How to download full installer Monterey to create bootable thumbdrive

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-g Author

Level 4

3,285 points

How to download full installer Monterey to create bootable thumbdrive

Never had problems finding the full installer macOS downloads

until now

I WANT THE FULL INSTALLER TO CREATE A BOOTABLE THUMBDRIVE INSTALLER

I want to do an Erase before the install is why I want the full installer

I may be able to access that feature from Key combinations for an Intel-based Mac (bottom page)

have a 2014 Mac mini running Big Sur -- software update gives me update download option, but -- surprise -- it restarted and automatically installed Monterey (yikes) -- not an installer icon in Applications like I expected

have 2017 iMacs running Mojave they give me App Store option that appears to have the familiar option for downloading the OS installer Monterey (which will install on these machines) but clicking through gives macOS Monterey "Update Not Found" and "Is Not Available" -- and jumps me to Ventura (I don't need Ventura)

I have a TB of free disk space, healthy Mojave systems (no haxies or conflicting softwares)

I found this which is my exact issue:

macOS Monterey "Update Not Found" and "Is… - Apple Community

I found Terminal commands but it appears something has changed:

sudo softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 12.3.1

softwareupdate --list-full-installers

any help in locating through this progress appreciated... my goal is to get the installer in my App folder from a web link or functional App Store -- I don't get the rocket science

PS

This may work (Im waiting on the installer to finish) -- but what a painful work around to juggle huge multiple downloads/installs on multiple drives to update one proper

Key combinations for an Intel-based Mac

Command (⌘)-R: Start up from the built-in macOS Recovery system. Or use Option-Command-R or Shift-Option-Command-R to start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. macOS Recovery installs different versions of macOS, depending on the key combination you use.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Dec 29, 2024 11:16 AM

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Answer 1

-g Author

Level 4

3,285 points

Dec 29, 2024 3:53 PM in response to g_wolfman

thanky g_ -- I actually worked off that link earlier before posting but I will give it a fresh try:

"use macOS Recovery" (booted Command (⌘)-R"

I confirmed that gave me the Recovery Disk Utility and Reinstall macOS Monterey options

I expected

still no familiar Monterey installer in applications folder like I'd hoped

It most likely will erase a target SSD and install a fresh copy of the OS

"use the App Store" (booted from Mojave on supported iMac 2017):

RESULTS:

"use a web browser for older versions"

options do not go above Sierra 10.12

so I don't know if that option places an installer in Applications folder

"use a bootable installer"

"To download an installer suitable for creating a bootable installer, use the App Store or use a web browserto download from a compatible Mac. The Mac must also be using the latest version of macOS Sierra or later."

I was using latest version of Catalina (10.15x) to go to macOS 12 but got the same results in App Store and web browser on Mac mini 2014 (a supported hardware) see above screenshot

IN FACT: I found my old bootable USB thumbnail Monterey 12x installer that I used in the past -- Boot+OPT listed the thumbnail as bootable, but the Mac mini booted in Recovery (it refused to boot off my previously good bootable USB installer I made from a previous Monterey download installer a few years ago)

I had seen that phenomena a couple years back with a different macOS installer -- I just presumed the USB thumbdrive was corrupted but now I think Apple expired them from working

and has changed the rules for downloading their Intel OS installers into System Applications folders like we used to do to make USB bootable installers

WHAT DID WORK (as I wrote above) was Software Update from Catalina to Monterey but it surprised me it ran the upgrade with no pause or chance to stop it (I even watched Applications to see if the Monterey installer appeared so I could stop the process -- I didn't see it)

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Answer 2

-g Author

Level 4

3,285 points

Jan 4, 2025 10:16 AM in response to -g

the clue to solving or fixing came on another Monterey thread: it was pretty easy to imagine what might work based on the screenshots and comments dialabrain posted because I knew what didn't work. But I am not sure if we are allowed to discuss the information w/o being moderated, but I will see if my post gets edited.

