Where to download macOS Sonoma 14.7.5 for a bootable USB?

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Level 1

8 points

Where to download macOS Sonoma 14.7.5 for a bootable USB?

I have a MacBook Pro M2 with 512 GB SSD drive and 16 GB RAM

There was no problem downloading Sonoma 14.8.4 from the Appstore but I can't find Sonoma 14.7.5

Does anyone know where I can download this version of Sonoma 14.7.5 so I can create a boot disk on a USB stick... I used a Terminal command to create the first boot disk for Sonoma 14.8.4 which is in the Appstore.

So please help me find SONOMA 14.7.5 from Apple's site... I have the terminal command to create the boot disk but I only need the correct OS (SONOMA 14.7.5)

Looking forward to your help!

-Lasse

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 14.8

Posted on Mar 4, 2026 2:41 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,652 points

Mar 4, 2026 3:54 AM in response to lniem

14.7.5 is not available on Apple's update server. Only 8.2, 8.3, and 8.4

To see what is available, use this command in Terminal

softwareupdate --list-full-installers

To download

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 14.8.2

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Answer 2

iamshivam

Level 2

404 points

Mar 13, 2026 1:30 AM in response to lniem

You’re chasing the wrong problem.

Apple rarely keeps every point release available, so 14.7.5 isn’t something you’ll realistically find on Apple’s CDN anymore unless you already archived the installer, and even if you did, it wouldn’t fix what you’re seeing.

The real issue is that you migrated app data created on Tahoe back into an older OS, and a lot of Apple and third-party apps store database formats inside ~/Library that are forward-migrated but not backward compatible. Mail is a classic example, which explains the abort trap crashes.

The Rosetta errors with your music plugins are another clue, Migration Assistant likely brought over plugin binaries or support files compiled against a newer runtime or different Rosetta state.

What works in studios is this, clean install Sonoma 14.8.x, do not migrate Applications or Library data, reinstall Rosetta (softwareupdate --install-rosetta), then reinstall each DAW and plugin from the vendor installers so they rebuild their support files. After that, manually copy only user files (projects, samples, presets) from the Time Machine disk.

It’s slower, but it avoids exactly the cross-version library corruption you’re hitting.

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Answer 3

Mar 13, 2026 9:09 PM in response to lniem

lniem wrote:

This should be a Apple problem and only Apple has the authority to inform their customers...

"if you update to THAOE you have to go a long way to get your system back if this is your issue"

Think my goal fro this day is to inform musicians around the world to not UPGRADE your OS to THAOMA

I did it and haven't made music for the last couple of weeks - Its a sad history but we learn for every steps we go!

I'm sure it will help others. And thanks for sharing.

I would like to offer a few suggestions & tips to consider for you & others who read your thread.....

People can wait a year or even two before upgrading the OS to the next major version to allow developers to time to upgrade their software. All software including a three year old OS is still fully supported & receiving security patches & bug fixes. Why mess with a stable working system until you need to do so. At some point it will become necessary to upgrade the OS to a new major version. Waiting more than three years may also cause issues when finally taking the plunge to upgrade especially if skipping more than a couple major OS releases.

When you do decide to upgrade the OS, you will need to decide whether to upgrade to the next release or jump two releases ahead. You should be able to do some research to find out if any of your third party software & plugins will have issues with an OS which has been out for a year or two.

Some people will either have a second spare system to test out a new OS to see how their third party software works with a particular OS. Having a second system can also help if you cannot have any downtime if a hardware or software issue does arise. A less expensive option would be to install the newer OS onto an external USB3 SSD where you can migrate your current system or restore from a backup (it would be a good test to ensure your backups are good). You can still use your Mac normally for work, but then boot from the external USB drive with the new OS to test things out. When you are satisfied things work, then upgrade the OS on the internal SSD.

