Apple Certified Support Professional Practice Test

Using an external USB drive to install macOS on a Mac with a T2 Security Chip requires specific settings to configure the security features without compromising system integrity. The correct approach is to change the External Boot setting to allow booting from external media.

This option is crucial because the T2 chip enhances security by controlling how the system boots. By default, it may not permit booting from an external drive to safeguard against unauthorized access. Adjusting the External Boot setting ensures that the Mac will recognize the external USB drive as a valid bootable source, thus enabling the installation process without needing to disable essential security features that protect the system from unwanted alterations or threats.

Other options, while they pertain to security settings, do not specifically address the requirement to use the USB drive for installation while maintaining the security integrity of the device. For example, turning off firmware password protection or modifying the Secure Boot setting to medium security may not be necessary or relevant to the task at hand. Disabling SIP is also a significant security risk and should generally be avoided unless explicitly required for specific troubleshooting tasks.