How to install macos using usb drive? Need help on this!

Create a macOS bootable USB and boot from it to install macOS. This is the step-by-step guide for doing this: https://www.appleinsidez.com/clean-install-macos-from-usb

Note: Back up the important data first as clean install would delete all the user data and apps.

How to install macOS using USB drive? I can recommend a free tool called Unibeasst that can help you create a bootable USB installer for macOS from your Windows computer.

Step 1: Download the Latest Version of UniBeasst

• Extract the UniBeasst.zip file: Extract the downloaded zip file to a folder on your Windows computer.
• Run the UniBeasst Script: Run the UniBeasst script to begin the installation process. You can select the macOS version you want to install during the process.

Step 2: Create a Bootable USB Drive

• Insert Your USB Drive: Insert the USB drive into your Windows computer. Make sure it’s at least 16 GB in size.
• Select Options: Select the USB drive as the destination for the bootable installer. You can also format the USB drive if needed.
• Begin the Creation Process: Click on the "Create Bootable USB" button to start the process. This will take some time.

Step 3: Configure Clover

• Extract Clover Configurator: Extract the Clover Configurator utility to a folder on your Windows computer.
• Configure Clover: Configure the Clover UEFI firmware using the Clover Configurator utility. You will need to set the boot order and other settings.

Step 4: Install macOS using USB drive

• Insert Bootable USB Drive: Insert the bootable USB drive into your MacBook Air.
• Power On Your MacBook Air: Immediately hold down the Option key after turning it on. This will bring up the boot manager.
• Select the USB Drive: From the boot options, select the USB drive that you just created and press Enter.
  Install macOS: You will see the macOS installer interface. Follow the prompts to install macOS.

While creating a bootable USB drive for macOS on a Windows machine is possible, it’s definitely fraught with challenges and risks. If you’re doing this just to test things out, you might want to consider alternative methods like borrowing or using a friend's Mac to set up that USB installer first. Or go for a virtual machine if you just want to dabble and don’t want to commit to the hardware quest yet. 

Common Errors to Avoid When Installing macOS Using a USB Drive on a Windows Computer:

1. Make sure to format the USB drive to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and set it to GUID Partition Map.
2. When preparing for installation, follow a detailed guide that walks you through adding a bootloader. This will help you boot macOS and navigate your Hackintosh smoothly.
3. Before booting, dive into your BIOS/UEFI settings and disable any Secure Boot features and enable UEFI mode if available. This is crucial for getting macOS to even fire up.

The approach is totally different for installing old macOS or OS X from USB drive, including Lion, El Capitan, Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina and Big Sur. These are out of dated macOS versions that only work on old models released before 2017. For them, you have to download the correct dmg file and create a bootable macOS USB installer from the dmg file. Here are the detailed steps to install macOS or OS X from USB:

Step 1: Download macOS or OS X dmg file from Apple or third-party websites.

Step 2: Download a dmg file burning on your PC or Mac.

Step 3: Connect a USB flash drive and use the app to burn dmg to USB.

Step 4: Plug in the USB into the Mac and start installing macOS or OS X from USB drive.

Tips and Troubleshooting:

1. Verify the DMG Integrity: Ensure that your DMG file is not corrupted. If the installation fails, try re-downloading the DMG from a trusted source
2. Use the Correct macOS Version: Ensure that the macOS version in the DMG is compatible with your Mac model.
3. Sufficient USB Storage: Make sure your USB drive has enough space (at least 16GB recommended).
4. Stable Power Supply: Ensure your Mac is connected to a power source during the creation and installation process to prevent interruptions.

Installing macOS on a non-Apple computer (commonly known as a Hackintosh) can be a bit tricky, but I can guide you through the process. However, please note that you'll need a compatible computer, and the process might not be straightforward.

Compatibility Check before installing macOS using USB drive:
Before we begin, ensure your Windows computer is compatible with macOS. Here are some general requirements:

• CPU: Intel Core i5 or i7 (7th generation or newer)
• Motherboard: Support for UEFI firmware
• RAM: 8GB or more
• Storage: At least 256GB of free space (preferably an SSD)
• Graphics: Compatible graphics card (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce 6 series or AMD Radeon HD 5000 series)

Tips and Precautions:

• Back up your data: Before attempting to install macOS, make sure you have backed up any important files on your MacBook Air.
• Disable Secure Boot: Make sure Secure Boot is disabled in your UEFI firmware settings.
• Set your BIOS settings: Ensure that your BIOS settings are set to allow your MacBook Air to boot from a USB drive.
• Be patient: The installation process may take several hours, so be patient and do not interrupt it.
• Troubleshooting: If you encounter any issues during the installation process, refer to the official documentation or online resources for help.

To install macOS from USB drive, the first step is to make a bootable USB. For modern macOS such as Sequoia, Sonoma, Ventura and Monterey, please borrow another Mac and use the createinstallmedia to create a bootable macOS installer.

Step 1: Open the App Store on your Mac. Search for the macOS version you wish to install (e.g., macOS Ventura). Click Download. The installer will be saved in the Applications folder once the download is complete.

Step 2: Insert the USB flash drive into your Mac. Open Disk Utility (found in Applications > Utilities). Select your USB drive from the sidebar.

Step 3: Click on Erase. Choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the format and GUID Partition Map as the scheme. Name the drive (e.g., "MyVolume") and click Erase. 

Step 4: Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities). Enter the createinstallmedia command corresponding to your macOS version. For example, for macOS Ventura, the command typically looks like this:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Ventura.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

Step 5: Replace "MyVolume" with the name of your USB drive if different. Press Enter and type your administrator password when prompted. Confirm the action by typing Y when prompted to erase the USB drive. The process will take some time. Once completed, you’ll see a message indicating that the bootable installer has been created.

Step 6: Restart your Mac while holding down the Option (⌥) key. When the Startup Manager appears, select the USB drive named Install macOS [Version]. Click Continue and follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS from USB drive.

Note: Make sure your Mac is connected to a power source during the installation to prevent interruptions. Also verify that the macOS version you are installing is compatible with your Mac model.