How to use an external SSD as a boot drive
If you’re considering upgrading to a Crucial X8 or Crucial X6 portable SSD, you may wonder, “Can I use an external SSD as a boot drive?” We have good news. Yes, you can boot from an external SSD on a PC or Mac computer.
Depending on the model, Macs in particular can be difficult to upgrade. Older iMacs or Mac Mini systems likely came with a hard disk drive — which are much slower than SSDs — or a low-capacity SSD. External SSDs, including the Crucial X8 and X6, offer a way to increase speed and capacity without replacing internal parts. Portable SSDs connect via USB cables. It’s that easy.
After learning how to install your external SSD, you’ll find that using a Crucial portable SSD as a boot drive is a simple and reliable way to upgrade your system without using a screwdriver.
Note: Just in case you accidentally delete some files or select the wrong drive, Crucial recommends backing up your files in a secondary location before setting up your Crucial X8 or X6 as a boot drive.
Here’s how to use your X8 or X6 external SSD as a boot drive for Mac computers.
Step 1: Wipe your internal drive
To wipe your internal drive and to begin the process of saving MacOS to your Crucial portable SSD, go to this Apple.com article, “How to reinstall MacOS from MacOS Recovery".
Step 2: Open Disk Utility
After following instructions for opening MacOS Recovery, open “Disk Utility.”
Step 3: Erase existing data
Select “Crucial X8” or “Crucial X6” from the list of storage disks on the left-hand column.
Step 4: Erase existing data
Select “Erase” to remove all existing data from the drive.
Step 5: Name the SSD
When prompted for the new volume name, call it “macOs X8” or “macOS X6.” Select either APFS or X Extended (Journaled), depending on your disk format. Leave the scheme set as GUID partition map.
Step 6: Close Disk Utility
Close Disk Utility, then select “Reinstall macOS.”
Step 7: Reinstall macOS
Follow the macOS installer prompts, selecting the “macOS X8” or “macOS X6” volume as the destination for where to install the new operating system.
Crucial SSD resources
Crucial.com contains a wealth of information on how SSDs work and about how to get the most out of your SSD. Here’s a few popular resources to check out:
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