Command not found error trying to create bootable usb drive

If you are not running Monterey (or whatever is the current OS), you will download the “stub” installer which cannot be used to create the bootable installer.

Apple seems to want new installs to be conducted over internet.

However, if running Catalina or Big Sur, you can try to download the full installer via softwareupdate in Terminal.

softwareupdate —-fetch-full-installer —-full-installer-version 12.0.1

Try keeping the volume names exactly as in the suggested terminal command:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

I named my flash drive MyVolume and it got changed to "Install macOS Monterey beta" when I crested a Monterey beta installer.

Try keeping the volume names exactly as in the suggested terminal command:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume

I named my flash drive MyVolume and it got changed to "Install macOS Monterey beta" when I created a Monterey beta installer.

You have to go into the installer app, into the Resources folder and use this file:

baldner wrote:

I keep getting a "command not found" error message. I copied the terminal text string for Monterey exactly (changing only my external volume name) as it appears on the apple instruction page. And the "Install macOS Monterey.app" is in my Applications folder. Any idea what the problem is?

Lets see your Command line as you entered it, copy and paste it here.

From Terminal you should be able to see it:

history

baldner wrote:

I keep getting a "command not found" error message. I copied the terminal text string for Monterey exactly (changing only my external volume name) as it appears on the apple instruction page. And the "Install macOS Monterey.app" is in my Applications folder. Any idea what the problem is?

Barney-15E makes a good point....

I had no issue getting the full installer when running Big Sur and clicked on the Monterey Upgrade.

The command line "createinstallmedia"

depends on the fact the full installer is sitting in your Applications folder: "Install macOS Monterey.app"

It is ~12-13 GB in size.

If it is not there then the command can not run.

If the installer launches automatically, you simply quit it like any other application.

Once the installer runs the "Install macOS Monterey.app" removes itself from your Mac.

I had no issue getting the full installer when running Big Sur and clicked on the Monterey Upgrade.

Perhaps they have finally abandoned that, or there are other criteria it uses to decide what you get.

baldner wrote:

OK. A few further details. I am currently running Monterey 12.0.1. In my Applications Folder is the app "Install macOS Monterey.app".

Taking another suggestion from a response to my question, I have renamed my usb drive to "MyVolume".

The line I enter into Terminal is exactly as I copied it from the instructions on the Apple page: "sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyVolume"

After I run the command, it asks for my password. Once I enter it, I get the following response: "sudo: /Applications/Install macOS Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia: command not found"

Everyone replying here gets your post... ad infinitum

For the record can you state the exact Mac..an Intel 16" MBP or a M1 16" MBP(?)

and the GB size of the Installer sitting in your Applications folder(?)

Your command line looks correct; I run the same command with no Installer in my Applications folder it reports exact same error. So the command line is correct....not the "command not found" ...

but simply the command can not be completed—so I would expect a corrupted installer(?)

Either the installer is corrupt

or

You are not logged into your Admin/User account

or

?

I would delete the installer, I would empty the trash, I would re-download the installer via the Terminal.app as posted above by Barney-15E.

and try again if you are determined.

baldner wrote:

I ran the terminal command exactly as you entered it above: softwareupdate —-fetch-full-installer —-full-installer-version 12.0.1

But what I get in terminal is a list of the parameters. It doesn't seem to run the command. Have I copied it wrong?

I then tried adding "-d" telling it to download, but got a message saying "no such update available."

Has to be sudo

sudo softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 12.0.1