softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 15.4.1 / Error

I can confirm the feature remains nonfunctional as of today.

Tried it on two different machines, both running 15.5.

I don't bother with the App Store when great sources like Mr. Macintosh remain available. For instance, here is the download page for all full Sequoia installers, downloaded directly from Apple's servers:

https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-sequoia-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple/

For example, for 15.5, the URL is:

[This is a Direct Download Link]

As an IT pro, I prefer to use admin-level resources and not be kneecapped by seemingly abrupt decisions without notice to anyone other than Apple Developer members [if announcement was even made to them for this deprecation].

The problem-solving mission continues!

[Edited by Moderator]

Quick summary is: macOS 15.4+ breaks softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version

Still works on 15.3.x

If you are a developer or beta tester you can report via Apple Feedback Assistant referencing FB17405690 (my report): https://feedbackassistant.apple.com/

[Edited by Moderator]

SteepedInGreatMystery wrote:

I can confirm the feature remains nonfunctional as of today.

It's a commonly reported problem.

I don't bother with the App Store when great sources like Mr. Macintosh remain available. For instance, here is the download page for all full Sequoia installers, downloaded directly from Apple's servers:

https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-sequoia-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple/

That's always what I use. I wouldn't event attempt the "softwareupdate" tool. As a developer, I try to run with the oldest OS version that Apple will allow. I don't want to take any risks with Apple tools because once Apple force-upgraded me to Sonoma without my consent. I used one of those MrMacintosh links to fix it.

Luis Sequeira1 wrote:

Here is another data point:

1) I tried listing the installers in my MBP.

The list included 15.3.2, 15.4, 15.4.1, 15.5

I tried to download the full installer for 15.5.

It failed as for others here.

2) On a whim, I connected remotely to the Mac I use at work, and tried from there.

That Mac is running 15.5 just like my MBP.

The list was very different (it included some versions of Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma and Sequoia.

This is easy to explain: this is a Mac Studio that came with Monterey originally, whereas my MBP is a new M4 Pro that came with Sequoia.

BUT guess what: downloading the full installer on the Mac Studio WORKED.

I think this is highly dependent on where one is downloading from.

I am currently accessing the internet using my iPhone hotspot.

I plan to try this again later (tomorrrow or the next day) both at home and work to compare.

Interesting as best and thank you for that info

The M2 Desktop originally arrived with Oct 22, 2023 with macOS 13.4 ( 22F66 ) - Out of the Box

The M2 MBA - Mar 9, 2024 - macOS 14.3 - Out of the Box

Yup, M4 Desktop - Oct 28, 2024 - macOS 15.0  ( 24A8332 ) Special Build - Out of the Box

Follow on

" why this command no longer works "

It will work, once the Full Versions are made available by Apple

Refer @ Ian R. Brown posting(S)

Where can I get a complete Sequoia 15.4 i… - Apple Community

Here is another data point:

1) I tried listing the installers in my MBP.

The list included 15.3.2, 15.4, 15.4.1, 15.5

I tried to download the full installer for 15.5.

It failed as for others here.

2) On a whim, I connected remotely to the Mac I use at work, and tried from there.

That Mac is running 15.5 just like my MBP.

The list was very different (it included some versions of Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma and Sequoia.

This is easy to explain: this is a Mac Studio that came with Monterey originally, whereas my MBP is a new M4 Pro that came with Sequoia.

BUT guess what: downloading the full installer on the Mac Studio WORKED.

I think this is highly dependent on where one is downloading from.

I am currently accessing the internet using my iPhone hotspot.

I plan to try this again later (tomorrrow or the next day) both at home and work to compare.

Osiris_21 wrote:

Is there any new information on this one?

I just started on a small project yesterday that relies on getting the latest installer using the 'softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version <version>' command and regardless of OS version I'm seeing the (Install failed with error: Update not found) error as the OP. I've tried the command on 15.4.1, 15.3, and 13.7.4 all with the same result. I've also tried downloading different versions, 15.4.1, 15.4, and 15.3.2 all with the same error.

