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TINU

TINU is a free, open-source macOS application for creating bootable installers through a graphical interface for Apple’s createinstallmedia utility.

Place
#13 of 38
Score
6.1
TINU's website

What TINU is

TINU is a free, open-source macOS application for creating bootable installers through a graphical interface for Apple’s createinstallmedia utility. It detects and prevents common mistakes when making bootable vanilla installers and works with installer apps containing createinstallmedia, including beta and newly released installers. TINU can format a target drive or partition when required, and it offers integrated downloads from Apple for many macOS and OS X installer apps. Additional tools include an EFI partition mounter and automatic Clover and OpenCore EFI folder installation. The project says it uses Apple’s official createinstallmedia method. Requirements include Mac OS X Yosemite or later, an installer app from Mavericks or newer, and a target drive or partition of at least 8 GB, with larger minimums for some installers. English and Italian are listed languages. The GitHub repository has been archived and read-only since February 1, 2025. Version 3.0.1 is the latest listed release and is described as tested with macOS 13 Ventura.

Good

  • Graphical createinstallmedia interface
  • Detects common installer errors
  • Can format target drives
  • Integrated Apple installer downloads
  • Includes Clover and OpenCore EFI tools

Watch out

  • macOS only
  • Repository is archived and read-only
  • Support is not guaranteed
  • Requires at least 8 GB target storage

Who it suits

It suits Mac users who need a graphical way to create bootable macOS installers and related EFI setup. Users should be comfortable with the stated macOS, installer, and storage requirements.

Verdict

TINU provides a focused graphical front end for Apple’s installer-creation method, with drive formatting and EFI utilities included. Its archived status and unsupported maintenance model are important considerations.

Plans and prices

From TINU's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
FreeFreeOpen source under GNU GPL v2 or later · support not guaranteed

The facts

Each one read from TINU's own pages, with the date it was checked.

Where it runs

Apple installer downloads
The app offers integrated downloads from Apple for many macOS and OS X installer apps.checked 8 Oct 2026

What it does

Availability status
GitHub marks the repository archived and read-only since February 1, 2025.checked 8 Oct 2026
Drive formatting
TINU can format the target drive or partition when needed, so Disk Utility is not required first.checked 8 Oct 2026
EFI tools
TINU includes an EFI partition mounter and automatic Clover and OpenCore EFI folder installation.checked 8 Oct 2026
Error prevention
The app detects and prevents common errors when creating bootable vanilla macOS installers.checked 8 Oct 2026
Installer compatibility
It works with macOS installer apps that contain createinstallmedia, including beta and newly released installers.checked 8 Oct 2026
Intended use
The project describes TINU as educational and demonstrative software and says it is not intended for commercial purposes.checked 8 Oct 2026
Languages
The README lists English and Italian as the currently supported languages.checked 8 Oct 2026
Latest listed release
The releases page lists version 3.0.1 as the latest release and says it was tested to work with macOS 13 Ventura.checked 8 Oct 2026
Purpose
TINU is an open tool for creating bootable macOS installers through a graphical interface for Apple’s createinstallmedia utility.checked 8 Oct 2026
Requirements
The README specifies Mac OS X Yosemite or later, a macOS installer app from Mavericks or newer, and a target drive or partition of at least 8 GB, with larger minimums for some installers.checked 8 Oct 2026
Security and method
The project says installers are created using Apple's official createinstallmedia method and describes the results as clean vanilla installers.checked 8 Oct 2026
Support
The project says it does not guarantee support because it is an open source project maintained in free time.checked 8 Oct 2026

The company

Founded
2017checked 28 Sep 2026

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