macUSB

# <img src="docs/readme-assets/images/macUSBicon.png" alt="macUSB" width="64" height="64" style="vertical-align: middle;">&nbsp;&nbsp;macUSB

*The all-in-one bootable USB creator for Mac*

![Platform](https://img.shields.io/badge/Platform-macOS-black) ![Architecture](https://img.shields.io/badge/Architecture-Apple_Silicon/Intel-black) ![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-MIT-blue) ![Security](https://img.shields.io/badge/Security-Notarized-success) [![Website](https://img.shields.io/badge/Website-macusb.app-blueviolet)](https://macusb.app/)

**macUSB** is a guided macOS app for creating bootable USB media on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs using local files or the built-in macOS downloader.

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<p align="center">
  <img src="docs/readme-assets/images/macusb-readme-hero.gif" alt="macUSB UI preview" width="980">
</p>

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## ☕ Support the Project

**macUSB is and will always remain completely free.** Every update and feature is available to everyone.  
If the project helps you, you can support ongoing development:

<a href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kruszoneq" target="_blank"><img src="https://cdn.buymeacoffee.com/buttons/v2/default-yellow.png" alt="Buy Me A Coffee" style="height: 60px !important;width: 217px !important;" ></a>

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## 📥 How to Download macUSB

Choose one installation method:

1. **GitHub Releases:** [Download the latest release](https://github.com/Kruszoneq/macUSB/releases/latest)
2. **Homebrew:**

   ```bash
   brew install --cask macusb
   ```

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## 🔍 Why macUSB Exists

Creating bootable USB installers for **macOS Catalina and older** on modern Macs, especially Apple Silicon models, can be challenging because legacy installer workflows often conflict with newer system requirements. macUSB was created to make this process guided and reliable through solutions developed and verified during practical troubleshooting.

Thanks to user feedback, macUSB has grown beyond legacy macOS installer creation to include an integrated macOS downloader and support for creating bootable Linux and Windows media, evolving into an all-in-one tool for bootable USB workflows on Mac.

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## ✅ Key Features

- **Built-in downloader:** discover and download macOS installers, including available Public Beta releases, from Apple servers.
- **Local source support:** create bootable USB media from local installers and disk images.
- **Checksum calculation:** calculate SHA-256 checksums for supported `.dmg`, `.cdr`, and `.iso` sources, as well as manually selected raw `.img` images.
- **Apple silicon legacy support:** automatic compatibility handling for older macOS installers during USB creation.
- **Automatic media preparation:** validate target capacity and prepare the selected drive for the chosen workflow.
- **Linux and Windows support:** create bootable USB media from supported Linux and Windows `.iso` images, with optional Windows setup automation.

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## ⚡ Quick Start

> [!WARNING]
> Creating bootable media erases all data on the