Technology

Create Your Own Mac Recovery HD On Any Drive

Published: September 10, 2023

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What is Mac Recovery HD?

Mac Recovery HD is a hidden partition on your Mac which contains the necessary tools and utilities to troubleshoot and recover your system in case of any problems. It is a dedicated recovery partition that allows you to perform tasks such as reinstalling macOS, restoring from a Time Machine backup, or running Disk Utility to repair your startup disk.

This special partition is created during the installation process and is normally located on the internal drive of your Mac. It is designed to be easily accessible even if your macOS installation becomes corrupt, making it a vital component for system recovery.

Mac Recovery HD is based on a compressed, read-only system image of macOS and includes various utilities that are essential for troubleshooting and restoring your Mac. These utilities include Disk Utility for disk management and repair, Terminal for advanced troubleshooting, macOS installer for reinstalling the operating system, and other tools for system recovery.

By default, Mac Recovery HD is not visible or accessible to users. It is usually accessed by rebooting your Mac and holding down certain keys, such as Command + R, during the startup process. This will boot your Mac into the recovery mode, where you can access the Mac Recovery HD partition and perform various system recovery tasks.

Why Would You Need to Create Your Own Mac Recovery HD?

While Macs come pre-installed with a built-in Mac Recovery HD partition, there are certain scenarios where creating your own Mac Recovery HD on a separate drive can be advantageous.

One of the main reasons to create your own Mac Recovery HD is to have a dedicated recovery partition on an external drive. This can be useful if your Mac’s internal drive fails or becomes inaccessible. Having a separate recovery partition ensures that you can still access the necessary tools and utilities to troubleshoot and recover your system.

Another scenario where creating your own Mac Recovery HD is useful is when you want to have a specific version of macOS for recovery purposes. The built-in Mac Recovery HD partition will always contain the version of macOS that was installed on your Mac. However, if you need to recover a different version of macOS or if you want to have a recovery partition with the latest macOS release, creating your own recovery partition allows you to customize the macOS version included.

Creating your own Mac Recovery HD also allows you to have a portable recovery solution. By having the recovery partition on an external drive, you can easily connect it to any Mac and boot into the recovery mode to perform system recovery tasks. This is particularly useful if you provide technical support or if you need to troubleshoot multiple Macs.

Furthermore, creating your own Mac Recovery HD gives you the flexibility to allocate more disk space to the recovery partition if needed. The default size of the built-in Mac Recovery HD partition is relatively small, but by creating your own recovery partition, you can allocate a larger amount of disk space, allowing you to install additional troubleshooting tools or store larger system backup files.

Understanding the Structure of Mac Recovery HD

In order to effectively utilize Mac Recovery HD, it’s important to understand its structure and components. Mac Recovery HD is divided into several key elements that work together to provide comprehensive system recovery:

  1. Base System: The Base System is a read-only system image of macOS that includes essential files and utilities necessary for recovery. It contains a stripped-down version of the macOS operating system, allowing you to access core functionalities without needing to boot into your normal system.
  2. Disk Utility: Disk Utility is a powerful tool within Mac Recovery HD that allows you to manage and repair disks. With Disk Utility, you can format, partition, verify, and repair disks, including your startup disk. This is especially useful if you encounter issues with your disk, such as corruption or logical errors.
  3. macOS Installer: Within Mac Recovery HD, you’ll find the macOS Installer, which enables you to reinstall macOS on your Mac. This is helpful if your current macOS installation becomes corrupted or if you want to perform a clean installation. It’s worth noting that the macOS Installer within Mac Recovery HD typically contains the version of macOS that was installed when the recovery partition was created.
  4. Time Machine: Mac Recovery HD also includes the option to restore your Mac from a Time Machine backup. Time Machine is Apple’s built-in backup software that allows you to create regular backups of your system. With Mac Recovery HD, you can easily access Time Machine and restore your Mac to a previous state.
  5. Terminal: Terminal is a command-line interface that provides advanced users with direct access to the macOS command-line environment. While it may not be necessary for basic recovery tasks, Terminal can be a powerful tool for troubleshooting and executing complex commands to resolve system issues.

Understanding the structure of Mac Recovery HD allows you to make the most of its capabilities. Whether you need to perform disk repairs, reinstall macOS, restore from a Time Machine backup, or utilize advanced command-line functionality, Mac Recovery HD provides the necessary tools to effectively recover and troubleshoot your Mac system.

