Using an external hub to connect several USB devices may cause your Mac to fail recognizing them at boot time. Try connecting the USB drive to another port on the hub. Should that fail, connect the disk directly into your Mac’s USB port. Keep in mind that some USB hubs and external USB storage devices need an external power supply, depending. For Mac users, we recommend visiting Apple’s support page on USB boot media. It provides guidance that is specific to the iteration of OS X you are running (i.e. Sierra, High Sierra, Yosemite, etc.) to help you get the boot version you need. You’ll see the boot options menu appear. Select the connected USB drive. The Mac will boot the Linux system from the connected USB drive. If your Mac just boots to the login screen and you don’t see the boot options menu, reboot your Mac again and hold down the Option key earlier in the boot process. This solution will allow you to boot.
Boot Mac To Usb Drive
2020 MacBook Pro boot from USB
Starting in 2018 the Macbook Pro includes a secure boot chip that prevents your Macbook from booting windows, linux, BSD, gentoo, Fedora, Atlas Supervisor, other Mac O/S/s on a usb, etc.
You CAN boot a 2018 2019 or 2020 Macbook Pro from USB!
But it does take a few steps to get there.
Step One
Boot into Recovery Mode
Boot Mac To Usb
To access Recovery Mode, turn off your Macbook, turn it on and hold the Command (⌘) and R keys. Keep holding them through the chime sound until you see the Recovery Screen below…
Yaaay! You entered a secret level with hidden powers!
Step 2
Click on Utlities (on the menu bar at the top of the screen, don’t click on Disk Utlities in the middle of the screen)
Select ‘Startup Security Utility’ and you’ll get this screen…
Change the settings for both to the same as the image above.
Secure Boot to No Security
External Boot to Allow booting from external media
Exit out, shut down the laptop.
Step 3
Plug in your bootable USB device and boot up your 2018 2019 Macbook Pro from USB, hold the Command (⌘) key and you’ll see the startup disk screen, select the USB and boot it up.
Caveats, notes and disclaimers.
- You need an uefi bootable image. (we’re uncertain of other workarounds for grub at this time)
- You may not have any access to the internal drive. Not sure if it is a linux driver issue or some sort of on chip security, but so far, no access.
- Leaving ‘external boot allowed’ is a risk that if stolen, someone might be able to access the internal drive.
- The law of unintended consequences. Apple rarely supports playing around with bootable O/Ss, you could brick an extremely expensive device.
- Apple does have further detail on the T2 security chip and how to use it. Read more before playing around too much in there.
The better option
If you are looking for a great laptop to run NinjaStik we recommend getting an IBM Lenovo T430i for ~$140 and using it. The T430i is one of the best value for $ deals to run a daily use linux based personal laptop. It’s ugly but it is a solid machine.
Using a $140 laptop for linux and not risking your $5000 Macbook Pro is our recommendation.
Note: SecureBoot bypass and online/live password bypass for Windows 10 is present only in COMMERCIAL LICENSES (UEFI mode only Windows 10 x64).
Not supported: Disk encryption, enabled SecureBoot, tablets (includes Microsoft Surface hybrid), multiple operating systems installed on target computer, debuggers, virtualization, authorization through domain. CD version is deprecated (older version still in the package for compatibility reasons).
All system requirements available in online guide.
- All Windows systems starting from Windows XP to Windows 10 (both x86 and x64)
- Microsoft Windows 10 all versions (32Bit/64Bit -- includes live/online password bypass)
- Microsoft Windows 8 and 8.1 all versions (32Bit/64Bit -- includes live/online password bypass)
- Microsoft Windows Server 2016 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Enterprise 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Datacenter 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Standard 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Web Edition 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Datacenter 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows Vista Business 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic 32Bit/64Bit
- Microsoft Windows XP
SecureBoot bypass and online/live password bypass for Windows 10 is present only in COMMERCIAL LICENSES (UEFI mode only Windows 10 x64).
* Perpetual Personal Licenses include 6 months of free updates and 1 month of free support. A perpetual personal license can be used only by the named person who purchased it. Concurrent usage and license transfer is not allowed. Personal licenses purchased by organizations and business entities are invalid.
** Perpetual Commercial Licenses are available to a developer within a a company or organization, requiring the software for general commercial use. They include 1 year of free updates and 6 months free support. Commercial Licenses registered to a legal entity allow for use of the software on any computer, operating system, and by the registered user within the legal entity. The provided total number of concurrent users cannot exceed the number of purchased licenses.
Please note: One kon-boot license permits the user to install kon-boot on only one USB pendrive. Software will be available for downloading only during free support period (different for each license).
Refund policy: If kon-boot worked successfully on at least one of your computer you're not qualified for refund. You have 14 days to submit a refund request (counting from the day of your purchase). Not meeting / ignoring system requirements won't be accepted for refund. In order to get a refund you will need to provide a video demonstrating your problems with the software (booting target system with kon-boot media). Refund requests without previously mentioned video proof of not working will not be acknowledged. Due to numerous scam cases, 'accidental purchases' won't be refunded. Please purchase carefully.