If you have an ISO file on your Mac and need to turn it into a bootable or usable disc, Disk Utility can still handle the job without extra software.
In this example, I used an Ubuntu ISO and burned it through Disk Utility with a disc already loaded in the Mac's SuperDrive.
Quick Answer
Open Disk Utility, drag the ISO file into the Disk Utility window, select the ISO from the sidebar, confirm the source image is selected, then click Burn. With a blank CD or DVD already inserted, Disk Utility will start the burn process after you confirm.
What You Need
The process is simple, but you do need the basics in place first: an ISO file, Disk Utility, and a writable disc in an optical drive.
In my walkthrough, the ISO was an Ubuntu image and the Mac already had a CD loaded in the SuperDrive.
- An ISO image file
- Disk Utility on macOS
- A writable CD or DVD
- A Mac optical drive or external disc burner
Add The ISO To Disk Utility
Start by opening Disk Utility. Then take the ISO file and drag it into the Disk Utility window.
Once it is added, the ISO should appear in the Disk Utility sidebar. Click it so Disk Utility knows which image you want to burn.
Check The Source Image
After selecting the ISO, Disk Utility shows the source image information. This is the quick check that you are about to burn the correct file.
If you have multiple disk images or drives visible, take a second here and make sure the ISO you selected is the one you actually want on the disc.
Burn The Disc
With the ISO selected and a writable disc already inserted, click Burn.
Disk Utility will ask you to confirm the burn. Once you do, it writes the ISO image to the disc. For this kind of basic ISO burn, there is not much more to configure.
Why This Is Useful
This is handy when you need to create a Linux installer disc, archive an ISO to physical media, or use an older machine that still boots from CD or DVD.
The important part is that you are not copying the ISO file onto the disc like a regular document. You are burning the image so the disc contains the contents of that ISO.
Key Takeaways
- Disk Utility can burn ISO images on a Mac without extra software.
- Drag the ISO into Disk Utility, then select it from the sidebar.
- Make sure the correct ISO is selected before clicking Burn.
- Insert a writable CD or DVD before starting the burn.
- Burning an ISO is different from copying the ISO file onto a disc.
Watch the Video
The video above above if you want to see the short Disk Utility walkthrough and where the ISO appears before clicking Burn.