Here is an Apple article with instructions for installing macOS onto an external boot drive:

How to use an external storage device as a Mac startup disk - Apple Support

Here is an Apple article for downloading a specific version of macOS (needed if you are staying a year or two behind the most current release):

How to download and install macOS - Apple Support

Performance may be slower when booting from an external USB3/4 SSD, but it should be sufficient for testing software compatibility.

Before upgrading the OS on your main drive/system:

Make a good backup before installing the OS upgrade (people should always have frequent & regular backups)
Check that all of your third party software is completely up to date
Check that your third party software (including plugins & other music specific items) is fully compatible with the new OS you will be installing (just because you are using the most recent version of an app does not mean it is compatible with the new OS)
- - Check the developer's website for any notes & information on compatibility
  - Check the developer's forums if they have any for discussions related to compatibility issues
  - Check any forums where professionals of your craft discuss their craft & software/hardware to see if anyone is having issues
Read reviews of the new OS release to learn about any major changes to the OS as it may impact or break your established work flows. This is important because it is not always about software compatibility. You may discover some of this by the previous note about by checking various forums.
Have a test system or bootable external drive to check things out before taking the plunge on upgrading the OS on the internal SSD.
Take your time, there is no rush since most people can wait a couple of years if needed.
Be careful when installing OS updates since Apple tends to make it confusing & really pushes the newest major version of macOS. The minor update patches for your currently running OS tends to appear as a hyperlink with very small font size. I've seen a lot of people accidentally click the large button for the major OS upgrade since it does draw you in. People get used to clicking the button for minor OS update patches when they are running the most recent OS so when it becomes an Upgrade button muscle memory tends be hard to resist (I'm guilty too). I understand Apple's side, but I don't think Apple understand our side as regular users who must take time to wait before taking the plunge.

Yes, it is a lot of work, but it will help minimize problems when you do finally upgrade macOS to a new major version which is important if you have a complex setup required for your job & livelihood.

I'm glad you have it worked out, and thanks for sharing.

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Answer 4

Mar 6, 2026 7:10 AM in response to lniem

If I may, and simply out of curiosity, why do you feel the need to focus on the slightly older version?

In typical use, it's usually best to run the latest release of any particular macOS version, given the refinements and fixes that they usually provide.

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Answer 5

lniem Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 7, 2026 1:08 AM in response to D.I. Johnson

Sonoma 14.7.5 was the macOS version i was on when every Software/apps works properly on my system...

Im a musician and i have alot of expensive software... My problems starts when i upgrade my OS to Thaoe.

I waited for several mounts before i do this update, i reed different userexperienses on div. music and software forums and sudenly i felt that the time was right to go for Thaoe...

( Because of your point is actually the right; it's usually best to run the latest release of any particular macOS version, given the refinements and fixes that they usually provide)

That crashes everything for me

i Have a Time Machine backup, this was made when i was on Tahoe.

I downgraded my OS to Sonoma 14.8.4 from Thaoe, this was actual a easy prosess but the problem starts when i plug in my Time Machine drive... Ive trying 2 times with a fres instalasion of Sonoma 14.8.4

The first time i use my transfer assistant, i transfer everything from my Time Machine drive to my new macOS

Then i had to deal with several unknown problems... My apple mail app dosent start, it crashes every time i reboothed my MacBook pro M2 - Several other expensive music apps dosent start at all and so on!

2.The second time I boot up with a fresh install of Sonoma 14.8.4, it works perfectly. That's when I connect my Time Machine disk and use the Transfer Assistant teins starts again in the same way... The different metoder im using his time is that im only transfer files and folders not usersetetings, I choose not to transfer settings... (I hope you can follow me here?) It seems that the same iste happens again (???)

Its alot of work but i think i will go for a clean install of Sonoma 14.8.4 and manualy installert every simple app that i ute in my studio or on my music gigs.

I would be very grateful if you have any ideas or thoughts about why mail won't start after I transferred from Timemachine. I'm pretty frustrated right now..

