How to update Ventura without upgrading to Sonoma?

I wanted to see if my mac mini was to Ventura latest update, but the ''About this MAc'' just show me Ventura 13.6.


The search updates just show me upgrade to Sonoma which I don't want for now.


Is Ventura really at 13.6 ? Should I see a 13.6.something ? Under ''More info'' I see nothing else.


Thanks in anticipation,



Mac mini (2018)

Posted on Oct 7, 2023 2:22 PM

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Posted on Feb 3, 2024 10:05 AM

Ventura 13.6.4 - Downloading the Installer


You should have 35GB to 40GB of free storage. Apple menu bar icon (upper left corner) -> About This Mac -> More Info... -> Storage


12+GB for the InstallAssistant.pkg. 12+GB for the “Install macOS Ventura” app. And the rest is used during the install, as existing operating system components are replaced with new components.


You will get most of the storage back after the upgrade completes.


If at home, disconnect from the VPN so you get your ISP’s full bandwidth.


Using any web browser, download the following URL (it is 12+GB):


https://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/32/13/052-33049-A_UX3Z28TPLL/702vi772ckrytq1r67eli9zrgsu8jxxoqw/InstallAssistant.pkg


The above URL will download InstallAssistant.pkg to your Downloads folder.


Double-Click on the InstallAssistant.pkg file.


This will place a copy of the app “Install macOS Ventura” in the Applications folder.


NOTE: Before starting the installation, it is wise to backup any important files before applying a major operating system upgrade.


Finder -> Go (menu) -> Applications -> Install macOS Ventura


Double-Click on “Install macOS Ventura”


This should start the Ventura installation.


After the installation is complete, check the System Settings -> General -> Software Update and make sure there are no incremental updates available (hopefully not, but check to make sure).


The Applications -> “Install macOS Ventura” will delete itself after the install. Then you can delete the Downloads -> InstallAssistant.pkg to recover that 12+GB of storage.

19 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Feb 3, 2024 10:05 AM in response to cnovice

Ventura 13.6.4 - Downloading the Installer


You should have 35GB to 40GB of free storage. Apple menu bar icon (upper left corner) -> About This Mac -> More Info... -> Storage


12+GB for the InstallAssistant.pkg. 12+GB for the “Install macOS Ventura” app. And the rest is used during the install, as existing operating system components are replaced with new components.


You will get most of the storage back after the upgrade completes.


If at home, disconnect from the VPN so you get your ISP’s full bandwidth.


Using any web browser, download the following URL (it is 12+GB):


https://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/32/13/052-33049-A_UX3Z28TPLL/702vi772ckrytq1r67eli9zrgsu8jxxoqw/InstallAssistant.pkg


The above URL will download InstallAssistant.pkg to your Downloads folder.


Double-Click on the InstallAssistant.pkg file.


This will place a copy of the app “Install macOS Ventura” in the Applications folder.


NOTE: Before starting the installation, it is wise to backup any important files before applying a major operating system upgrade.


Finder -> Go (menu) -> Applications -> Install macOS Ventura


Double-Click on “Install macOS Ventura”


This should start the Ventura installation.


After the installation is complete, check the System Settings -> General -> Software Update and make sure there are no incremental updates available (hopefully not, but check to make sure).


The Applications -> “Install macOS Ventura” will delete itself after the install. Then you can delete the Downloads -> InstallAssistant.pkg to recover that 12+GB of storage.

Feb 3, 2024 8:28 AM in response to lanstrad1

The Software Update panel will show the currently available operating system that one can upgrade too, and potentially below that, the text "Another update is available." and a More Info… link. When you click on that link, it will show any currently available update that is available for the installed operating system if among the two previously supported releases (e.g. Monterey, Ventura) if the main upgrade shows Sonoma.


So if that More Info… link showed Ventura 13.6.3 and Safari 17.3, clicking these would install these choices and not Sonoma.

Feb 3, 2024 11:07 AM in response to cnovice

I've had better luck from the Safe Mode because I evidently had some 3rd party software that interferes with the downloading and installing so try the following:

#1 - boot into Safe Mode according to Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support.

