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I have got Unetbootin and have put the files onto my drive which is properly formatted as MS-DOS(FAT) and GUID. I have several folders and files: [BOOT], boot, casper, dists, EFI, install, isolinux, md5sum.txt, pics, pool, preseed, README.deskdefines. When I go in Startup Disk in System Preferences, or press option in startup, it doesn't show the drive, when I go in Disk Utility, click on the drive, then info, the table shows Bootable: no. I do not know why this is happening, as I followed the legitimate steps. I would like still to install Ubuntu on my MacBook Pro 2018, thank you.

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2 Answers 2

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First of all, unetbootin or any other ubuntu usb flasher wont "break" your usb. If your usb is givving you an error when plugged into mac os saying"unrecognized drive", then this is GOOD! Mac os cannot read a linux filesystem by default. It definitely cant read an ext4 filesystem. The only linux filesystems mac os can read are ext2 and maybe ext3, but even then, that is with the use of external software like Fuse. The linux filesystem is not native to Mac OS, therefore, the os cannot read the disk. However, the linux filesystem CAN be read by intel hardware (which all apple macs use now). Therefore, your mac will be able to read the flashed ubuntu usb and boot the ubuntu installer by you either holding the alt/option key on boot, or if that doesnt work, by installing refind boot manager and using that as a bootloader to boot your usb. If you are trying to dual boot mac and ubuntu, you will most likely need to download & install refind anyway, as that is how you should be selecting which os you want to use at boot. Lastly, because linux is not recognized by Mac OS, it is doubtful that there is a way to get your ubuntu partition (or usb for that matter) to show up in the system preferences boot profile. Once again, to boot your ubuntu partition you must hold the proper start up keys for disk selection at boot, or install refind.

The only possible way that these methods won't work or your bootable USB won't be bootable, is if you are using the following outdated hardware:

  1. PowerPC based Mac
  2. a much older 64 bit mac with a 32bit efi (such as the 2006 core 2 duo models)
  3. An older mac that is 32bit using a 32bit efi.

It is highly doubftful that you are using of these types of macs as they are almost 20 years old. Therefore, if you are not able to boot your ubuntu install disk, it tells me that you are doing something wrong, as opposed to the USB stick being "Broken".

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Did you run and install etcher?

https://tutorials.ubuntu.com/tutorial/tutorial-create-a-usb-stick-on-macos#3

Here's the manual way to make a bootable USB https://help.ubuntu.com/community/How%20to%20install%20Ubuntu%20on%20MacBook%20using%20USB%20Stick

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  • Yes, but since it broke my USB twice, I don't think it is a valid option, thank you for helping, though.
    – Aphrodite
    Sep 9, 2018 at 4:31
  • How did it break your USB?
    – r2a2
    Sep 9, 2018 at 4:37
  • After the flashing is finished, there is a popup window saying it cannot recognize my USB.
    – Aphrodite
    Sep 9, 2018 at 4:39
  • Did you try to boot from the USB after that? Maybe it flashed correctly?
    – r2a2
    Sep 9, 2018 at 4:41
  • No, it didn't work.
    – Aphrodite
    Sep 9, 2018 at 4:45

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