There is more than one reason why you may want to create a macOS Big Sur ISO file. Maybe you wish to install macOS into virtual machines such as VMWare and Parallels Desktop for extensive testing. Maybe you are willing to make an alternative installer media on an external hard drive. Whatever could be your reason for making a macOS Big Sur ISO file, you would be glad to know it’s possible to fine-tune a fully functional ISO file without having to use any third-party tool. If you are all set, let me guide you through!
So, how do you get an ISO file on Mac? Thanks to the built-in app called Terminal, you can make a workable ISO file through the command line. For the folks who are wondering as to why the entire process requires the need of Terminal or a third-party app, it is because the macOS installer application is actually an .app file (and not a disk image).
- Up next, copy the installer files to the disk image we have just created using the createinstallmedia utility which is part of the macOS Installer application.
hdiutil convert /tmp/MacBigSur.dmg -format UDTO -o ~/Desktop/MacBigSur.cdr
Create a macOS Big Sur ISO File with Terminal
So, that’s how you can create a functional ISO file using the Terminal app on your Mac. It’s good that the first party app works reliably in making an ISO file as you don’t have to look for third-party software or even dole out some bucks. As someone who heavily relies on Terminal for getting it done, I must say that you can count on the app to live up to the task more often than not.
