There are two ways to install macOS Big Sur on your Mac: using Internet Recovery and using a bootable ISO file. The first method is ideal if you have a strong and stable internet connection. But if you're in the middle of somewhere where internet connection is not reliable and you need to reinstall macOS, it helps to have a bootable ISO image file in cases of emergency.
Some advanced Mac users might also want to create an ISO image file of the macOS Big Sur installer file or other macOS installers for that matter. They can be handy for installing macOS into virtual machines, such as VirtualBox and VMWare, because the resulting installer is an ISO image. This format can be used for creating an alternative installer media, whether on an SD card, USB drive, or external hard drive. This is especially useful when the typical method of creating a bootable installer drive for macOS is not possible.
The first thing you need to know is that you can't use an ISO disk image file on a Mac, since Apple primarily uses the DMG format. However, if you merely want to burn ISO to a USB stick, that's definitely possible. The only thing you can't do is run an ISO file on an Apple computer. Let's look at the various ways to burn ISO to USB on a Mac.
- Go to File-New-Disk Image and Select the Source of the Disc. (Name of the disc will be shown). Now in the Popup box, In Save As text box, Type the Name of the image file as per your wish and select the place where to save the image file in Where section. Select the Image Format to DVD/CD Master and Keep the Encryption option as None.
- AutoDMG will prompt you to specify a name for the image file and a location to save it to. Restoring an Image. It can take some time for AutoDMG to create an image but, once finished, a never-booted asr compatible disk image is created that can be restored using any number of methods.
- Use Disk Utility to create a new empty sparse bundle disk image; Double-click the image to open it. Copy your app into the image. Make a link to /Applications in the image. Hide the toolbar/sidebar/etc. Using View Options set to always one in icon mode. Also add a background image if you like using View Options.
- It should be the default image viewer on your Mac — but you can also right click on the file, scroll down to 'Open With,' and then select Preview. Once the image is open, click on File from.
Since the macOS installer comes as an .app file and does not arrive as a disk image, you need to follow a series of steps involving commands or third-party apps to create a MacOS ISO file. We'll walk through the steps to Create macOS Big Sur ISO file and the things you need to watch out for.
Steps to Create macOS Big Sur ISO File
Creating the macOS Big Sur ISO seems like a complicated task, but it is actually very easy as long as you follow the instructions carefully. How to hack mac camera. This guide will focus mainly on how to create macOS Big Sur ISO image file, but you can also use this same approach to create an ISO file for macOS Catalina, Mojave, and other macOS versions.
Before you proceed, make sure you have enough room on your Mac for the installer file that you need to download. For Big Sur, you need at least 35GB – 46GB of free space to download both the installer and the update files. If you have a 128GB SSD, then you'll need to delete as much junk from your computer as possible. You can use a Mac cleaner, such as Outbyte MacRepair, to do a thorough job of sweeping unnecessary files from your computer.
How do you install roblox on a mac. You also need to make sure that you have a stable internet connection to prevent the download from being interrupted. If your internet connection is poor, it might lead to corrupted or incomplete downloading of the installation files, causing your ISO image file not to work.
It is also recommended to reboot your computer before you begin the process to remove any bugs or prevent glitches that could lead to various errors.
Once you've got everything in order, follow the instructions below in creating the macOS Big Sur ISO:
- First, you need to download the macOS installer application that you want to use. For macOS Big Sur, Catalina and Mojave, you can go to the Mac App Store and download the installer applications from there. For older macOS versions that you wish to make an ISO file of, you can check the Purchase tab of the App Store and download your preferred version from there.
- When you download the MacOS installer app to the /Applications folder, it will be labeled as InstallmacOSBigSur.app or something similar. Save the file in that folder and make note of the file name.
- Next, open the Terminal application by pressing Command + Spacebar, then typing Terminal in the Spotlight.
- Hit the Enter key to open the application.
- You can also launch Terminal directly from the Utilities folder.
- The next step is to create a temporary disk image by typing in the following command in Terminal, then hit Enter:
hdiutil create -o /tmp/MacBigSur -size 12500m -volname MacBigSur -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J - Then, mount the disk image using the following command:
hdiutil attach /tmp/MacBigSur.dmg -noverify -mountpoint /Volumes/MacBigSur - After this, you can use the Createinstallmedia utility, which is a part of the macOS Installer application, to copy the installer files to the temporary disk image you just created:
sudo /Applications/Install macOS Big Sur/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/MacBigSur –nointeraction - Press Enter and type in your admin password to authenticate.
- Wait for this process to be completed because this step is crucial in making the installer that will be converted to ISO.
