Download macOS and Create a Boot Stick Easily with ANYmacOS

Introduction

Need to reinstall macOS, downgrade to an older version, or create an emergency boot stick? ANYmacOS makes it incredibly simple to download macOS versions – from Lion to the newest version the app offers – directly from Apple and create a bootable USB installer – no Terminal commands required!

ANYmacOS provides a simple interface to download macOS versions from Lion onward

Requirements

• Mac running OS X 10.10 Yosemite or later
• Internet connection for downloading
• USB stick (16GB for most older versions, 32GB for any macOS installer – Apple's figures)
• Admin password for your Mac

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Download and Install ANYmacOS

1. Visit the official ANYmacOS website
2. Download the latest version
3. Open the downloaded DMG file
4. Drag ANYmacOS to your Applications folder
5. If Gatekeeper blocks the first launch: up to macOS Sonoma 14, control-click (right-click) the app and select "Open"; from macOS Sequoia 15, open the app once, close the message, then go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Security → "Open Anyway" (available for about an hour after the attempt) and enter your login password

Step 2: Select Your macOS Version

1. Launch ANYmacOS
2. Click the "Customer Seed" tab
3. Browse available macOS versions
4. Select your desired version
5. Click the "Download" button

Choose from all available macOS versions

Step 3: Create the Boot Stick

1. Insert your USB stick (will be erased!)
2. Wait for the download to complete
3. Click the "Create Installer" button
4. Select your USB drive from the list
5. Enter your admin password when prompted
6. Wait for the process to complete (15-30 minutes)

Using Your Boot Stick

For Intel Macs:

1. Shut down your Mac
2. Insert the USB boot stick
3. Press and hold the Option (⌥) key
4. Press the power button
5. Select the USB drive from the boot menu
6. Follow the installation prompts

For Apple silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3/M4/M5):

1. Shut down your Mac
2. Insert the USB boot stick
3. Press and hold the power button
4. Continue holding until you see startup options
5. Select the USB drive
6. Follow the installation prompts

Troubleshooting

ANYmacOS won't open

Up to macOS Sonoma 14: control-click the app and select "Open". From macOS Sequoia 15: after the first attempt to open it, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Security and click "Open Anyway" (available for about an hour), then enter your login password.

Download fails

• Check your internet connection
• Check that you have enough disk space
• Try a different macOS version
• Restart ANYmacOS and try again

USB creation fails

• Make sure the USB stick is properly formatted (Mac OS Extended)
• Try a different USB port
• Use Disk Utility to erase the USB stick first
• Make sure you have admin privileges

Alternative Methods

Terminal Method

For advanced users, you can use Terminal commands with createinstallmedia; Apple documents the command for OS X El Capitan and for every version from macOS High Sierra to macOS 27 Golden Gate (Sierra 10.12 is missing).

Internet Recovery

Intel Macs can start from macOS Recovery: Command-R reinstalls the current version of your most recently installed macOS, Option-Command-R may install the latest macOS compatible with your Mac, and Shift-Option-Command-R may install the macOS that came with your Mac or the closest version still available. A Mac with Apple silicon reinstalls the current version of the most recently installed macOS via the startup options (Options → Continue → Reinstall macOS). Recovery downloads macOS, so it requires an internet connection.

Mac App Store

Apple's download page (support.apple.com/102662) links macOS Sequoia 15 down to High Sierra 10.13 in the App Store – the download button may be greyed out, or the App Store reports that the version is not compatible with the Mac you are using – and offers Sierra 10.12, El Capitan, Yosemite, Mountain Lion and Lion as download files; Mavericks 10.9 is missing. macOS 27 Golden Gate and macOS Tahoe 26 come via Software Update, Terminal or macOS Recovery.