By the way; Can you or sombody else help me to where can i find Sonoma 14.7.5 for download (???)

Best regards from

Lasse.

(sorry for megalong reply)

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Answer 6

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,652 points

Mar 7, 2026 1:29 AM in response to lniem

If you backed up on Tahoe, it should not let you Migrate anything without upgrading back to Tahoe. If you manage to Migrate data from a Tahoe backup, the storage format of Mail data might have changed such that it crashes Mail in Sonoma. 14.7.5 wouldn’t help in that situation. Who is your email provider? It is likely stored on their server and you do t need to restore that data. You would need to manually restore your other data.

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Answer 7

Mar 7, 2026 1:16 PM in response to lniem

Are you restoring from a TM backup made while you were still on Sonoma?

Like @Barney-15E mentions, you should not be able to restore from a TM backup made with Tahoe. And even if you could, some data contained in various libraries is unlikely to be compatible with the older OS. Such apps include Mail, Photos, Music/iTunes, etc. This is why it is difficult to downgrade an OS....trying to restore the data......from the older backup while trying to also get retrieve the newer files/changes made while on the newer OS (Tahoe in this case).

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Answer 8

lniem Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 10, 2026 12:59 AM in response to Barney-15E

Thank you for trying to help me out here...

I did a TM backup from Thaoe, that's right, but I haven't restored all data from this TM backup to SONOMA, I've also done a clean install of Ventura, and the same thing happens with mail and various other apps here.

For your information, I have NOT restored from the TM disk, I have used the Transfer Assistant that is in the Mac OS toolbox. I have ONLY transferred programs and my files, NOT settings, networks or special files, etc. (Only apps and app data and my files).

In Consol, I get this report on Crashdata for mail:

Termination Reason: Namespace SIGNAL, Code 6 Abort trap: 6

When it comes to several of my music plugins and apps that have previously worked perfectly under both Ventura and Sonoma, I get this "slightly strange crash report" in the console. This applies to all apps that previously worked perfectly in the Ventura/Sonoma bay.

Crash data in Consol is:

Exception Type: EXC_CRASH (SIGABRT)

Exception Codes: 0x00000000000000000, 0x000000000000000000

Termination Reason: ROSETTA 0 (im dere curious about this ROSETTA 0 - What is it actually about ?)

-Lasse

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Answer 9

lniem Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 10, 2026 1:10 AM in response to Barney-15E

Hi!

Main main mailprovider is actually apple...but im using my gmail alt and also windows outlook and live.no totalt 4 different mild adresses, evrery one was just fine before this "Thaoe case" ist so anoing..!

Pleas read this, some of it is about couple of Console crash reports:

Thank you for trying to help me out here...

I did a TM backup from Thaoe, that's right, but I haven't restored all data from this TM backup to SONOMA, I've also done a clean install of Ventura, and the same thing happens with mail and various other apps here.

For your information, I have NOT restored from the TM disk, I have used the Transfer Assistant that is in the Mac OS toolbox. I have ONLY transferred programs and my files, NOT settings, networks or special files, etc. (Only apps and app data and my files).

In Consol, I get this report on Crashdata for mail:

Termination Reason: Namespace SIGNAL, Code 6 Abort trap: 6

When it comes to several of my music plugins and apps that have previously worked perfectly under both Ventura and Sonoma, I get this "slightly strange crash report" in the console. This applies to all apps that previously worked perfectly in the Ventura/Sonoma bay.

Crash data in Consol is:

Exception Type: EXC_CRASH (SIGABRT)

Exception Codes: 0x00000000000000000, 0x000000000000000000

Termination Reason: ROSETTA 0 (im dere curious about this ROSETTA 0 - What is it actually about ?)