Preparations Before Creating Your Own Mac Recovery HD

Before you embark on the process of creating your own Mac Recovery HD, it’s important to ensure that you have everything you need and that you’ve taken the necessary precautions. Here are the key preparations to consider:

  1. Backup Your Data: Creating your own Mac Recovery HD involves modifying your disk and partitioning it. To safeguard your important data, it’s crucial to have a backup. Consider using Time Machine or any other reliable backup solution to create a full backup of your Mac. This way, you’ll have a safety net in case anything goes wrong during the creation process.
  2. Check Disk Health: Before proceeding, it’s a good idea to check the health of your Mac’s internal disk. Use Disk Utility to run a First Aid scan and ensure that your disk doesn’t have any issues. If any errors are detected, it’s recommended to resolve them before proceeding with the creation of your own Mac Recovery HD.
  3. Prepare an External Drive: You’ll need an external drive with sufficient capacity to create your own Mac Recovery HD. Make sure the drive is formatted correctly and is compatible with your Mac. Format it as macOS Extended (Journaled) and use either GUID Partition Map or Master Boot Record as the partition scheme, depending on your Mac’s compatibility.
  4. Download macOS Installer: In order to create your own Mac Recovery HD, you’ll need the macOS Installer. Visit the Mac App Store and download the latest version of macOS that you want to install on the external drive. Ensure that the installer is saved in the Applications folder, or remember its location for the next steps.
  5. Secure an Internet Connection: During the process of creating your own Mac Recovery HD, your Mac may need to download additional components or updates. To ensure a smooth and uninterrupted experience, make sure you have a stable internet connection available.

By following these preparations, you can minimize the risks and ensure a successful creation of your own Mac Recovery HD. Remember, taking precautions and safeguarding your data is crucial before making any changes to your system.

Step 1: Download macOS Installer

The first step in creating your own Mac Recovery HD is to download the macOS Installer. This installer will be used to install macOS on the external drive that will become your recovery partition. Here’s how to download the macOS Installer:

  1. Open the Mac App Store: Launch the App Store application on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications folder or by using Spotlight search.
  2. Search for macOS: In the App Store search bar, type “macOS” or the specific version of macOS you want to install. You’ll see a list of available macOS versions. Click on the one you want to download.
  3. Click the Download Button: On the macOS product page, click the “Download” button. The download process will begin, and the macOS Installer will be saved to your Applications folder by default. Depending on your internet connection and the size of the installer, it may take some time to complete the download.
  4. Wait for the Download to Finish: Once the download is complete, the macOS Installer will appear in your Applications folder with the name “Install macOS [Version].”

Now that you have successfully downloaded the macOS Installer, you are one step closer to creating your own Mac Recovery HD. In the next step, we will format and partition the external drive in preparation for the installation process.

Step 2: Format and Partition the Drive

Once you have downloaded the macOS Installer, the next step in creating your own Mac Recovery HD is to format and partition the external drive. This process will prepare the drive to become the dedicated recovery partition. Follow these instructions to format and partition the drive:

  1. Connect the External Drive: Plug in the external drive that you want to use for your Mac Recovery HD. Ensure that it is properly connected to your Mac, either through USB, Thunderbolt, or another applicable connection.
  2. Launch Disk Utility: Open the Disk Utility application on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications/Utilities folder or by using Spotlight search.
  3. Select the External Drive: In Disk Utility, locate the external drive in the left sidebar. Click on its name to select it.
  4. Click on “Erase”: At the top of the Disk Utility window, click on the “Erase” button.
  5. Choose the File System and Name: In the Erase dialog box, select the appropriate file system format. It is recommended to use “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” as the format. Then, enter a name for the drive, such as “Recovery HD” or any other name you prefer.
  6. Choose the Partition Scheme: Next, choose the appropriate partition scheme. If your Mac uses Intel-based processors, select “GUID Partition Map.” For Macs with older processors (PowerPC-based), select “Apple Partition Map.”
  7. Click on “Erase”: Finally, click on the “Erase” button to format and partition the external drive with the selected settings. This process will erase all existing data on the drive, so make sure you have a backup if needed.
  8. Wait for the Process to Complete: Disk Utility will now format and partition the drive according to your specifications. The time it takes will depend on the size and speed of the drive. Once the process is complete, the external drive will be ready for the next steps.

With the drive properly formatted and partitioned, you have successfully prepared the external drive to become your own Mac Recovery HD. The next step will involve creating a bootable macOS installer.

