how do i downlosd big sur without the app store?

Can confirm what @Barney-15E mentioned. Using the Terminal Command " softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 11.4 " without quotation marks worked on a M1 MBA

But, suggest running, again in Terminal " softwareupdate -l " without quotation marks FIRST to make sure it sees the correct version of Big Sur in previous command.

terrence2248 wrote:

how do i downlosd big sur without the app store?

macOS Big Sur Production Download, version 11.4 (20F71)

If that does not work, you can try, copy and paste to Safari browser window:

http://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/55/59/071-00696-A_4T69TQR1VO/9psvjmwyjlucyg708cqjeaiylrvb0xph94/InstallAssistant.pkg

You might be able to get it through softwareupdate in Terminal, but I’m not sure.

softwareupdate --list-full-installers

Lists the available installers.

sudo softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.15

Downloads full installer version 10.15. The version you are looking for is probably 11.4, but I’m not on a Mac to check.

I think it only works on a Mac running Catalina or later, but may work with High Sierra or later. I can’t remember which version has that command set.

Otherwise, App Store is only place to get it.