User level: Level 1 (8 points)I am using a Mac Mini with Tahoe 26.6.2 installed, and I am trying to burn a raw image .iso file to make a bootable dvd.
Posted on Sep 21, 2026 8:20 AM
User level: Level 3 (964 points)Sep 22, 2026 3:09 AM in response to Saxton
hdiutil burn can absolutely burn a valid ISO to DVD, but that does not mean the resulting DVD will be bootable on a Mac. Whether it boots depends on what the ISO actually contains and what boot architecture it was built for. If this is a contemporary macOS installer, the .iso approach is generally the wrong path because modern macOS installers are distributed as .app bundles and Apple’s supported bootable-installer workflow targets USB/external storage, not optical media.
If it’s a Linux/Windows or other bootable ISO, hdiutil burn /path/to/file.iso is a legitimate way to write the image directly to DVD, provided the ISO itself contains the appropriate boot information and the Mac supports booting that media. So the first thing I’d verify is what OS the ISO is for, rather than changing the burning command.
User level: Level 1 (8 points)Sep 21, 2026 11:48 AM in response to leroydouglas
This also works:
>> hdiutil burn /Path/To/DiskImage.iso
User level: Level 1 (8 points)Sep 28, 2026 2:12 PM in response to HWTech
Thanks for your input. I found 2.4.1 version of Etcher on SourceForge that works!
User level: Level 9 (78,350 points)Sep 28, 2026 10:09 AM in response to Saxton
Saxton wrote:
What I am trying to do is to create a bootable image on a usb thumb drive to install/run ubuntu on an old laptop. I am trying to do this on a Mac mini running Tahoe 26.6.2
Use the downloaded ISO file as a source for Etcher (Mac, Windows, Linux).
User level: Level 1 (8 points)Sep 28, 2026 2:11 PM in response to Saxton
I found a slightly older version of balenaEtcher on SourceForge, and that version works.
Thank you everyone!
User level: Level 10 (208,430 points)Sep 21, 2026 11:57 AM in response to Saxton
Saxton wrote:
This also works:
>> hdiutil burn /Path/To/DiskImage.iso
I am unclear where you get a legitimate .iso for a contemporary macOS...
ref: Install macOS on an external storage device and use it as a startup disk
How to use an external storage device as a Mac startup disk - Apple Support
User level: Level 9 (78,350 points)Sep 28, 2026 11:49 AM in response to Saxton
Saxton wrote:
This is the error I get when I try to select the downloaded .iso file in Etcher:
Error: (0 , h.requestMetadata) is not a function
Did you choose the Intel/AMD64 version for the Ubuntu download?
Edit: It appears the current version of Etcher v2.17 has a bug. I also get this error when trying to load the ISO file.
Are you familiar with the command line?
I believe UNetBootin will work, but I don't really like their website these days (I also don't like how they will sometimes modify the image placed onto the USB stick).
User level: Level 10 (208,430 points)Sep 21, 2026 9:50 AM in response to Saxton
Use file format ."app" and use a USBflash thumbdrive not DVD .iso
ref Create a bootable installer for macOS
User level: Level 1 (8 points)Sep 21, 2026 10:58 AM in response to leroydouglas
Thank you, Leroy!
User level: Level 10 (208,430 points)Sep 21, 2026 11:29 AM in response to Saxton
Saxton wrote:
Thank you, Leroy!
Good computing Saxton!
User level: Level 1 (8 points)Sep 28, 2026 9:33 AM in response to Saxton
What I am trying to do is to create a bootable image on a usb thumb drive to install/run ubuntu on an old laptop. I am trying to do this on a Mac mini running Tahoe 26.6.2
User level: Level 1 (8 points)Sep 28, 2026 11:04 AM in response to HWTech
This is the error I get when I try to select the downloaded .iso file in Etcher:
Error: (0 , h.requestMetadata) is not a function
User level: Level 1 (8 points)Oct 1, 2026 12:29 PM in response to Saxton
The BalenaEtcher version is 2.1.4 on SourceForge, not 2.4.1 as I wrote above.
Originally posted at discussions.apple.com/thread/256361997