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ChristianZhao's avatar
ChristianZhao
Iron Contributor
Jan 14, 2025

How Can I Create bootable usb install for macbook pro 2012 on a PC?

Hi all,

I bought a refurbished MacBook Pro 2012 without OS on it. It is very old and unable to use the Internet recovery for reinstalling macOS. How can I create bootable usb install for Macbook Pro 2012? I can't get this done on wife's MacBook Air M1 as the os (Sierra) is no longer supported by Apple. I heard this could be done on a Windows PC. If you know how to do this, please share your insights on this.

  • Tomilsonw's avatar
    Tomilsonw
    Iron Contributor

    Alas, I have encountered a similar situation before! The old MacBook Pro 2012 has no system, and the network recovery can't be used. It's really a headache. But don't worry, you can still use Windows PC to create a bootable USB install for MacBook Pro 2012.

    My method:

    1. Download macOS image: Go online to find the .dmg file of macOS Sierra or El Capitan. These two versions are most suitable for 2012 machines.
    2. Use UltraDMG to make a bootable disk:
    3. Install UltraDMG on Windows (free trial version available).
    4. Insert a 16GB or larger USB.
    5. Right-click the USB, select "Restore with Disk Image", load the downloaded macOS image, and wait for completion.
    6. After making it, plug the USB into the MacBook Pro, hold down the Option key when starting up, and select USB boot to install the system!

    It works personally, don't worry about the old model, as long as you operate it correctly, you can get it done! 🎉

  • Hannaness's avatar
    Hannaness
    Iron Contributor

    Are you going to create bootable usb install for macbook pro 2012 on a PC? Okay, here's a summary and additional tips to ensure a successful process:

    • Set Up Virtual Machine: Install the virtual machine software and create a new VM, allocating sufficient resources (CPU, RAM, disk space). Follow any specific instructions needed for running macOS on that VM.
    • Format USB Drive: Connect your USB drive to your PC and make sure to back up any important data on it, as it will be formatted.
    • Use macOS Tools: Once macOS is running in the virtual machine, use the built-in terminal and disk utilities to format the USB drive as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and create the bootable USB installer using the createinstallmedia command.
    • Final Steps: After the process is complete, eject the USB drive safely from the VM, and it should be ready for use on your MacBook Pro.

    Additional Tips

    • Performance: Ensure your PC has enough RAM and a decent CPU to run the VM efficiently.
    • Safety: Always double-check the integrity of the macOS High Sierra image to avoid installation issues.
    • Compatibility: Make sure the version of macOS you are using in your virtual machine is compatible with your hardware.

    By following these guidelines, you should be able to create bootable usb install for Macbook Pro on your PC effectively.

    • SamuelSamson's avatar
      SamuelSamson
      Iron Contributor

      Haha, this method looks complicated, especially when you need to use a virtual machine. I have tried to use a virtual machine to run macOS on Windows to create a bootable USB install for MacBook Pro 2012, but to be honest, it is very laborious and prone to various problems, such as freezing or incompatible image files.

      Later, I used ultradmg directly, which is simple and crude, and much faster to operate than a virtual machine:

      1. Download the image of macOS Sierra.
      2. Use ultradmg to write the image to USB, and it's done in a few steps.

      There is no need to mess with a virtual machine. Using the tool directly is more efficient and more friendly to older MacBooks. What do you think? 😊

  • Dvoraky's avatar
    Dvoraky
    Iron Contributor

    Creating a bootable USB drive for macOS High Sierra can be a valuable skill, especially for those looking to install or reinstall the operating system on a MacBook Pro, such as the 2012 model. While the process is straightforward on a Mac, using a PC presents its own unique challenges. However, with the aid of a macOS High Sierra virtual machine, you can effectively create a bootable USB installer.

    Before creating bootable usb install for MacBook Pro 2012, you'll need the following:

    • PC with Windows OS: Your primary machine.
    • Virtual Machine Software: Install software capable of running macOS, like VMware or Virtua1Box.
    • macOS High Sierra Image: Acquire a legitimate macOS High Sierra DMG or ISO file.
    • USB Drive: A USB drive with at least 16 GB of space.
    • Internet Connection: For downloading necessary packages and tools.

    With everything prepared, you can proceed to create your bootable USB installer for macOS High Sierra. This applies to MacBook Pro 2012/2015/2017/2018/2019 and MacBook Pro M1/M2/M3/M4.

    Make sure your PC have enough free space to create a macOS VM. Also try to use a fast USB 3.0 drive in order to save time!

  • Gabrielasip's avatar
    Gabrielasip
    Iron Contributor

    macOS uses a different file system (HFS+ or APFS), and if you try to create bootable USB install for Macbook Pro without the right format, it may not work. Make sure you format your USB to ExFAT initially through Disk Management in Windows. Not all macOS versions are compatible with the 2012 MacBook Pro. If you try to install a version that’s too advanced, you'll run into errors. Stick with versions like High Sierra (10.13) or Mojave (10.14), as these are known superstars for older hardware and should give you fewer issues than something like Big Sur or Monterey.

    Once you've created bootable usb install for Macbook Pro 2012, it’s easy to mess up the boot process on the MacBook itself. If you're not holding down the right key, you might miss the boot menu. Make sure to hold the Option key as soon as you power on the Mac. A lot of folks get impatient and either press it too late or release it too early, which can lead to booting from the internal drive instead.

    If after booting from the USB, you find yourself stuck, go to Disk Utility from the macOS Utilities menu and format the internal drive with Mac OS Extended (Journaled) or APFS. This could be vital for a smooth installation.

  • macOS Sierra (10.12) is too old to run on most of MacBook Pro. This is the reason why you can't create bootable USB install for old MacBook Pro, including:

    • MacBook Pro 2012
    • MacBook Pro 2015
    • MacBook Pro 2017
    • MacBook Pro M1
    • MacBook Pro M2

     

    To make a bootable USB for old Macs, one of the most crucial steps is to find a working dmg file that contains the bootable OS. After that, burn the dmg file to USB in order to make it bootable. You can do this on any Windows PC or Mac. There is no system requirement and compatibility issues with this trick!

    P.S. The official createinstallmedia command won't work on modern Mac if you are trying to make bootable USB install for MacBook Pro 2012/2015/2017/2018! The reason is that the macOS Install Sierra app is too old to work on a new Mac.

     

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