7/21/13
How to create a bootable USB stick on OS X | Ubuntu
How to create a bootable USB stick on OS X
We would encourage Mac users to download Ubuntu Desktop Edition by burning a CD. But if you prefer to use a USB stick, please follow the instructions below. Note: this procedure requires that you create an .img file from the .iso file you download. It will also change the filesystem that is on the USB stick to make it bootable, so backup all data before continuing. Tip: Drag and drop a file from Finder to Terminal to 'paste' the full path without risking typing errors. 1. 1 Download Ubuntu Desktop 2. 2 Open the Terminal (in /Applications/Utilities/ or query Terminal in Spotlight). 3. 3 Convert the .iso file to .img using the convert option of hdiutil (e.g.,hdiutil convert -format UDRW -o ~/path/to/target.img ~/path/to/ubuntu.iso)
www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-mac-osx 1/5
7/21/13
How to create a bootable USB stick on OS X | Ubuntu
Note: OS X tends to put the .dmg ending on the output file automatically. 4. 4 Run diskutil list to get the current list of devices. 5. 5 Insert your flash media. 6. 6 Run diskutil list again and determine the device node assigned to your flash media (e.g. /dev/disk2). 7. 7 Run diskutil unmountDisk /dev/diskN (replace N with the disk number from the last command; in the previous example, N would be 2). 8. 8 Execute sudo dd if=/path/to/downloaded.img of=/dev/rdiskN bs=1m (replace /path/to/downloaded.img with the path where the image file is located; for example, ./ubuntu.imgor ./ubuntu.dmg). Using /dev/rdisk instead of /dev/disk may be faster If you see the error dd: Invalid number '1m', you are using GNU dd. Use the same command but replace bs=1m with bs=1M If you see the error dd: /dev/diskN: Resource busy, make sure
www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-mac-osx 2/5
7/21/13
How to create a bootable USB stick on OS X | Ubuntu
the disk is not in use. Start the 'Disk Utility.app' and unmount (don't eject) the drive 9. 9 Run diskutil eject /dev/diskN and remove your flash media when the command completes. 10. 10 Restart your Mac and press alt/option key while the Mac is restarting to choose the USB stick. More detailed technical instructions are available on the Ubuntu wiki
And if you get stuck Ask Ubuntu
Try Ubuntu before you install it
If youre not yet sure about installing Ubuntu, you can try it out without affecting your current system. How to run Ubuntu from a DVD or USB stick
Help with installing Ubuntu
Choose the right step-by-step guide, based on your current operating system.
www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-mac-osx 3/5
7/21/13
How to create a bootable USB stick on OS X | Ubuntu
Windows
How to burn a DVD on Windows How to create a bootable USB stick on Windows Installing Ubuntu 12.04 LTS with the Windows installer
OS X
How to burn a DVD on OS X How to create a bootable USB stick on OS X
Ubuntu
How to burn a DVD on Ubuntu How to create a bootable USB stick on Ubuntu
Release notes
13.04 release notes 12.04.2 LTS release notes 13.04 images and checksums 12.04.2 LTS images and checksums
Explore further
Overview Desktop Server Cloud
www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-mac-osx 4/5
7/21/13
How to create a bootable USB stick on OS X | Ubuntu
Download Ubuntu Desktop
Download now
Interested in Ubuntu Desktop for your enterprise?
Get in touch
Further reading
MTN Group joins Ubuntu Carrier Advisory Group Verizon Wireless joins Ubuntu Carrier Advisory Group China Unicom joins Ubuntu Carrier Advisory Group Technical guide for HP laptops
www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop/create-a-usb-stick-on-mac-osx
5/5