NOTE: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3-5 minutes as it's doing the following; 
• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed
• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)
• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically
• Disables user-installed fonts 
• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


#2 - go to the System/Software Update preference pane and begin the download.


#3 - run the installer from the Safe Mode.


What makes you think Sonoma will slow down your Mac?

Oct 8, 2023 1:49 AM in response to lanstrad1

Using the following Terminal command on Sunday Oct 8, 2023


This is what I am getting


softwareupdate --list-full-installers


Finding available software


Software Update found the following full installers:


* Title: macOS Sonoma, Version: 14.0, Size: 12555162KiB, Build: 23A344,


* Title: macOS Ventura, Version: 13.6, Size: 11657005KiB, Build: 22G120,


* Title: macOS Ventura, Version: 13.5.2, Size: 11655353KiB, Build: 22G91,


* Title: macOS Ventura, Version: 13.5.1, Size: 11655520KiB, Build: 22G90,


* Title: macOS Ventura, Version: 13.5, Size: 11654590KiB, Build: 22G74,


* Title: macOS Ventura, Version: 13.4.1, Size: 11513284KiB, Build: 22F82,


* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.7, Size: 12107687KiB, Build: 21G816,


* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.6.9, Size: 12111110KiB, Build: 21G726,


* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.6.8, Size: 12119078KiB, Build: 21G725,


* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.6.7, Size: 12115649KiB, Build: 21G651,


* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.7.10, Size: 12125478KiB, Build: 20G1427,


* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.7.9, Size: 12125714KiB, Build: 20G1426,


* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.7.8, Size: 12120994KiB, Build: 20G1351,

Feb 3, 2024 12:33 PM in response to BobHarris

Is the updated Ventura version necessary to prevent bugs? In Safari, the google and gmail webpages are blacked out in addition to my webcam. I don't know if this new version will fix those issues. Also, will I lose open web pages after I install The updated Ventura version? I have all these web pages I wanted to review but they are black out due to this issue or I want to keep those web pages to read when they're not blacked out.

Feb 3, 2024 12:39 PM in response to cnovice

These days Ventura updates are just bug fixes and Security updates.


Applying a Ventura update should not affect any of your data, nor what tabs and windows your web browser opens when it launches.


But no one knows the future, and something could go wrong. Which is why it is always wise to have a backup before applying any update or upgrade.


I’ve been working with computers for 50 years, most of the time nothing happens, but given enough time eventually something does, and I have been thankful to have backups.

Feb 3, 2024 1:16 PM in response to cnovice

cnovice wrote:

Thanks, I was finally able to update Ventura using this link. Guess what? It fixed the black screen issue on websites. However, my web cam still has a black screen. So, I don't know how to fix this issue and I need the web cam to work for meetings.

Boot macOS Safe Mode:

Start up your Mac in safe mode - Apple Support


If 3rd party software is involved, Safe mode should not start it when you boot.


And make sure you take the post-it note off of the camera lense 😁. And yes I have a post-it note covering my Macbook Pro camera.

Feb 3, 2024 2:51 PM in response to cnovice

My web cam works now. After the followed the following steps to reset my web cam, the message in Command stated no matching processes so I'm not sure if this helped or not. Right after, I quit all applications in the dock since I read that another application could be using the camera although no meeting software was opened.


"To restart your Mac camera, go to 'Applications,' then click on the arrow next to 'Utilities' and scroll down to 'Terminal. ' When the Terminal window opens, type in 'sudo killall VDCAssistant' and hit 'Enter. ' Enter your administrator password (if requested) and hit 'Enter."

Feb 3, 2024 5:03 PM in response to cnovice

My web cam works now. After I followed the following steps to reset my web cam, the message in Command stated no matching processes found so I'm not sure if it helped or not. Right after, I quit all applications in the dock since I read that another application could be using the camera although no meeting software was opened. Then, my web cam worked.


"To restart your Mac camera, go to 'Applications,' then click on the arrow next to 'Utilities' and scroll down to 'Terminal. ' When the Terminal window opens, type in 'sudo killall VDCAssistant' and hit 'Enter. ' Enter your administrator password (if requested) and hit 'Enter."


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How to update Ventura without upgrading to Sonoma?

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