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How to Download Catalina to create Bootable Installer - Link doesn’t work

I found the Apple Support article “How to create a bootable installer for macOS“ - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372


I cannot download the macOS to the Applications folder. I am running Catalina and trying to download Catalina. When I click on the link, it tries to open the App Store and it won’t download. Please help

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Dec 3, 2020 5:58 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 3, 2020 8:05 AM

MartyB518 wrote:

I found the Apple Support article “How to create a bootable installer for macOS“ - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

I cannot download the macOS to the Applications folder. I am running Catalina and trying to download Catalina. When I click on the link, it tries to open the App Store and it won’t download. Please help


Verify you are using the Safari browser to initiate the download:


Catalina try : https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-catalina/id1466841314?ls=1&mt=12

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 3, 2020 8:05 AM in response to MartyB518

MartyB518 wrote:

I found the Apple Support article “How to create a bootable installer for macOS“ - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

I cannot download the macOS to the Applications folder. I am running Catalina and trying to download Catalina. When I click on the link, it tries to open the App Store and it won’t download. Please help


Verify you are using the Safari browser to initiate the download:


Catalina try : https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-catalina/id1466841314?ls=1&mt=12

Dec 3, 2020 6:25 AM in response to MartyB518

In order for the link to work you must be using your Safari browser, Firefox will not work.


How to get old versions of macOS – Apple Support


Go down to Download OS and click on macOS Catalina.

This'll redirect you to the App Store Catalina download page.

It should say Get or Download.


Before upgrading make a full back up of your Mac.


Check that third party apps you use have updates available for the new OS.

https://roaringapps.com

Check that your printers/ scanners etc have updated drivers and software available for the new OS.


Connect your mac to your router via cable rather than rely on WiFi.

Do not use your mac while it is downloading

and do not use any other devices that share the same internet connection.


If the App Store says ‘Open’ then it is detecting a previous download of the install app

go to the Applications folder locate Install macOS Catalina.app.

Move it to the Trash, empty the Trash.

Restart, click on the link again, the App Store should say ‘Get' or 'Download'.


If you are considering upgrading to Catalina or Big Sur be warned they do not support 32bit apps.

Your Mac is probably running 32bit apps and these will need to be updated to 64bit apps,

some updates may be free, some may be paid. Use this app to discover which apps you have

are 32bit, https://www.stclairsoft.com/Go64/ then contact the developers of the software to see

if they are providing 64bit updates or alternatives.



How to Download Catalina to create Bootable Installer - Link doesn’t work

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