- Home
- Bootable USB Software
- RufusMac
RufusMac
What it is
RufusMac is a free, GPLv3 open-source macOS app for creating bootable USB installers. It writes ISO, IMG, and DMG images, detecting Windows or Linux automatically, and its catalog links to official downloads for Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Mint, Arch, Kali, Tails, and Windows. Windows 11 options can bypass TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, RAM and CPU checks, plus the online-account requirement. The app verifies images before writing and the drive afterward with SHA-256 checksums. It lists only external physical removable disks, previews commands, and asks for confirmation; writing erases the selected USB. The rmctl companion can list drives, preview pipelines, browse the catalog, and verify checksums. Experimental Ventoy-style multiboot and Linux persistence need real-hardware validation. RufusMac requires macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later on Apple silicon. It is an unsigned functional v0.1 preview, and the repository has no releases available.
For and against
For
- Free GPLv3 open-source app
- Writes ISO, IMG, and DMG images
- SHA-256 verification before and after writing
- Built-in catalog of official downloads
- rmctl command-line companion included
Against
- Requires macOS 26 or later
- Apple silicon only
- Unsigned app triggers Gatekeeper
- Writing erases the selected USB drive
The verdict
RufusMac combines installer creation, checksum verification, safety prompts, and a download catalog in one Mac app. Its preview status, unsigned installation, strict system requirement, and experimental features warrant caution before relying on media.
Who it suits
It suits Apple silicon Mac users who need Windows or Linux installer media and want checksum checks or command previews. It also serves users interested in experimental multiboot or Linux persistence.
Plans and prices
RufusMac
GPLv3 open-source macOS app
Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Checksums
- The app can verify an image before writing and the drive afterward using SHA-256.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Checksum verification
- It can verify an image before writing and the drive afterward using SHA-256 checksums.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- CLI
- The rmctl command-line companion can list drives, preview command pipelines, browse the ISO catalog, and verify checksums.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Data loss limit
- Writing to a USB drive erases its contents, and the project advises checking the selected device.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Download status
- The repository’s Releases page states that there are no releases available.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Image formats
- It can write ISO, IMG, and DMG images, with Windows or Linux detected automatically.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- ISO catalog
- The built-in catalog links to official downloads including Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, Mint, Arch, Kali, Tails, and Windows.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- License
- RufusMac is distributed under GPLv3.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- License and maker
- The repository identifies the license as GPLv3 and credits Harith Dilshan as developer.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Linux persistence
- Linux persistence is listed as a feature, with real-hardware validation still needed.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Maturity
- The README describes it as a functional v0.1 preview and recommends testing bootable media on target hardware before relying on it.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Multiboot
- Experimental Ventoy-style multiboot lets users put multiple ISOs on a drive and choose one from a boot menu.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Multiboot and persistence
- Ventoy-style multiboot and Linux persistence are listed as experimental features requiring real-hardware validation.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Privilege handling
- Privileged work runs through a single macOS administrator prompt, and a dry-run mode prints the plan without executing it.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- RufusMac is a native macOS app for creating bootable Windows, Linux, and other USB installers.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- RufusMac requires macOS 26 (Tahoe) or later on Apple silicon.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Safety
- The project says it lists only external, physical, removable disks and shows exact commands with explicit confirmation before writing.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Safety controls
- The app lists only external physical removable disks, previews write commands, and requires explicit confirmation before writing.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
