Making a bootable installer for macOS Sierra

[KevinJS]

While this is fresh in my head, I'll bash out these instructions.

You'll need a USB thumb drive of 8Mb capacity, named "Untitled". It will be erased as part of the process so make sure it's either empty or contains nothing of value.

Download macOS from the Mac App Store. It will auto boot, so stop it right away. If you allow it to install, it will disappear from Applications and you will need to download it again.

Copy the following:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app

Open Terminal and paste the above into the screen. When you hit return, you'll be prompted for your account password.The password will not be visible in the Terminal window. Don't worry. That's normal. Hit return and you'll be warned that your drive will be erased.

Type "Y" and return to continue. The installer files will be copied to the USB drive.

To use it, boot your Mac while holding the "Option" key.

 

[KevinJS]

@giradman has supplied additional information on iPadForums, so here's his alternative method, that doesn't involve use of Terminal. We haven't persuaded him to buy an iPhone yet, so we don't benefit from his considerable expertise here.

Kevin has provided an excellent concise explanation of making a bootable macOS Sierra thumb drive - similar directions HERE; however, if you are uncomfortable w/ using Terminal, then DiskMakerX is now compatible w/ Sierra - I used the latter to make my bootable USB drive - so, a couple of options. Dave