How To Create ISO Disc Image from CD/DVD in Mac OS X
Most Mac users are not aware of taking image of a DVD/CD. In the Disk Utility there is a option to create image file, but even though it creates .cdr format which only supports Mac. So we cannot share our image file with our friends who use other operating systems like Windows or Linux. Here I am going to show you a simple method to create ISO disc image (globally used image format) without using any third party apps. Really it is possible? Yes it is. Just using Disk Utility and Terminal, we can create an ISO disc image on Mac OS X. So now you can share your ISO image file with all your friends who use other operating systems too. This tutorial is simple and clean, just follow every step and you will be done. Lets back on track.
Also Read: How to make bootable USB drive to install OS X Mavericks
All you Need:
- DVD/CD which you are going to taking a image
- Optical Drive/Super Drive (If you mac doesn’t have Optical Drive inbuilt, but you can use external optical drives)
- Insert the CD/DVD into Optical Drive and wait for it loads.
- Now Open Disk Utilities (You can get from /Applications/Utilities/Disk Utility)
- After Disk Utility is loaded, you can see your disk is mounted in the left side bar of the Disk Utility. Select the Disk.
- Go to File->New->Disk Image and Select the Source of the Disc. (Name of the disc will be shown).
- Now in the Popup box, In Save As text box, Type the Name of the image file as per your wish and select the place where to save the image file in Where section.
- Select the Image Format to DVD/CD Master and Keep the Encryption option as None. Recheck the options, which should be like below image. Then hit Save button and wait till it saves the image file.
Tips: keep the name short and Save the file in Desktop or easily navigating folder, So we have to type easily again in conversion method.
How To Convert CDR File Image to ISO File Image
The output Image file will be in .cdr format. In Mac .cdr image works perfectly. However we have to change as .iso file format which is globally accepted by all operating systems. Now we are going to convert .cdr image file to .iso file image using terminal. So Now we are going to do something little bit typing in Terminal. Don’t worry i will guide you every single step.
- Launch Terminal (/Applications/Utilities/)
Now my .cdr image file is located in desktop. So Lets Navigate to desktop in terminal by following command. (use proper command to navigate to your file location.)
cd desktop
and hit Enter/Return key. Now your Terminal is targeting your desktop location. Now type the following command to convert the .cdr file to .iso file. ([filename] should be replaced with your file name of cdr file. Check below image.) and hit Enter/Return key. It will start converting.
hdiutil makehybrid -iso -joliet -o [filename].iso [filename].cdr
Now the terminal have converted your .cdr image file to .iso image file, which can be read by operating systems like Windows and Mac. This is the simple way to create iso image file from DVD or CD without using any third party apps. Now you can burn this iso to DVD/CD. To Mount this image just double click the file in Mac and In windows you need virtual drives to mount the iso image file. If you have any doubts, kindly drop us in comments.
If you like this post, Share it to your friends. Dont forget to Subscribe our Feeds, Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
About Author
Vincent George
Full Stack Developer | Blogger | Webmaster | MAC user | App Developer | Programmer | Freelancer | Technical Writer | Web Developer | Social Media Promoter | Pro Gamer. Catch Me on Facebook | Twitter Read more about Me and iMacify
Thanks! But on OS X 10.6.8 the syntax didn’t work. I had to change it to:
hdiutil makehybrid -o win7install.iso -iso -joliet win7install.cdr
“win7install” is the name I gave to the disk image
Confirmed that hdiutil makehybrid -o [filename].iso -iso -joliet [filename].cdr works in 10.9.1.
Thanks for the adjusted syntax, now works a treat, the older syntax just created a blank iso 🙂
Last login: Sat Nov 15 00:41:56 on ttys000
george-willss-imac:~ CaptainBeauregard$ cd desktop
george-willss-imac:desktop CaptainBeauregard$ hdiutil makehybrid -o fitty.iso -iso -joliet fitty.cdr
hdiutil: makehybrid: attach of disk image failed: 16
hdiutil: makehybrid failed – internal error
george-willss-imac:desktop CaptainBeauregard$
This does not work. The file name of fitty does not compute; furthermore, it looks like the audio folder in fitty.cdr is EMPTY…
Thanks!
Mattijs… you saved the day. Thank you. Your syntax worked fine.
