Mac Tutorials
How to Load Startup Options and Use a USB Flash Drive to Boot Your Apple Silicon Mac
If you’re a proud user of an Apple Macintosh computer, it’s usual to let macOS automatically load when you power up. However, situations may arise where you’d like to entrust this task to a USB flash drive, perhaps to reinstall macOS or simply experiment with a different OS. This guide will show you how to access and use the startup options on your Apple Silicon Mac to boot from a USB flash drive! 😉👍
Preparing for the Boot
First, ensure your Mac is powered off. Keep in mind that Linux distributions aren’t compatible (as of yet) with the new Apple Silicon technology. To illustrate this guide, we’ll use a USB flash drive containing a bootable macOS installer. After you’ve inserted it into your Mac, press and hold the power button for approximately 20 seconds (or until a “loading startup options” message appears on your screen). ⏱️🍎
Understanding the Startup Options Screen
As the startup options materialize, you’ll see three icons: macOS Big Sur, Macintosh HD, and Options. Here’s what each icon stands for:
- macOS Big Sur: This icon represents the bootable flash drive you’ve just plugged in. Selecting it will initiate the macOS installer that’s stored on your flash drive. 🔄
- Macintosh HD: This icon stands for your computer’s internal storage. If you opt for this, your Mac will reboot and load the macOS version presently installed on your internal storage. 🖥️📂
- Options: This icon offers numerous troubleshooting tools that can assist you in repairing or reinstalling macOS. 👨💻🛠️
Selecting a Startup Option
To choose an option, use your cursor to select an icon and a ‘Continue’ button will appear. Click on this button and your selected option will start to boot. However, this is merely a demonstration, and if you prefer your computer to start normally, there are options for that too! 👉👀
Reboot or Shutdown?
At the bottom of the startup options screen, you’ll find two commands: shutdown and restart. If you select ‘shutdown’, your computer will simply turn off, and the next time it powers up, it’ll run the macOS version stored on its internal storage. The ‘restart’ option does practically the same, but instead of turning off, your machine will restart before loading the macOS version from its internal storage. 🔄🔌
Conclusion: 🏁
Knowing how to navigate your Mac’s startup options and boot it from a USB flash drive can empower you to troubleshoot issues and explore new operating systems safely. Just remember, Linux is not yet compatible with Apple Silicon as of this guide’s publication. So, have fun and happy troubleshooting! 😉👍
FAQ
What is Apple Silicon Mac?
Apple Silicon Mac is a term used to describe Apple Macintosh computers that use Apple-designed ARM-based chips instead of traditional x86 processors.
What is a startup option?
A startup option is a setting or command that can be selected when you start your Mac. They let you control the system’s startup process.
How can I use a USB Flash Drive to boot the Apple Silicon Mac?
You can create a bootable installer for an Apple Silicon Mac on a USB flash drive, then use the startup options to boot the device from this drive.
How do I access the startup options on my Apple Silicon Mac?
To access the startup options on your Apple Silicon Mac, press and hold the power button during the startup process until you see the startup options window.
What are the benefits of booting from a USB Flash Drive?
Booting from a USB flash drive allows you to run a different operating system without changing anything on your main hard drive. It’s useful for troubleshooting or installing a new OS.
What is a bootable USB?
A bootable USB drive contains a pre-installed operating system that a computer can boot from without needing any other hard drive.
How do I create a bootable USB drive for my Apple Silicon Mac?
To create a bootable USB drive for your Apple Silicon Mac, you will need a USB flash drive and the installer for the macOS version you want to install. Follow the steps in the guide to create the drive.
Can all Apple Silicon Macs boot from a USB flash drive?
Yes, all Apple Silicon Macs should be capable of booting from a USB flash drive, but the exact process might vary depending on the specific model and macOS version.
What happens if the boot process fails?
If the boot process fails, your Mac will likely display a message to let you know what’s wrong. You may need to troubleshoot the issue or try a different boot method.
Can I use a USB flash drive to boot into recovery mode?
Yes, you can use a bootable USB drive to enter recovery mode on your Mac, which is useful if you need to perform disk repair tasks or reinstall macOS.
Is it possible to boot an Apple Silicon Mac into safe mode from a USB drive?
Yes, it is possible, but it involves special steps. Check the related section in the guide on how to do it.
Does booting from a USB drive erase my data?
No, booting from a USB drive will not erase the data on your internal hard drives unless you choose to do so.
What if my USB drive isn’t recognized during the boot process?
If your drive isn’t recognized, try disconnecting and reconnecting it, using a different USB port, or restarting your Mac. If none of those steps work, the drive itself might be faulty.
Can I boot from a USB drive on a Windows PC?
Yes, you can boot most PCs from a USB drive, but the process will be different than on a Mac.
How much storage space do I need on my USB drive to create a bootable installer?
The required amount of storage can vary, but in general, it’s good to have a drive with at least 16GB of space for creating a bootable macOS installer.
What is the difference between booting and installing from a USB drive?
Booting from a USB drive means running your Mac’s operating system from the drive, while installing from a USB drive means using the drive to install a new operating system onto your Mac’s internal hard drive.
Why won’t my Mac recognize my USB drive during the boot process?
There could be several reasons, such as your Mac’s firmware not supporting booting from USB, the drive not being properly formatted, or the drive’s bootable files being corrupted.
Can I use a USB 3.0 flash drive to boot my Apple Silicon Mac?
Yes, a USB 3.0 flash drive can be used to boot your Apple Silicon Mac, provided it’s properly formatted and contains a bootable macOS installer.
Is the process of booting from a USB drive any different when using Windows or Linux on a Mac?
Yes, the process for booting from a USB drive can be different if you’re running Windows or Linux on a Mac, and it often requires additional software or configuration.
Can I use a USB flash drive to boot another type of computer?
Yes, most modern computers can boot from USB drives. However, the process and requirements may vary, especially depending on the operating system you’re using.
Does a USB flash drive need to be empty before I can make it bootable?
While it doesn’t necessarily need to be empty, creating a bootable USB drive will typically delete all data currently on the drive.
Is booting from a USB drive safe?
Yes, as long as the source that you’re getting the bootable operating system from is trusted, booting from a USB drive is safe and will not harm your computer.
Can I boot my Apple Silicon Mac from a USB drive with a previous version of macOS?
Yes, but keep in mind not all previous macOS versions will support Apple Silicon Macs. Always verify compatibility before attempting to boot from a USB drive with an older macOS version.
Can I use the same bootable USB flash drive on multiple computers?
Yes, a single bootable USB drive can be used to boot multiple computers. However, always ensure the macOS version is compatible with all computers you plan to use it with.
What is the format of a bootable USB drive for Apple Silicon Mac?
The bootable USB drive for Apple Silicon Mac should be formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled) with a GUID Partition Map scheme.
What should I do if my Apple Silicon Mac cannot boot from a USB drive?
If your Mac is unable to boot from the USB drive, try restarting the Mac, use a different USB drive, or check if the drive is properly formatted and contains the correct macOS installer.
Why would I need to boot my Mac from a USB drive?
Booting from a USB drive is often used for troubleshooting, testing out a different operating system version, repairing disks, installing a brand new operating system, or recreating a corrupted system on your Mac.
How fast will my Mac run if I boot it from a USB drive?
The running speed of your Mac when booted from a USB drive will depend on several factors including the USB drive’s speed, the version of macOS running, and the specific tasks you’re performing.
Why can’t I see a bootable USB drive in Startup Manager?
If a bootable USB drive does not appear in the Startup Manager, it may not be properly formatted, may not contain a bootable macOS installer, or the Mac’s firmware may not support booting from USB.