MacOS – Install Macos from recovery using Bootable USB

bootcampmacosusb

I have replaced my broken HDD with a new SSD and I can't install Mac from recovery (Command+R) no matter what connection I try to connect to, I tried different networks (router via Wifi, router via Ethernet, 4G Hotspot) I mostly got Error -1005F and sometimes -2105F.

The only option left was that I download High Sierra 10.13.2 dmg file from a trusted source and I created a bootable USB using TransMac, with the only problem being, it doesn't recognize the USB (though formatted as GPT), if I restart the Macbook holding option key, it only shows a box to connect to Wifi, there are no disks to choose to boot from, I tried a USB 3.0 and a USB 2.0 devices, both didn't work.

Any idea how I can troubleshoot?

Is there a better way to install mac on my macbook pro 2011? (High Sierra compatible)

I also removed the optical drive from Macbook a while ago, installing Mac from a DVD wouldn't be an option for me.

Best Answer

Note: These instructions assume that the only internal drive is a SSD.

The procedure given below may seem lengthy, but once completed, you will not have to preform this procedure again. After installing 10.13.3, you will be able to reinstall the current version of macOS directly from Internet Recovery.

  1. Boot to Internet Recovery
  2. Use the Disk Utility app to initialize the SSD for Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
  3. Install 10.7.5.
  4. Boot to 10.7.5.
  5. Download 10.13.3 installer app from the App Store. If this is not possible, then first upgrade to 10.11.6.
  6. Transfer the 10.13.3 installer app to a USB flash drive.
  7. Boot from the flash drive.
  8. Use the Disk Utility app to initialize the SSD for APFS or APFS (Encrypted).
  9. Install 10.13.3
  10. Boot to 10.13.3
Related Question