How to Boot MacBook Pro from USB Drive
- Why Boot MacBook Pro from USB?
- How to Create a Bootable USB Drive
- Steps to Boot MacBook Pro from USB
- Troubleshooting USB Boot Issues
- Using Ninja Stik for Secure Boot
Why Boot MacBook Pro from USB?
Booting a MacBook Pro from a USB drive allows users to install macOS, troubleshoot system issues, or run an alternative OS without modifying internal storage.

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How to Create a Bootable USB Drive
To create a macOS bootable USB drive, follow these steps:
- Download the macOS installer from the App Store.
- Insert a USB drive with at least 16GB of storage.
- Open Terminal and use the following command:
sudo /Applications/Install macOS Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyUSB
- Wait for the process to complete and eject the USB safely.
Steps to Boot MacBook Pro from USB
Once you have a bootable USB drive, follow these steps:
- Turn off your MacBook Pro.
- Insert the bootable USB drive.
- Press the Power button and immediately hold Option (⌥).
- Select the USB drive from the startup options.
- Press Return to boot from the USB drive.
Troubleshooting USB Boot Issues
If your MacBook does not recognize the USB drive, try the following:
- Ensure the USB drive is formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
- Check the bootable drive by testing it on another Mac.
- Reset the NVRAM by restarting and holding Option + Command + P + R.
- Disable Secure Boot in Startup Security Utility if necessary.
Using Ninja Stik for Secure Boot
The Ninja Stik is a secure USB drive that allows users to boot into a private OS environment on MacBook Pro. To use it:
- Insert the Ninja Stik into a USB port.
- Press Power and hold Option (⌥).
- Select Ninja Stik from the boot options.
- Enjoy a secure and private computing experience.