This tutorial shows you how to create a separate volume (partition) on your Mac’s internal drive to installmacOS Venturaon it.
Using this method, you will havetwo macOS versions on the same Mac. The first volume will have the macOS you’re currently running (likely macOS Monterey), and the second volume will have macOS Ventura. You will be able to start up your Mac into either one.
Why create a separate volume for macOS Ventura
So, instead of installing macOS Ventura on my MacBook’s main volume and saying goodbye to macOS Monterey, I have created a second volume: a partition of my Mac’s internal drive. On the main volume, I have macOS Monterey with all my old files and everything. And on the second volume, I have a fresh install of the new macOS Ventura.
Let me show how you may create a macOS Ventura partition on your Mac and boot into it.
Note:Most people are familiar with and use the termpartition. Thus, while I have used the words “volume” and “partition” interchangeably in this article, in reality, both are different. As perApple, “partitioning a diskdivides it into individual sections known as containers.” However, with APFS (default file system format for recent Mac computers), you shouldn’t partition your disk in most cases. Instead, create multiple APFS volumes within a single partition (as it offers flexible space management).
Breakdown of steps
We will also look at how to boot into macOS Ventura or your current macOS whenever you want.
How to create a macOS Ventura volume on Mac
Follow these steps to add a new volume to run macOS Ventura on your Mac:
1)OpenDisk Utilityon your Mac running macOS High Sierra or later.
2)From the left sidebar of Disk Utility, select your main APFS volume; in other words, your internal drive. It should sayMacintosh HDoryour name.
3)ClickEditand chooseAdd APFS Volume.
4)Give it any name you want. I’m usingmacOS Ventura beta.
5)For Format, you can selectAPFSinstead of other options.
- Tip:APFS volume can manage space, but it’s good to clickSize Options, give a minimumReserve SizeandQuota Size, and clickOK. I have gone with a 30 GB reserve size, which ensures that 30 GB will always remain available for this macOS Ventura volume. And for quota size, I have entered 50 GB.
7)Finally, clickAdd.
Once the volume is created, clickDone.
Next, get macOS Ventura on this newly created volume.
How to install macOS Ventura on your Mac’s second volume
First, make sure your Mac meets therequirements to run macOS Ventura.
At the time of writing, macOS Ventura is still in developer beta. If it weren’t in developer beta, you could have downloaded it from the Mac App Store like you may downloadmacOS Monterey,macOS Big Sur,macOS Catalina,macOS Mojave, ormacOS High Sierra(on a compatible Mac).
But currently, macOS Ventura is only available for developers, so log in todeveloper.apple.com, sign in with your developer account, and download the developer beta profile for macOS Ventura. If you don’t have a developer account, you may be able to find beta profiles on third-party websites. However we do not condone these sites.
Once the beta profile is installed, it will automatically open the Software Update screen inside System Preferences. ClickUpgrade Nowand wait for the huge macOS file to finish downloading.
Once that’s done, it will automatically open the macOS installer.
Continue with the installation, and on the screen that says “macOS 13 beta will be installed on the disk,”select the second volume(that you created earlier). In case you don’t see it, clickShow All Disks.
Afterselecting the second volume, continue with the installation.
That’s all there is to it. The installer will install macOS Ventura on your Mac’s new volume. You will have to restart your Mac when prompted.
After that, you will see the black screen with the Apple logo and a progress bar a few times.
Once that’s done, you get the beautiful macOS Ventura setup screen. Complete this and enjoy the new macOS Ventura on the same Mac in a different volume.
Related:33 things to do after setting up a new Mac
Alternatively, you can also learnhow to create a macOS Ventura USB installer. After that, you can install it on the second volume you created above.
Troubleshooting
How to boot your Mac in macOS Ventura or old macOS
You can start up your Mac into any one of the macOS versions installed on it.
First,shut down your Macand follow the steps below:
If your Mac has Apple silicon, press the power button once and then immediately press and hold it until you seeLoading startup optionson the screen. Now, select the volume with your old macOS or macOS Ventura and clickContinue.
If your Mac has an Intel processor, followthese steps to pick a startup disk for your Mac at boot time. It’s simple and involves pressing and holding theOptionkey immediately after pressing the power button. After that, select the desired volume and click theup arrowor press theenter/returnkey.