Does the actual file on the desktop not update to be called [filename].iso? Mine is still .cdr!
no, it should make a copy with the same filename. Then you’ll have “Jack.cdr” and new file “Jack.iso” side by side in the same location. Just did it and had to retype the commands a couple times (without the brackets, I am a true beginner I guess) but it worked GREAT!!! THANK YOU!!!
works perfect many thanks gays!!!!!!!
You might want to check your spelling.
haha … Yeah
You are welcome!!
Great post!
Thanks for that, helped me a lot 🙂
I am a member of IEEE. THis organization allows to download windows system for free for its members. I already downloaded the system. Now I burned as an “.iso”, unfortunately I am getting a message that my disk is not bootable while trying to install :/ I tried another option and burned a dvd with “.cdr”, and again I am getting the same message (no bootable disk…). Any idea what’s wrong? Is there any special way of burning Windows system to a disk? Among the files I downloaded (from IEEE website) I can see autorun.inf/boot/ bootmgr files or folders – so files that are responsible for autorun are def there. I am trying to install Windows on my Mac via Parallels. I used to have Windows XP before, installed on my Mac, but that time I had original Win disk with me – there was no problem with installing, now it is a mess, not sure why :/ Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I believe that the iso has to be mounted before it will become bootable. Or mounted and have it’s contents burnt to a cd or a bootable usb stick (or something of the sort) to become bootable media.
Thank you ever so much. This worked like a champ! Bravo!
Thanks so much. Exactly what i needed.
its working perfect… 🙂 thank u
I am running Windows 7 and followed every step in making the .iso file. But it doesn’t seem to be any file executable in Windows on the iso-file. .Cdr is only readable in OS X but I seem to have the same problem with this iso-file. Have I done something terribly wrong?
Any help appreciated.
Thanks! works on OSX 10.9.4
BEAUTIFUL!!! Saved me a ton of time and worked perfectly on OS X 10.9.4 first time. Was stumbling to install Win 8.1 from DVD in Boot Camp until I found this gem. Thanks much!
Just to point out the obvious for those that have a problem…there can be no spaces in the [filename]. In case you didn’t guess, I did this the first time but it should have been obvious.
Thanks a lot for this very useful post!
I believe the info below – after conversion is OK? Image created OK?
Creating hybrid image…
……………………………………………………………………………………..
hdiutil: makehybrid: could not eject source disk image
OSX 10.10
/Asger
Same problem here. Please help! 🙁
This does not work. either you are not explaining EXACTLY WHAT TO TYPE, and where, or I am not putting it in right… or this whole thing is just not working…
Please, if you would, TYPE EXACTLY WHAT I NEED – so I can just drop and drag it over. The file name is
ffifty.cdr
just like that… no brackets and capital letters. Please type it in into all that gobbledy-gook if you would. I can not read what this writer (who types in broken English) is trying to tell me…
I also believe I have to first of all prep this “terminal bash” thing, whatever that it, by typing in the words:
cd desktop
RETURN
and then drop and drag gobbledy-gook statement line
RETURN
and then it should say something other than verb not found, or failed, or take a hike!!!
Thanks!!
Geo
Gracias por la INFO!
Thanks so much guys. Worked perfectly.
What I learned is to skip terminal completely and just change .cdr to .iso in finder. It seems to work for me.
haven’t written all comments, but this works for dvds which are shared over Ethernet to!
(the dvd drive was in a windows 7 computer, which was shared over ethernet)
in disk management take “disk image from folder” instead.
Worked like a charm for me (after I remembered to remove the brackets. Love the way the writer uses the images to help guide people. Just out of curiosity, what program are the screenshots being edited in?
Does NOT worn on Mountain Lion:( See below:
MacUsers-MacBook-Pro:desktop trfdc$ hdiutil makehybrid -o Inspect.iso -iso -joliet Inspect.cdr
hdiutil: makehybrid: attach of disk image failed: 16
hdiutil: makehybrid failed – internal error
hdiutil: makehybrid: could not eject source disk image
Help please
Try writing to a different file than you’re reading from
Awesome! Thank you!!!!
hdiutil: makehybrid-iso-jolet-0: verb not recognized
I’m getting this comment
If you’ve got a space key on your keyboard, try using it.
you need to have a space between each command (hdiutil makehybrid -iso -joliet -o)
Thank you, this worked perfectly!