- Once done, unmount the disk image volume using this command line and press Enter:
hdiutil detach /Volumes/MacBigSur/ - The next step is to convert the freshly created macOS installer disk image file to CDR/ISO file format that will be saved on the desktop:
hdiutil convert /tmp/MacBigSur.dmg -format UDTO -o ~/Desktop/MacBigSur.cdr - The last step is to change the file extension from .cdr to .iso using the following command, then press Enter:
mv ~/Desktop/MacBigSur.cdr ~/Desktop/BigSur.iso
Once you have completed the steps above, you should now have an ISO image file called MacBigSur.iso on your Mac desktop.
What's Next?
The macOS Big Sur ISO image file that you just created can now be used to install macOS Big Sur Macs and various virtual machines, such as VirtualBox and VMWare. It can also be burned into various media, such as external hard drives, Blu-Ray, SD Cards, and USB Flash drives.
Although you can also convert DMG and CDR files to ISO using Disk Utility, converting them with hdiutil using Terminal is a lot more convenient and efficient. And since you're already using commands when working with the createinstallmedia utility, the whole process may as well stay in the Terminal.
More importantly, this method is specifically useful for when you need to create a macOS installer ISO file for whatever reason. However, it is worth pointing out that creating the macOS Big Sur ISO is not necessary if you only want to create a bootable USB Installer for macOS Big Sur beta or other macOS versions. You can do this using the createinstallmedia commands and saving it on the installer media.
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Mac mini 3 1 mojave. An ISO file contains optical disc file system and contains elements that would be written in optical disc. It comes with .iso extension but sometime .img extension is also used in some cases like Microsoft Dreamspark. The file which doesn't contain ISO 9660 but have UDF which comes with .udf extension. It is sector by sector copy of data.
What is ISO FILE
The full form of ISO is International Organisation for Standardization. The ISO name is taken from ISO 9660, used with CD ROM media but it contain a UDF(ISO/IEC 13346) file system ( used for DVDs and Blu-ray Discs). Most of the operating systems like Unix, Linux and Mac OS have built in capability to mount an ISO. Most of the emulator uses .ISO file to create image of CD. Emulator like PCSX2, Dolphin use .iso to emulate Wii and GameCube games and Playstation 2 games respectively.
Benefits of ISO file
- It is the program file which is neatly copied in a single file and it is used to distribute large program over the internet.
- It is used to create backup of CD or DVD because it creates the exact copy carry, and converts all the data with bits from the disc. Whenever the file is copied, it lacks the header file but when iso file is created it covers all the things including the header file.
Softwares used to create iso file
- ISO Recorder
- Magic ISO
- Power ISO
- Any to ISO
What is .dmg file
DMG file is Apple disc image which is used for Mac OS. It comes with .dmg extension. DMG stands for Disc Image File. It has UDIF(Universal Disc Image Format) for Mac OS X with .dmg extension. It is capable for the compressed, encrypted data, file spanning amd some of which are password protected. It is downloaded from internet and mounts a virtual disc on the desktop when opened. Disc image file is only used for Mac OS not for the Windows. DMG file support 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryption.
Benefits of .dmg file:
- It has supporting feature for creating hybrid optical media, that has multiple file system
- It also supports some of the file system like Hierarchical File System (HFS) , HFS Plus, ISO 9660, Universal Disc Format (UDF), File Allocation Table(FAT).
- DMG files are read only file ,allow the file to change nothing after being created. This makes the software more secure and free from any virus.
- It is easy to send more than one file over the internet that contains software and its Installer.
- It has ability to show multilingual software licence agreement before mounting the disc image.
We have so much in Mac that would make it easy for us to convert an ISO file to DMG and DMG file to ISO and also no additional software is required. Although there are some processes that would be used to convert the DMG file into ISO file in Mac OS X.
The first process is by using opening disc utility , the second process comes with the command line and the third via different software.
More importantly, this method is specifically useful for when you need to create a macOS installer ISO file for whatever reason. However, it is worth pointing out that creating the macOS Big Sur ISO is not necessary if you only want to create a bootable USB Installer for macOS Big Sur beta or other macOS versions. You can do this using the createinstallmedia commands and saving it on the installer media.
See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy Policy.
Mac mini 3 1 mojave. An ISO file contains optical disc file system and contains elements that would be written in optical disc. It comes with .iso extension but sometime .img extension is also used in some cases like Microsoft Dreamspark. The file which doesn't contain ISO 9660 but have UDF which comes with .udf extension. It is sector by sector copy of data.
What is ISO FILE
The full form of ISO is International Organisation for Standardization. The ISO name is taken from ISO 9660, used with CD ROM media but it contain a UDF(ISO/IEC 13346) file system ( used for DVDs and Blu-ray Discs). Most of the operating systems like Unix, Linux and Mac OS have built in capability to mount an ISO. Most of the emulator uses .ISO file to create image of CD. Emulator like PCSX2, Dolphin use .iso to emulate Wii and GameCube games and Playstation 2 games respectively.