When I run the 'softwareupdate --list-full-installers' command I do see all of the versions available as expected but can't seem to get a successful download.

This is a command that will sometimes will error out for unknown reasons. I have seen it error out multiple times over the years. Then all of a sudden the command will mysteriously start to work on the same system where it previously failed without any changes to that system. Usually the issue occurs more often after a new release of macOS, but it can happen at any time. The command seems to fail more often in the last couple of years.

Still works for me…

dialabrain@iMac-M3 ~ % softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 15.4.1

Scanning for 15.4.1 installer

Installing: 3.0%

Perhaps you have to run "softwareupdate --list-full-installers" first.

--jim wrote:

This error still persists. Anyone has found any work around for this?

Download Sequoia 15.4 from App Store.

(FWIW a few days ago 'softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 12.7.4' worked while 15.4.1 failed, so it seems this might work for some macOS versions).

dialabrain wrote:

Still works for me…

dialabrain@iMac-M3 ~ % softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 15.4.1

Scanning for 15.4.1 installer

Installing: 3.0%

Perhaps you have to run "softwareupdate --list-full-installers" first.

I tried it the other day on several of my organization's computers running macOS 15.5 and it did not work.

I'll have to see if I have any others here running an earlier version of Sequoia to compare & even see what happens when updated.

FYI, I have seen the softwareupdate command have issues downloading installers multiple times over the past few years. Then one day just suddenly & magically start working again. I've never been able to figure out any pattern or reason although there were times when this seemed to occur when Apple servers were likely under more load due to a new OS release, but not always. And sometimes it will only affect certain installers for downloading, while other time none of the listed installers can be downloaded. Yet other systems many times can access them.

Do not spend any more time with the Terminal command

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 15.4.1

Right Now, on the Apple Apps Store They are still showing Sequoia 15.4

We went through the same exercise when Sequoia 15/4 was First Released March 31. 2025

At that time the Apple Apps Store was still showing Sequoia 15.3.2

Give this adventure in downloading the Full Sequoia 15.4.1 a few days as in 2 - 3 - 4 days for Apple to Sort themselves out

FWIW, when I run "softwareupdate --list-full-installers" it lists 15.4.1 along with previous installers. When I run "softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 15.4.1" it fails with "Install failed with error: Update not found", along with the other versions. So either the command syntax has changed, there's something wrong with the servers, or the command no longer works.

Thank you 😎

Just tried again

Already on 15.5 from M4 Desktop, M3 MBA and M2 Desktop

All results are the same

There are some unformed reports that things may have or may not have changed should there be a Sequoia 15.6

Shall wait and see

refer below

@Ps-Mac-Mini-M4 ~ %  softwareupdate --list-full-installers

Finding available software

Software Update found the following full installers:

* Title: macOS Sequoia, Version: 15.5, Size: 15283299KiB, Build: 24F74, Deferred: NO

* Title: macOS Sequoia, Version: 15.4.1, Size: 15244333KiB, Build: 24E263, Deferred: NO

* Title: macOS Sequoia, Version: 15.4, Size: 15243957KiB, Build: 24E248, Deferred: NO

* Title: macOS Sequoia, Version: 15.3.2, Size: 14890483KiB, Build: 24D81, Deferred: NO

* Title: macOS Sequoia, Version: 15.3.1, Size: 14891477KiB, Build: 24D70, Deferred: NO

@Ps-Mac-Mini-M4 ~ % softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 15.5

Scanning for 15.5 installer

Install failed with error: Update not found 

@Ps-Mac-Mini-M4 ~ % 

Owl-53 wrote:

It will work, once the Full Versions are made available by Apple

Apparently not since none of the previous versions of Sequoia are working. Which I did mention in my other post, as did the OP.