Run Tahoe Installer From external sata sdd m4 mac mini

[iosuser21]

is this possible i use to do in the old days on portable hdd when apple used intel just curious i know you can do it with a usb stick!

i know apple have change thing security wise since the old days

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

You can use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume as a startup disk from which to install the Mac operating system. These steps are primarily for system administrators and other experienced users.

support.apple.com

 

[Ben J.]

The Apple support page that Freakineurekan linked to has very clear instructions on how to create a 'bootable macOS installer', except it doesn't make it clear that this can be created on any drive. This is why many thinks it has to be on a stick or thumbdrive.

Just create a HFS+ partition using Disk Utilities, on any drive, an APFS volume won't work because it must be HFS+. You might even do it on your internal. Boot from it and install macOS anywhere. 30 or 40GB will do fine. You can also have more than one.

I don't know for certain, but I suspect using a second mac in 'disk target mode' won't work for this, like it could on older systems.

 

[Fishrrman]

If you want a bootable installer drive, my suggestions:

Get a USB flash drive, 32gb or larger.
It should be USB3, or USB3.1 gen2.
(DO NOT attempt to use a platter-based HDD for this job)

Use the FREE utility app named "Mist" to download the installer app and create your bootable flashdrive in a single, integrated operation. It works very well.

You can get Mist here:
info page

GitHub - ninxsoft/Mist: A Mac utility that automatically downloads macOS Firmwares / Installers.

A Mac utility that automatically downloads macOS Firmwares / Installers. - ninxsoft/Mist

github.com

download page

Release 0.30 · ninxsoft/Mist

Added support for macOS Tahoe 26 🎉 Updated app icon to support new appearances on macOS Tahoe Fixed a bug that prevented macOS Installers from being created on devices running macOS Sequoia 15 or l...

github.com

(download the ".dmg" file)

 

[iosuser21]

DO NOT attempt to use a platter-based HDD for this job

While am not using one of those am using a sata ssd any reason not to do it the way you metion!

Relating Mist it what am using i do have a usb drive that i was gonna install the Sequoia installer incase running the installer from a sata ssd didnt work

 

[Fishrrman]

The problem (or it may not be) that I see in trying to use an SSD is that Mist (or any other way you create a bootable installer) is going to take over and reformat the ENTIRE SSD to create the install media.

If the SSD is, say, 512gb, then you are going to end up with a 512gb install drive.

This is why a USB flashdrive is best for this job. 32gb or larger in size.
I again recommend USB3.0 or USB3.1 gen2 because of the extra speed.

 

[kitKAC]

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

You can use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume as a startup disk from which to install the Mac operating system. These steps are primarily for system administrators and other experienced users.

support.apple.com

Partition the drive and use the instructions here; only the partition will be used for the installer.

 

[chrfr]

The problem (or it may not be) that I see in trying to use an SSD is that Mist (or any other way you create a bootable installer) is going to take over and reformat the ENTIRE SSD to create the install media.

If the SSD is, say, 512gb, then you are going to end up with a 512gb install drive.

This is why a USB flashdrive is best for this job. 32gb or larger in size.
I again recommend USB3.0 or USB3.1 gen2 because of the extra speed.

Mist will just use whatever partition you give it to create the installer, not the entire disk.

 

[losthismarbles]

If you're like me, cables hidden (which also means cables perma-attached beneath desks, inside walls, etc. etc.), aka cables not so easily taken out, do keep in mind!

i) you can't plug that stick/drive into just any port,
ii) you can't plug that stick/drive via a USB hub, even if it's in the correct port; has to be straight in the Mac's plug.

Unrelated to cables but since no one told you already,

iii) flashing that stick can -factors depending- take a looooong time. You won't do this in 10 or 20 minutes.

Kinda learned that the hard way.. 😛