Step 3: Create a Bootable macOS Installer

Now that you have formatted and partitioned the external drive, you can proceed to create a bootable macOS installer. This will allow you to install macOS on the drive and transform it into your own Mac Recovery HD. Follow these steps to create a bootable macOS installer:

  1. Open Terminal: Launch the Terminal application on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications/Utilities folder or by using Spotlight search.
  2. Enter the Command: In the Terminal window, type the following command (replace [Path to macOS Installer] with the actual location of the macOS Installer downloaded in the previous step):

    3. sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ [Version].app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia –volume /Volumes/[Name of External Drive] –nointeraction

  3. Authenticate with Admin Password: After entering the command, you will be prompted to enter your administrator password. Type the password and press Enter. Please note that when typing the password, you won’t see any characters on the screen. Press Enter once again to confirm.
  4. Wait for the Process to Complete: Terminal will now create a bootable macOS installer on the external drive. This process may take some time, depending on the speed of your Mac and the size of the macOS Installer. Do not interrupt the process and ensure that your Mac is connected to a power source during this step.
  5. Verify the Bootable Installer: Once the process is complete, Terminal will display a message indicating successful completion. You can also verify the bootable installer by opening the external drive and ensuring that it contains the necessary system files.

With the bootable macOS installer created, the external drive is now ready to be used as your own Mac Recovery HD. The next step will involve installing macOS on the external drive, which will be covered in the following section.

Step 4: Install macOS on the External Drive

With the bootable macOS installer prepared, you can now proceed to install macOS on the external drive. This step will transform the drive into your own Mac Recovery HD. Follow these steps to install macOS on the external drive:

  1. Connect the External Drive: Ensure that the external drive is still connected to your Mac.
  2. Restart Your Mac: Click on the Apple menu and choose “Restart” to reboot your Mac.
  3. Enter Recovery Mode: As your Mac restarts, hold down the Option (⌥) key until you see the Startup Manager screen. Release the key when the Startup Manager appears.
  4. Select the Bootable Installer: In the Startup Manager, you will see a list of bootable drives. Use the arrow keys to select the bootable macOS installer on the external drive. Once selected, press Enter or click on the arrow beneath the drive.
  5. Begin the Installation: Your Mac will now boot from the bootable installer. Follow the on-screen instructions to begin the installation of macOS on the external drive. Select the external drive as the destination for the installation.
  6. Wait for the Installation to Complete: The installation process may take some time, depending on the speed of your Mac and the size of the macOS installer. Ensure that your Mac is connected to a power source and do not interrupt the installation process.
  7. Set Up macOS: Once the installation is complete, your Mac will restart and prompt you to set up macOS. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the initial setup process, such as choosing your language, creating a user account, and agreeing to the user license agreement.

At this point, macOS is successfully installed on the external drive, which now acts as your own Mac Recovery HD. In the next steps, we will replicate the Recovery HD partition on the external drive and remove the original Recovery HD partition from your Mac.

Step 5: Replicate Recovery HD on the External Drive

After installing macOS on the external drive, the next step is to replicate the Recovery HD partition on the same drive. This ensures that you have a dedicated recovery partition that is accessible even if your internal drive fails. Here’s how to replicate Recovery HD on the external drive:

  1. Launch Terminal: Open the Terminal application on your Mac.
  2. Enter the Command: In the Terminal window, type the following command:

    3. diskutil list

  3. Identify the Disk Identifier: Look for the external drive in the list of disks. Identify the disk identifier associated with the external drive. It will be something like “/dev/diskX.”
  4. Enter the Command to Replicate Recovery HD: In the Terminal window, type the following command (replace “/dev/diskX” with the disk identifier of your external drive):

    5. diskutil apfs addVolume /dev/diskXs1 -role B -nomount

  5. Wait for the Replication Process: Terminal will now initiate the replication process to create a new Recovery HD partition on the external drive. This may take a few minutes to complete.
  6. Verify the Replicated Recovery HD: Once the process is complete, run the following command in Terminal to verify the creation of the new Recovery HD partition:

    7. diskutil ap list

  7. Check for the New Recovery HD Partition: Look for the newly added Recovery HD partition associated with your external drive. It should be listed as “diskXs2.”

With the Recovery HD partition replicated on the external drive, you now have a dedicated recovery partition accessible even if your Mac’s internal drive fails. The next step will involve deleting the original Recovery HD partition from your Mac to prevent confusion during system recovery.