Benefits of ISO file
- It is the program file which is neatly copied in a single file and it is used to distribute large program over the internet.
- It is used to create backup of CD or DVD because it creates the exact copy carry, and converts all the data with bits from the disc. Whenever the file is copied, it lacks the header file but when iso file is created it covers all the things including the header file.
Softwares used to create iso file
- ISO Recorder
- Magic ISO
- Power ISO
- Any to ISO
What is .dmg file
DMG file is Apple disc image which is used for Mac OS. It comes with .dmg extension. DMG stands for Disc Image File. It has UDIF(Universal Disc Image Format) for Mac OS X with .dmg extension. It is capable for the compressed, encrypted data, file spanning amd some of which are password protected. It is downloaded from internet and mounts a virtual disc on the desktop when opened. Disc image file is only used for Mac OS not for the Windows. DMG file support 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryption.
Benefits of .dmg file:
- It has supporting feature for creating hybrid optical media, that has multiple file system
- It also supports some of the file system like Hierarchical File System (HFS) , HFS Plus, ISO 9660, Universal Disc Format (UDF), File Allocation Table(FAT).
- DMG files are read only file ,allow the file to change nothing after being created. This makes the software more secure and free from any virus.
- It is easy to send more than one file over the internet that contains software and its Installer.
- It has ability to show multilingual software licence agreement before mounting the disc image.
We have so much in Mac that would make it easy for us to convert an ISO file to DMG and DMG file to ISO and also no additional software is required. Although there are some processes that would be used to convert the DMG file into ISO file in Mac OS X.
The first process is by using opening disc utility , the second process comes with the command line and the third via different software.
Opening Disc Utility
This is a powerful technique. We should be careful while doing this because by our single mistake it would easily wipe out data from some of our discs. So be cautious.
Explanation of process:
- First of all we have to insert the CD/ DVD which contains the file that we want to convert into a CD burning capable mac.
- After that, go to the Finder file and open it. After opening click on the application and then double click on the Utilities folder.
- After that, to open the Disc Utility, double click on the application.
Creating DMG file
- After opening the Disc Utility window, go to left and check name of the disc that we want to insert in the highlighted region.
- Then click on the file menu which is at the top and go to downward menu option, click New, then click on Disc Image (name of our disc).
- Give a name to new file and navigate on the desktop to save the file there.
- Choose the compressed image format
- Click on save menu and now we have .dmg file save in the desktop. Now our next task is to burn the file onto a blank CD/DVD.
Burning the DMG file
- Take out the original CD/DVD from the computer and put a blank CD/DVD on it. If you promoted with a pop-up window, click ignore.
- Then after return to Disc Utility and go to top of the window and click the Burn button.
- Then after, go and check out on the desktop and highlight the .dmg file and save. Then click on Burn button.
- Click Burn again in the new window to set the new default setting.
- CD/DVD is automatically ejected, once the program is finished. Now we have a burned CD or DVD with a copy of original file saved in .dmg format.
Second Method
Using Command line:
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This is the easiest method to convert the ISO file into DMG by using command line.
Explanation:
- Go to the Finder and open it, then open the terminal by clicking GO > Terminal
- Type the following command on the terminal
- hdiutil convert /path/imagefile.iso –
- format UDRW -o /path/convertedimage.dmg , here /path/imagefile.iso is the path to the file.
- Then after press Enter , it will take few seconds or minutes according to the size of file. After completion, the file comes with .CDR extension. Just rename it to .ISO . The file is ready to use.
Third method via different software
Softwares which are capable to convert the ISO file into DMG
Some of the softwares atr also used to convert the ISO file to DMG file. Some of them are
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- MagicISO: It is a software which is capable to convert many format into disc image file. Click on the MagicISO then click on the File and then click on open our ISO file. Click on Property and then Apple Disc Image and click Save. The ISO file is converted to DMG file. To download the MagicISO go to the official website www.magiciso.com . It is available for 64 bit as well as for 32 bit.
- PowerISO: It is also another software which is capable of converting many types of format into disc image file. Open the Power ISO and click File and then click on open ISO file. Click on the Properties and then select the Apple Disc Image. Click on the File icon and save it from the drop down menu and click Save. The ISO file is converted to DMG and ready to use. To download the PowerISO go to official website www.poweriso.com .
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- Nero Burning Rom: Like the MagicISO and PowerISO, Nero Burning Rom is also used to convert the ISO file into DMG file. Click on the Nero Burning Rom amd click on the File and then click on open the ISO file and then click on the File and Save As dialog box. 'Output File Type' property is changed Disc Image File and the Save it . This is how we convert the ISO file to DMG using Nero Burning Rom. DMG file is ready to use. To download the Nero Burning Rom go to the Official website www.nero.com .