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How to Start a Mac from a USB

  1. Prepare the USB Drive: First, you need to create a bootable USB drive.

    This can be done with the macOS installer, but we used Etcher, which was easy to use.

  2. Insert the USB Drive: Plug the bootable USB drive into a USB port on your Mac.
  3. Restart or Turn On Your Mac: If your Mac is already on, restart it. If it's off, turn it on.
  4. Access the Startup Manager: As soon as you hear the startup sound or see the Apple logo, press and hold the Option (⌥) key on your keyboard until the Startup Manager appears on the screen. This usually happens within the first few seconds of starting up your Mac.
  5. Select the USB Drive: In the Startup Manager, you'll see icons for all bootable devices connected to your Mac, including the USB drive. Use the arrow keys or the mouse to select the USB drive and then press "Enter," or click on the arrow beneath the drive icon.
  6. Boot from USB: Your Mac will now boot from the selected USB drive.
  7. Follow On-Screen Instructions: Follow the on-screen instructions to install Mint.