drive.
• Click 'Write', enter your system password, then await completion of download.
• Eject Upon Completion: Once prompted with 'Write successful', safely eject the USB drive. Your bootable drive is now ready.

As an official free tool, its core strengths lie in its straightforward operation, stable reliability, and built-in verification functionality. Not only does it provide seamless support for the Fedora series of systems, but it also lets users easily make ubuntu bootable usb on mac with consistent, high-quality results. The entire process is completely accessible, entirely free, and boasts an exceptionally high success rate. Should you require a swift, secure, and cost-free method to create Ubuntu or Fedora installation USB drives on your Mac, this tool offers a simple, hassle-free solution.

You can use NetBoot Ubuntu to create Ubuntu bootable USB on Mac is a handy method that leverages network booting technology to set up your bootable drive. Here's how you can do it:

1. Prepare the NetBoot Server: First, you need to set up a NetBoot server on your Mac or another machine. This server hosts the Ubuntu network installer files and allows your Mac to boot over the network.

2. Download Ubuntu NetBoot Files: Obtain the Ubuntu NetBoot image files from the official Ubuntu website. These files contain the minimal installer needed to start the Ubuntu installation process via network.

3. Configure Your Mac to Boot from Network: Restart your Mac and access the Startup Manager (by holding the Option key during boot). Choose the network boot option, which should now be available if you've set up the NetBoot server correctly.

4. Boot into the Network Installer: Your Mac will boot into the Ubuntu network installer environment. Follow the on-screen instructions to select your language, keyboard layout, and other preferences.

5. Connect and Prepare Your USB: When prompted, connect your USB drive. The installer will detect the USB and allow you to write the Ubuntu system onto it.

6. Create the Bootable USB: Use the installer’s options to write the Ubuntu installation image directly to the USB. This process effectively create Ubuntu bootable USB on Mac via network boot.

7. Finish and Boot from USB: Once the process completes, shut down the network installer, disconnect from the network, and restart your Mac. Use the Startup Manager (hold Option during boot) to select the USB drive and boot into your newly created Ubuntu USB.

How to use VirtuaIBox to Create Ubuntu Bootable USB on Mac:

1. Install VirtuaIBox

2. Set up a new Ubuntu VM

Create a new VM in VirtuaIBox, assign some RAM and storage, and attach the ISO as the startup disk.

3. Boot into Ubuntu inside VirtuaIBox

Start the VM and go through the Ubuntu installation process.

Once Ubuntu is running inside the VM, you have an environment to work within.

4. Connect your USB drive to the VM

Plug in your USB drive.

In VirtuaIBox, go to Devices > USB > [Your USB device] to pass the USB to the VM.

5. Create Ubuntu bootable USB on Mac from within the VM

Inside Ubuntu VM, open a terminal.

Use tools to write the ISO to your USB.

Example command:

sudo dd if=/path/to/ubuntu of=/dev/sdX bs=4M status=progress && sync

Replace /dev/sdX with your actual USB device.

6. Shutdown VM and eject the USB

Safely eject your USB drive from the VM.

Your USB is now a bootable Ubuntu installer.

To create Ubuntu bootable USB on Mac. Using WebUSB combined + local server can be a practical approach when you want to create an Ubuntu bootable USB on Mac. Here's how the process works in essence:

First, WebUSB is a web technology that allows websites to communicate directly with USB devices connected to your computer. This means you can develop a web-based interface that can interact with your USB drives without needing special software.

To leverage WebUSB for creating a Ubuntu bootable USB on Mac, you would set up a local server—a small web server running on your Mac—that hosts a web application designed to handle the USB device operations. This web app would request permission to access your USB drive via the WebUSB API.

Run a local web server that can write to USB:

bash

# Install Node.js then:

npm install -g webusb-bootable-creator

# Starts a local web app at localhost:3000

# Uses WebUSB API in Chrome to write directly

Once permission is granted, the web application can communicate directly with the USB device, allowing you to write the Ubuntu ISO image onto the USB stick. This method can provide a more streamlined and potentially safer way to create Ubuntu bootable USB on Mac, especially if you want to avoid using traditional command-line tools or third-party apps.

Creating Ubuntu bootable USB on Mac can be challenging due to differences in how macOS handles disk images and bootable media, especially on Apple Silicon Macs.

Why can't you easily create Ubuntu bootable USB on macOS?

• macOS does not natively support creating bootable Linux ISO images in a way that makes the USB bootable on other machines.
• When you try to burn the ISO directly to a USB using Disk Utility or similar tools, it often results in errors like "no mountable file systems" because macOS treats ISO images differently than bootable USB drives.
• ISO images are meant to be burned or written as raw disk images, not just copied or mounted like regular files.
• Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2) introduce additional complexity because many traditional tools are not compatible or require Rosetta, and the boot process differs from Intel Macs.

The best approach to create Ubuntu bootable USB on Mac:

Best method: Use balenaEt cher

balenaEt cher is a free, cross-platform app with a simple interface.

Supports Apple Silicon Macs.

Properly writes ISO images to USB, making them bootable.

Steps:

1. Download balenaEt cher.

2. Open and run it (may need to allow in Security & Privacy).

3. Select your Ubuntu ISO.

4. Choose your USB drive.

5. Click Flash.

Raspberry Pi Imager is a lightweight, official, and free tool built by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Though designed for Raspberry Pi OS, it works perfectly for Ubuntu and is one of the simplest ways to make ubuntu bootable usb on mac for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. It’s beginner-friendly, reliable, and includes built-in verification to avoid failed boot drives, making it ideal for anyone who needs to make ubuntu bootable usb on mac quickly and safely.

How to make ubuntu bootable usb on mac

Step 1: Download and install it onto your Mac from the official website.

Step 2: Insert a USB drive.

Step 3: Open the app → Choose OS → Other general-purpose OS → select your Ubuntu version.

Step 4: Click Choose Storage and select your USB drive .

Step 5: Click Write, enter your Mac password if prompted, and wait 5–15 minutes for the process to finish.

Step 6: Once completed, safely eject the USB. Your Ubuntu bootable drive is ready.

It is the finest free tool to make ubuntu bootable usb on mac, distinguished by its straightforward operation, stable performance, and built-in verification functionality. Compact in size, it runs natively on all Mac devices with virtually no learning curve. For swiftly, securely, and freely creating Ubuntu installation media on a Mac, it stands as the preferred choice.