Native Way of Creating a Bootable OS X Mavericks USB

We have already learned how to create a bootable OS X Mavericks USB drive using a third party app, this time I will show you how to create one directly in Mac OS X.

For this to work, you will need a copy of Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks in your Applications folder, if you don't have it, please do the following and then come back:

  How to Download OS X Mavericks Installation File

In case you want to create a bootable USB drive using the DiskMaker X app:

  The Easiest Way to Create a Bootable OS X USB Drive

First, let's format/erase the USB drive.

You need at least 8GB USB drive/thumb. Before you proceed with the erase, make sure you backup your USB drive as you will loose all important data you might have stored there.

Click the Spotlight search, enter disk utility and click Disk Utility in the search results (see picture).

In Disk Utility window, select your USB drive.

Click Erase in the menu, for Format set the Mac OS Extended (Journaled) option. Leave the name Untitled.

Click Erase...

Now is your last chance to backup data on your USB key, after you click Erase, there's no turning back.

Click Erase.

Again, click the Spotlight button in the menu bar above, enter terminal in search field and choose Terminal - Applications.

In the terminal window, copy/paste the following line and press Enter:

sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/Untitled --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Mavericks.app --nointeraction

This is a single line, simply select it with your mouse, press Cmd + C to copy it, then go to the terminal window and press Cmd + V to paste the command line. Press Enter.

If the OS X Mavericks installation package is in your Applications folder, and the USB drive is erased and named Untitled, then the creation of a bootable OS X 10.9 should start immediately.

If asked to enter your administrator password, do so.

You will need to wait about 20 minutes for the procedure to finish.

Done!

Your very own bootable OS X Mavericks USB key/drive is locked and loaded, ready for a clean install of your Mac computer.