HERE IS HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL MACOS INSTALLERS (what worked for Monterey):

1: Be booted off the macOS system you want to DOWNLOAD

2: go here How to download and install macOS - Apple Support > USE THE App Store METHOD> Click on Monterey (or the OS you are booted off of)

3: In App Store, click on GET

4: (you should get a DOWNLOAD button option> CLICK on it

5: Software Update will show a downloading progress bar

6: process will end with Applications (folder)> Install macOS Monterey icon

you can install from running that installer, or Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support - Apple Support

Lastly Monterey is destined to become one of the classic macOSes to run the Intel Macs -- like 8.6, 9.1, 10.8.6 -- I would recommend if you want to run your macOS in the future be sure you have a full installer on hand

HERE IS A SCREENSHOT OF MY PROCESS (it reflects the 1-6 method and steps above in case it is deleted):

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Answer 3

g_wolfman

Level 4

2,416 points

Dec 29, 2024 11:49 AM in response to -g

Get the installer from the App Store, but don't run it: How to download and install macOS - Apple Support. If it tries to run automatically once downloaded, Quit or Force-Quit the installer.

Once downloaded from the App Store and in /Applications, make a bootable installer from the command line: Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 4

g_wolfman

Level 4

2,416 points

Dec 30, 2024 8:47 PM in response to -g

If the App Store isn't working, this should be a link to the direct Full Installer download from Apple's CDN: https://swcdn.apple.com/content/downloads/02/18/052-96238-A_V534Q7DYXO/lj721dkb4wvu0l3ucuhqfjk7i5uwq1s8tz/InstallAssistant.pkg. It might require that you use Safari to access it.

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Answer 5

-g Author

Level 4

3,285 points

Dec 29, 2024 4:19 PM in response to -g

-g wrote:

IN FACT: I found my old bootable USB thumbnail Monterey 12x installer that I used in the past -- Boot+OPT listed the thumbnail as bootable, but the Mac mini booted in Recovery (it refused to boot off my previously good bootable USB installer I made from a previous Monterey download installer a few years ago)

I had seen that phenomena a couple years back with a different macOS installer -- I just presumed the USB thumbdrive was corrupted but now I think Apple expired them from working

CORRECTION

I booted my old USB thumbnail Monterey 12x installer that I used in the past

on my iMac 2017 running Mojave

It appears to be booted off the installer -- RECOVERY by the apple logo threw me off -- but the "Install macOS Monterey Use the attached installer to Upgrade or install macOS." -- I can get back on my old workflow with ERASE from DISK UTILITY option -- then the INSTALL option

sorry I am starting to confuse myself...

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Answer 6

-g Author

Level 4

3,285 points

Dec 30, 2024 9:11 AM in response to -g

I see my screenshot under

"use the App Store" (booted from Mojave on supported iMac 2017):

RESULTS:

have disappeared from my earlier post

I'm curious if my screenshot was deleted by a moderator or an anomaly since no edited notation is present

but to be clear

My App Store (also where "use a web browser for older versions" go) ends with:

Update not found

The requested version of macOS is not available. (my emphasis)

Apparently macOS Monterey download full installer is no longer available through the Apple App Store

The following screenshot shows Safair address bar at discussions.apple.com

the App Store window open with GET loaded

with Software Update on top of that with the error:

Update not found

The requested version of macOS is not available.

The screenshot is tightly cropped to document the process I'm talking about and the problem I am seeing -- I have no idea why would be deleted -- but I am reposting it to see if it happens again BECAUSE the screenshot saves me writing 500 words and it is definitive to the problem for anyone else unable to find a solution or fix.

if this is indeed a moderator issue I will know and can move on (again).

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Answer 7

-g Author

Level 4

3,285 points

Dec 31, 2024 9:57 AM in response to g_wolfman

thanks again g_ for your attention

your link doesn't work in Mojave Safari 14.1.2

on a compatible iMac 2017

it loads a blank white page with no source code

Chrome loads

Access to swcdn.apple.com was denied

You don't have authorization to view this page. HTTP ERROR 403

FireFox same blank white page

SAFARI ON iOS 18.2 iPhone 16 Pro Max same result (blank white page)

CAN YOU TEST THE LINKS -- I would really like to download fresh installers for some of the older macOSes and make my bootable thumb drives like I used to do in the past...

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Answer 8

-g Author

Level 4

3,285 points

Dec 29, 2024 11:34 AM in response to -g

After the full Monterey installer rebooted:

Key combinations for an Intel-based Mac

Command (⌘)-R

gave me the Recovery Disk Utility and Reinstall macOS Monterey options

I expected

still no familiarMonterey installer in application like I'd hoped

like I wrote: progress...

STILL WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL INSTALLER to have an installer in my app folder to create a bootable thumb drive

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Answer 9

Dec 29, 2024 12:02 PM in response to -g

I would give it up I I were you, because that's my machine, I report it to the police. , Mr -G

T

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