Step 6: Delete the Original Recovery HD Partition

Now that you have successfully replicated the Recovery HD partition on the external drive, it’s time to remove the original Recovery HD partition from your Mac. This step is important to avoid any confusion during system recovery. Follow these steps to delete the original Recovery HD partition:

  1. Launch Terminal: Open the Terminal application on your Mac.
  2. Enter the Command: In the Terminal window, type the following command:

    3. diskutil list

  3. Identify the Internal Drive: Look for your Mac’s internal drive in the list of disks. Identify the disk identifier associated with the internal drive. It will be something like “/dev/diskY.”
  4. Enter the Command to Delete the Original Recovery HD: In the Terminal window, type the following command (replace “/dev/diskY” with the disk identifier of your internal drive):

    5. diskutil apfs deleteVolume /dev/diskYs2

  5. Confirm the Deletion: Terminal will ask for confirmation before deleting the Recovery HD partition. Type “y” and press Enter to confirm the deletion.
  6. Enter Admin Password: You will be prompted to enter your administrator password. Type the password and press Enter. Please note that when typing the password, you won’t see any characters on the screen.
  7. Wait for the Deletion Process: Terminal will now proceed to delete the original Recovery HD partition from your Mac. This process may take a few moments to complete.
  8. Verify the Deletion: After the deletion process is complete, run the following command in Terminal to verify that the original Recovery HD partition is removed:

    9. diskutil list

  9. Check for Missing Recovery HD: Ensure that the original Recovery HD partition is no longer listed in the disk list associated with your Mac’s internal drive.

With the original Recovery HD partition deleted, your Mac’s internal drive is now free of any confusion during the system recovery process. In the next step, you will rename the new Recovery HD partition on the external drive for better identification.

Step 7: Rename the New Recovery HD Partition

After deleting the original Recovery HD partition, it’s a good practice to rename the new Recovery HD partition on the external drive. Renaming the partition will make it easier to identify and differentiate from other partitions. Follow these steps to rename the new Recovery HD partition:

  1. Open Disk Utility: Launch the Disk Utility application on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications/Utilities folder or by using Spotlight search.
  2. Select the External Drive: In Disk Utility, locate the external drive in the left sidebar. Click on its name to select it.
  3. Click on “Show All Devices”: In the View menu of Disk Utility, click on “Show All Devices” to ensure that all partitions on the external drive are visible.
  4. Select the Recovery HD Partition: In the left sidebar of Disk Utility, locate the newly created Recovery HD partition associated with the external drive. It should be listed under the external drive’s name.
  5. Click on “Info”: At the top of the Disk Utility window, click on the “Info” button.
  6. Enter the New Name: In the Info window, you will see the current name of the Recovery HD partition. Click on the name and enter the new desired name for the partition.
  7. Press Enter: After entering the new name, press Enter to save the changes.

With the new name assigned, the Recovery HD partition on the external drive is now easily identifiable. This will help you locate and select it when you need to access the recovery tools and utilities. In the final step, you will test the new Recovery HD partition to ensure its functionality.

Step 8: Test the New Recovery HD

Once you have completed all the previous steps to create and configure your own Mac Recovery HD on the external drive, it’s important to test its functionality. Testing the new Recovery HD ensures that it is properly working and equipped with the necessary tools to troubleshoot and recover your system. Follow these steps to test the new Recovery HD:

  1. Restart Your Mac: Click on the Apple menu and choose “Restart” to reboot your Mac.
  2. Enter Recovery Mode: As your Mac restarts, hold down the Option (⌥) key until you see the Startup Manager screen. Release the key when the Startup Manager appears.
  3. Select the New Recovery HD: In the Startup Manager, you will see a list of bootable drives. Use the arrow keys to select the new Recovery HD partition on the external drive. Once selected, press Enter or click on the arrow beneath the drive.
  4. Boot into Recovery Mode: Your Mac will now boot from the new Recovery HD partition. It may take a moment to load the recovery environment.
  5. Test the Recovery Tools: Once in Recovery Mode, explore the available tools and utilities. Test basic functions such as Disk Utility for disk management and repair, Terminal for command-line access, and the reinstall macOS option to ensure they are working properly.
  6. Perform a Test Recovery: If you have a test system or a spare drive, you may consider performing a test recovery using the new Recovery HD. This will provide assurance that the recovery process is functioning correctly and that you can restore your system if needed.
  7. Exit Recovery Mode: Once you have tested the new Recovery HD and confirmed its functionality, you can exit Recovery Mode by restarting your Mac.

By testing the new Recovery HD and verifying its functionality, you can have peace of mind knowing that you have a reliable and self-contained recovery solution. In the event of any system issues, you can confidently rely on your own Mac Recovery HD to troubleshoot and recover your Mac.

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Written by Katharyn Vickers

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