A Required Download Is Missing

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.

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.

https://diskmakerx.com/

In the future Disk Maker X will solve all these issues.

The error is related to the tiny & hidden recovery partition on your Machintosh HD being missing.

Disk Maker X restores that...and even makes it easy to grab any OS version you need from official Apple sources.

And there you have it, problem solved in one post...instead of endlessly confusing others with "superior knowledge".

Hi! I Have an old Mac Book Air 2011. I want to give it away. I tried reinstalling OS X Yosemite but get the following message “a required download is missing”. What can I do?

colemanja wrote:

<<it told me my disk had SMART errors.>>

SMART was supposed to give us an early warning of disk Troubles, but it does not do that job. By the time you have SMART errors, so many Bad Blocks are accumulating on the drive that it is no longer able to hold a copy of MacOS and your precious files, and needs to be replaced.

The "even worse" problem with SMART is that the drive can be no good LONG before it sounds the alarm.

367guru wrote:

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!

There are at least two cases, one for older Macs that do NOT have Internet recovery in their ROM, and one for Macs that DO have Internet recovery in their ROM.

colemanja has posted another possibility, that the drive is no good.

Your are late to the party, and it is very difficult for anyone trying to help now to keep the different cases straight. The best help for you is to start a new discussion, with a title that will attract readers to help your specific issue. Be sure to include the model Mac, by year, early mid late, and screen size and processor speed.

I have tried this and it prompted me to login to the internet. I did that and now there has been a globe on my computer screen for 20 minutes and nothing else has happened. I'm not sure what to do now.

I had to log in to explain my solution to this problem. It was incredibly frustrating and I think Apple has not made it easy.

TLDR: I had to create a bootable installer from a 2008 macbook I had laying around. This allowed me to use the OLD app store to download the proper installer.

My struggle: A prohibitory symbol on my late-2011 Macbook Pro after erasing. I could not re-install the OS using any of the recovery mode options (command, R, option). I tried them all and a download was always missing despite being connected to the internet. I then attempted to create a bootable installer using the new computer with Catalina. Downloads from Apple.com for bootable installers came as a .dmg and those never worked. What I needed was the installer file with the down-arrow called "Install mac OS ____". With the new App Store after OS Mojave it was impossible to download these. I even tried torrenting this product from The Pirate Bay and putting it on a bootable USB. This would have worked but then during installation I got the error message: could not be verified. I then tried an old CD installer for Snow Leopard. Apparently this was too old for a 2011 MacBook Pro.

Luckily I had an old 2008 MacBook which allowed me to use the OLD app store to download "Install macOS Lion" and install that on a bootable USB. Finally after hours of troubleshooting.

Installers you saved years ago may have a certificate inside the Installer image that has expired.

A new download (by any method) seems to include an updated certificate that allows the Install to proceed.

Same problem.

I had saved this:

https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/boot-mode-startup-keys-mac/

which included my solution: command>option>R

Right away, my MBP began downloading.

We shall see what results.

Thanks for all of the advice on this thread guys. I've managed to restore an iMac with El Capitan using the guidance here.

A few top tips for anyone with the "A required download is missing" problem.

First create a bootable USB drive as detailed earlier in this thread.

Then, and this foxed me for a long time as I'd connected a non-Apple bluetooth keyboard, to be able to boot from the USB you need to Shutdown the computer (not just Restart it). Then simultaneously hold down ALT and press and hold the power button. Very shortly afterwards a new screen appears. This then allows you boot from the USB (I couldn't do it from the OS X Utilities page although it seems to offer this as an option).

Once the USB drive boots up you can install it to the hard drive on the computer. However, mine had a faulty hard drive so I attached an SSD via USB (the SSD had been partitioned using an alternate Macbook) and installed El Capitan on that.

The final problem I encountered was this: "This copy of the Install OS X El Capitan application can't be verified. It may have been corrupted or tampered with during downloading."

My heart sank because I though I'd fixed the problem. However, thanks to the wonders of the internet, I found advice on how to change the date/time of the computer using Terminal. Changing the time of the computer then removed this warning and El Capitan installed.

I remember when I first converted to Apple, it's main selling point was "it just works"..........

Anyway, very pleased to have recovered an iMac so thanks again to all of you for your top advice and help.

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.

Grant, just wanted to say thanks for your very quick replies to this and for helping out - it was much appreciated.

Thank you this saved my 2012 that I tried to update to el cap from lion.