Error "createinstallmedia: command not found" when trying to install Sierra

I'm kinda losing my mind over this:

Right now I'm trying to set up a bootable stick in order to install macOS Sierra to my obsolete Mac Mini.


This is not the first time that I'm doing this, so in the first place, I've tried to do it the "old-fashioned way", using the command:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume <...>


However, this is the first time that bash tells me, that if I'm trying to create a install media, I should use the command "createinstallmedia" with the following syntax:

createinstallmedia --volume <path to volume to convert> --applicationpath <path to Install macOS Sierra.app> [--force]


As I've tried to use the "new" command, I was told that this command cannot be found.


Has anyone experienced this with Sonoma yet? I can't remember coming across this problem in Ventura...


Cheers

boolean

Posted on Oct 16, 2023 4:22 AM

Reply
2 replies

Oct 17, 2023 7:36 AM in response to boolean_j

Hi boolean_j,


Thanks for posting in Apple Support Communities.


What we are finding for creating a bootable installer is found in Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support. Just make sure you are following the steps for "Mac with Apple silicon" or "Any other Mac".


If you still need help, reach back out and let us know which Mac you are using with macOS Sonoma.



Take care!

Oct 18, 2023 12:38 PM in response to boolean_j

The Sierra installer has a bug when creating a USB installer which Apple decided to ignore for many years now (they decided to hide the installer from view for many years instead). You need to modify one character in a single file of the installer to get it to work. Here is a post with the instructions:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251380944?answerId=252685520022#252685520022


Unless you absolutely need macOS 10.12 because you have an audio app which won't work with later versions of macOS, then I would recommend installing macOS 10.13 instead since any machine compatible with 10.12 should be compatible with 10.13.



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Error "createinstallmedia: command not found" when trying to install Sierra

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