A Required Download Is Missing

Talked to an Apple specialist today and thought I'd post his answer in case anyone still has this issue. He had me restart my MacBook Pro and hold Command+Option+R until a spinning globe appears after the restart. He said this era of laptops' certificates for Mac OS X reinstalls have expired, so the option listed above drives the computer to search for essentially an updated reinstall certificate online. Hope this helps!

It looks like you have to use "Internet Recovery Mode" instead of just "Recovery Mode". I was having this same issue and had to hold `option+cmd+R` on reboot to get into recovery mode, from there I was able to format the internal memory then proceed to "Reinstall Mac OS X". From there just follow the instructions on the screen. Hope this helps!

TS

Given that my MacBook is in stuck state I assume you need another Mac to make a boot disc on a Flash drive or similar using Disk Maker X?

I think that you can make a bootable USB from a Windows computer too. I saw threads on this as I searched how to do it. YouTube is your friend here.

Thanks for the quick reply Grant.

I can get into the recovery console with OS X utilities and i can click on Reinstall OS X

Once I click continue i get the popup that says "To download or restore your OS X your computer's eligibility will be verified with Apple"

once i click continue on this it says " loading installation information"

Then i get the Yellow triangle with "A required download is missing"

I am not trying to go backward, the screen says i am trying to install El Capitain, i would happily go to a newer version, but i have now way of selecting that.

I thought if i restart with CMD + R it would download the latest version OS X that was compatible with my hardware which is High Sierra.

Ugh, I have this very same problem. In both the Command-R and the Option-Command-R approaches to reinstall, I get error messages that a download is missing. Any other ideas? Thanks very much for your help!

Hi Grant,

I'm trying to restore a friend’s iMac 2011 to factory settings. I erased the partitioned disc and now it’s prompting me to reinstall Mavericks OS X. However, after attempting to download, I get the error “required download is missing.”

Have I done something wrong? Can you help me through the next steps?

I am having this same problem. When I try to reinstall OS X Yosemite I receive the message "to download and restore OSX your computer's eligibility will be verified with Apple." I click continue and get text yellow triangle with the message "a required download is missing". How do I correct this and get the "required download?"

I have read all of these responses and have yet to find a solution.

I am stuck.

Hi, I have the same problem.

When I press as you suggested - command>option>R - the globe appears on the screen with “Starting Internet Recovery. This may take a while” and then just appears to stay dormant. How long should I wait before I expect some action on the screen?

I’m attempting to fire up a mid-2011 iMac which I recently purchased and using the latest apple keyboard & mouse (both wireless).

I had this same issue with 2012 iMac running Mountain Lion. I called Apple Support. Was told I need to repurchase Mountain Lion install discs even though I am original owner of iMac. Just $20. Okay, did that, but instead of something on my porch, I got a download and license code. I called Apple for instruction. I was told not possible to complete installation (you will notice that while you can connect to Safari after erasing your drive and trying to restore, you can NOT connect to iCloud or apple store). She also threw in a bonus tidbit - they don't even sell the CD's. I was offered a refund, but that it had to be approved by manager - who would call me back. I received a call at 9:00 PM but missed it. I called back in, somehow got to senior advisor who says it can be done via the download, and she would email me instruction. Was still going to refund me and I said no - as long as it works I am happy. Tried instruction - no go. Called again just last evening. Was told it is not possible - they would not let me talk to senior advisor - but rep talked to one while I was on a one hour hold. Offered refund again. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. I am sure many of you are like me - 4 iPhones, 5 iPads, 2 iMacs, 2 Mac minis, headphones, etc. etc. Unfortunately, while Apple has figured out a way to have more cash on hand than our government, they are now biting the hands that feed them. Like most of you, I followed to a "T" the apple support instructions for restoring Mac to factory settings to sell or give away - I have done this a bunch - at least a half dozen times in past with no issue. When I explained that to the first rep I spoke with, she said "we really ought to warn people about our instructions on older Macs". Wholly cow, do you think? I love Apple products, but support has gone from a 10 to about a 3 in last decade under their current leadership. Awful. I now have a large, odd-shaped paperweight - and still no refund.

I have this exact same issue on 2011 IMac

I go into recover console and trey to reinstall OSX and after trying to verify eligibility i get error "A required download is missing"

If you never upgraded to macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later

If macOS Sierra 10.12.4 or later was never installed on your Mac, macOS Recovery works differently:

• • • Command-R is still the recommended way to start up from macOS Recovery. This combination makes sure that the installation isn't associated with your Apple ID, which is important if you're selling or giving away your Mac.
    • Option-Command-R installs the macOS that came with your Mac, or the closest version still available.
    • Shift-Option-Command-R isn't available.

from:

How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support

If you was a more recent version, download that from within MacOS.

None of these worked for me - I tried everything possible in the link you posted with no success.

In the end I created a bootable USB which worked fine until it told me my disk had SMART errors.

I dont know if that was what was causing the errors and the recovery install just could not determine that was what the problem was.

Now have replaced my HD and ran install from bootable USB and all working now - but the only way around the "A required download is missing" error i had was to create a bootable USB.

The only problem with this is that you need another MAC to download the install files with - which luckily I have but not everyone has.

1. how rude
2. Disk Maker X will not work with the .dmg installers you now get from Apple. It will also not work on an older OS. If you have the right installer then sure it's nice, but not necessary as you can use a terminal command or install OS directly on the bootable USB.