I got stuck when my .cdr had white spaces. Make sure to save as one word, e.g. “VINCE.cdr” not “Vincent’s Great Adventure.cdr”
Or escape the name. I believe “Vincent’s\ Great\ Adventure.cdr” or single quote the name like ‘Vincent’s Great Adventure.cdr’.
When I mount the .iso I get a file on my desktop – [Filename_DVD] and when I open that it doesn’t play like a normal DVD instead it opens up a directory with two folders: Audio_TS and Video_TS… is this what it means to mount an iso? if so, why would anyone want to do this? Is there another way to play the iso as if it were a normal DVD? Am I doing something wrong? D:
Thanks so much for this post! We were able to convert it to ISO using this method! Thanks again!
Thanks! Very helpful!
Help!
hdiutil: makehybrid: attach of disk image failed: 16
hdiutil: makehybrid failed – internal error
I usually don’t play in terminal, is there anything that can be done?
Daniel:desktop danielmullen$ “cd desktop
> “hdiutil makehybrid -iso -joliet -o Vanish.iso Vanish.cdr
-bash: cd desktop
hdiutil: command not found
please help!!
Love you guys, thank you, sorted
Hi,
I’m trying to create DVD iso file to upload a film to CreateSpace on Amazon. This is what I get when trying to produce it following the instructions above. I’m having a terrible time .
Last login: Sat Aug 1 21:17:48 on ttys000
MichellaresiMac:~ michellecesare$ cd desktop
MichellaresiMac:desktop michellecesare$ hdiutil makehybrid -iso -joliet -o A Pioneer’s Foresight.iso A Pioneer’s Foresight.cdr
hdiutil: makehybrid: multiple sources specified
hdiutil: makehybrid failed – Invalid argument
MichellaresiMac:desktop michellecesare$
Any other suggestions? I’ve tried everything.
Working great so far. let’s see if the .iso is OK for the folks on the other end. You are a life saver!
It seems to work OK in 10.9.5, it’s very easy to create a ISO file. BUT when I try to play the file at my XBMC media center, it only starts the first chapter (about rights), and afterwards I not able to click at the “play movie” button ?
best regards
Morten Magni (Denmark)
For those of you who do not like to use terminal for things, you can do this in a MUCH simpler way. You follow the same steps in Disk Utility –> Select your DVD –> New Image –> [Filename-whatever-you-want] NO SPACES!, and make sure you beside image format and choose CD/DVD Master, and the location you want, i.e. Desktop. Let it all run and when finished SINGLE click on the new .cdr file, press enter/return and then if you would like to change the file name you have that option here again, then scroll to the end where .cdr is and change to .iso press enter. When prompted if you want to make this change press “use .iso”. and You’re done. No terminal required. I’ve used this and its how Apple instructs users to install Windows 8.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203909
Thanks a million! Your instructions are easy enough for me to follow 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Kind Regards
should you get the error below:
hdiutil: makehybrid: attach of disk image failed: 16
make sure the images are unmounted in the disk utility
Awesome! Thanks!
Works grate on El Capitan 10.11.1
hdiutil makehybrid -o filename.iso -iso -joliet filename.iso.cdr
Yayeee what a easy way love this method worked like a charm… i was trying to download 3rd party app for this then i found this site.
Thx 🙂
Great post!!! It helps for a newbie like me.
ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! Nice job! Thank you for posting straight-up usable directions. I had trouble with my name because it had “&” in it and terminal inturpted that as a command I am sure and error out. I renamed the file without “&” and worked perfect the first time. Can’t thank you enough!
Author’s original syntax worked fine for me using macOS Sierra v10.12 – 3 different disks converted from .cdr to .iso, installs in Windows 10 went perfectly. Thanks!
Oh, and to reinforce what others have said, spaces in your filename either need to be escaped, or rename your file(s) without spaces.
On Mac running 10.11.6 El Capitan seems working as well – thank a lot !
iMac-di-Dino:desktop dinobrusco$ hdiutil makehybrid -iso -joliet -o Chiesa_2017.iso Chiesa_2017.cdr
Creating hybrid image…
………………………………………………………………………………………..
iMac-di-Dino:desktop dinobrusco$
I tried converting a .cdr file to a .iso file. The .cdr file is a movie file. The conversion ran okay, but there is no sound in the movie. The converted .iso file is smaller than the.cdr file.
What went wrong?
Thanks,
Don James