How to Install macOS on External Drive [macOS Ventura/Monterey]

When Will You Install macOS on the External Drive

Do you want to check out the macOS latest version? But do you have conflicting opinions on making the upgrade or downloading macOS Ventura? Sometimes, mac users want to explore the beta versions but don't want to mess up the perfectly functioning system. In that case, there is a way to install macOS (new version) without making any massive changes.

What's the solution? Well, you can install the macOS on an external drive. In that case, you can delete it whenever you want without any trouble to your efficient system. In fact, it is the safest way to update macOS without making any changes to your Mac.

For a detailed understanding, we have attached a video. Check out the video and see how to install macOS Ventura/Monterey on an external drive.

• 0:22 Download macOS from the App Store
• 1:11 macOS is installed on the external drive
• 3:21 Setup the system with the new macOS
• 4:23 The new macOS is installed successfully

Step 1. Format External Drive Correctly with Disk Utility

The first step includes preparing the external drive for the new macOS installation. That will lead to creating macOS Ventura bootable USB. For that, you need to follow these steps:

Step 1. Plug the external drive into your system. Open Disk Utility. For that, you need to follow Applications > Utilities >Disk Utility.

Step 2. Go to the View drop-down menu (for systems running on High Sierra or later versions). Select Show All Devices.

Step 3. From the sidebar, choose External drive. Select Erase. Name the drive. In the format field, choose macOS Extended.

Step 4. In the Scheme section, select GUID Partition Map. Choose Erase.

Step 5. Allow Disk Utility the time to create a partition. Select Done.

Step 2. How to Download the macOS Resource on Mac

Now, you need to download the macOS version you want to explore. You can check out the older version, a new one, or even a beta version. In that case, these are the generic steps you must adopt:

Step 1. Go to the Mac App Store. Search for the macOS you want.

Step 2. Select the View or Get option.

Step 3. You will be asked to confirm if you want to download the macOS. Click Download.

Step 3. How to Install macOS on External Drive

This is the most critical stage of the entire process. Check out the steps to install macOS on an external drive, and this will help you dual boot macOS Ventura and Monterey on a Mac:

Step 1. Launch the finder. Choose Go from the menu and select Applications from the drop-down.

Step 2. Locate the macOS installer you want. Select the installer. Wait for a window to open. Follow the instructions to install the macOS you want. Click on Continue.

Step 3. Confirm the software license agreement. Select Show All Disks. Choose the external drive. Select Install.

Step 4. Wait for some time for the macOS installation to complete on the drive.

Step 4. How to Boot macOS from External Drive on Mac

By default, Mac starts booting from the internal startup disk. You must take extra steps to boot the system from the external drive.

For Apple M1 chip and M2 chip Macs, turn off the system. After some seconds, press and hold the Power button. Allow the Startup options to load. When you come across the list of bootable drives, choose the macOS volume for installation.

If you use Intel-based Macs, reboot the system while holding the Option key. That will lead to the Startup menu. Here, you must opt for the disk you want to boot from. Now, choose the drive with the name of the macOS you want.

Rescue Data from Faulty Mac with Software

Have you lost data while the macOS Ventura upgrade failed? Several instances can lead to the loss of critical data. Or your device encounters Mac startup issues and fails to boot. In that case, feelings of panic and anxiousness are natural. Here, opting for professional data recovery software is the ideal solution.

Install EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac and take advantage of the fantastic features. This powerful data recovery tool aids in the hassle-free restoration of lost data, and you can get it back regardless of the circumstance leading to data loss. These include system crashes, manual errors, hardware failures, deletion without a backup, etc.

You will need this kind of recovery product to deal with data loss or file corruption:

• Recover deleted files on macOS Ventura. You can get back various data types with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. Retrieving music files, emails, videos, photos, etc.
• Restored files from different Mac-based devices such as SSD, HDD, memory card, camera, and fusion drive, and supported Mac USB recovery.
• Fix MacBook won't turn on after macOS Ventura without data loss. You can rescue data from this MacBook and fix the problem.
• Repair corrupted videos on Mac. Sometimes the recovered videos may be damaged, and this software will help you recover and repair the corrupted videos.

Are you eager to know how to use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac? For that, take a look at the steps mentioned below:

Step 1. Install and run EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac on another Mac computer, and select "Unbootable Mac > Start".

Step 2. Then, choose a prepared USB drive to create the bootable disc. Select "Next" to start creating the bootable disk.

Step 3. The program starts to create a 2GB space and save the boot files. The rest space on the USB can be still used for storage.

Step 4. Once it completes, please follow the guide to boot the corrupted Mac from the bootable disc and start the recovery. We suggest you restore the data to an external hard drive.

Step 5. After booting the Mac, launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac. Select the disk location (an internal HDD/SSD or a removable storage device) where you lost data and files. Then, this recovery tool will scan for lost files automatically.

Note: Before data recovery, you'd better create a backup of your Mac to avoid further data loss. After backing up, the software can recover data from the Mac backup, and your computer can wirte new data again.

Bottom Line

Are you eager to explore a new macOS version? In that case, installing the upgraded version of the system might affect its efficiency. That is why installing macOS on the external drive is an excellent idea.

You can format the drive before downloading the macOS installer. After that, you must install the macOS on the external drive and start using it! Amidst installing new macOS versions, there is nothing to worry about if you face data loss. Check out EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, professional software for Mac.

This data recovery platform is easy to use and highly efficient. It comes with a wide range of features and aids in the quick recovery of different types of data.

If you haven't tried EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac yet, check it out today!

How to Install macOS on External Drive FAQs

Installing macOS on the external drive is straightforward. You need to follow a few simple steps, and then you can check out the new version. However, it is always a good idea to have more knowledge. For that, take a look at the questions and answers listed below -

1. How to install macOS on an unsupported Mac?

You must first connect the external drive to the system to install macOS Ventura on an unsupported Mac. You also need to back up your data using Time Machine. After that, you must opt for a suitable patcher.

Now, launch the patcher and opt for the macOS Installer option. You will find a window asking you to confirm whether you want to download the macOS installer. Follow the on-screen instructions and select the most recent macOS version.

After the downloading is completed, enter the admin username and password. Now, choose Install macOS and opt for the drive that you connected. Wait for the process to complete. You also need to install the patcher app. In the last stage, you must boot the patcher and macOS.

2. Why can't you install macOS on an external drive?

Apple does not support booting macOS from an external drive on all Macs. Some old version doesn't have the support at all, and with new versions, you can install macOS on an external drive, but it is not straightforward.

3. Can I install macOS Monterey on an external drive?

You can install it on an external drive using the Disk Utility. However, to ensure you can boot from it, you must choose the startup disk whenever you boot up your Mac. That means holding down the Option key to select whether to boot from the external or internal drives.

4. How to recover data from a faulty Mac that won't boot anymore?

You can use the right set of tools first to remove the SSD drive from the macOS and then connect it to another PC. If the SSD is detectable, you can use the EaseUS recovery tool to extract and recover data. Later the drive can be sent for repair and used again.