Best regards

Lasse

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Answer 10

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,652 points

Mar 10, 2026 1:57 AM in response to lniem

What is “Transfer Assistant?” There is the Setup Assistant that runs when you initially set up the Mac, and there is Migration Assistant. Both methods can be used to transfer data from a Time Machine backup, another Mac, or a Windows computer. There really isn’t a Time Machine “restore” as it once was. It no longer restores the OS. It only restores your data via Migration Assistant.

Rosetta is the translation utility that allows an Intel app run on Apple Silicon.

It is highly probable that some of your music apps are Intel, especially plugins.

Both iCloud Mail and Gmail are stored on the server, so you don’t have to restore anything. Just create the accounts in the OS you install. It will download all tge email from the server.

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Answer 11

lniem Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 13, 2026 2:28 AM in response to Barney-15E

First a clarification of “Transfer Assistant" where I wrote wrong with my bad English... I meant Migration Assistant of course, I have transferred personal files and omitted settings.

I think we are talking about the same problems and fixes of such a downgrade from Thaoe to Sonoma. This is what I have learned after this process; Thaoe uses a completely new file system that makes Apple devices compatible with each other... for example, you can now run iPhone apps - iPad apps on Mac OS Thaoe with Thaoe. A backup from Thaoe will transfer some of these file structures over to a downgraded OS such as SONOMA.

I have tried to fix this by deleting my Backup from Thaoe Timemashine and have made a new Timemashine backup where all my music software and personal files come from SONOMA 14.8.4 (23J319)

A new clean install of SONOMA 14.8.4 I think the way to go is as you also write; Download all instances of software from the website(s) of the Software developers to install them from their systems. But I will try using Migration Assistant one more time, I think my last backup from Sonoma has "got rid of the files from the Thaoe system" !!!

This will be my last attempt to use Migration Assistant from the Timemashine Backup I have from Sonoma.

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Answer 12

Barney-15E

Level 10

123,652 points

Mar 13, 2026 2:42 AM in response to lniem

This is what I have learned after this process; Thaoe uses a completely new file system that makes Apple devices compatible with each other.

The File System is the same as it was in both Sonoma and Ventura.

What changes from OS to OS is how app data is organized, especially Library-based apps such as Music and Photos. You can exporr the files prior to downgrading and the import them from not the old app library.

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Answer 13

lniem Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 13, 2026 12:20 PM in response to Barney-15E

This should be a Apple problem and only Apple has the authority to inform their customers...

"if you update to THAOE you have to go a long way to get your system back if this is your issue"

Think my goal fro this day is to inform musicians around the world to not UPGRADE your OS to THAOMA

I did it and haven't made music for the last couple of weeks - Its a sad history but we learn for every steps we go!

AI want to send a Big THANK YOU to al of you on the Apple forum for trying to help me Out of this mess!

My last take to make my Mackbook Pro M2 Machine (in Norway you hav to pay 27 000.- NKR so it was like Christmas for Amy musicproduction when I Started my new Mac - Im so sad that I was going for the new OS update THAOMA (it ****...Sorry)

Okey people - I I'm going for a manual install of my music software and do I new Timemashine backup when everything I running smoothly!

Best wishes from Lasse -

PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL IN THÌS CRASY TIME WE ALL LIVE IN!

(case closed)

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Answer 14

lniem Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 14, 2026 12:27 AM in response to iamshivam

About chasing the wrong problem!

I think my stubbornness may have delayed this process a lot, but I have learned a lot after trial and error, and all the good tips from the Apple community and my ticket in the Apple Community forum.

After going a long, long way to find the best possible solution to reset my OS back to what worked for all my (yes, you read that right...All my expensive music plugins and systems) The sad thing about this dialogue is that my studio, my entire production has been down since I upgraded to THOMA... About 2-3 weeks of my production and dialogues with my audience and music labels I think this has been a lesson for me!

This actually makes me very sad. I get tons of mail (fortunately I have a Macbook Pro machine in backup so I can keep in touch with my audience, with music labels and so on)

I have tried many different ways to restore what I had before I updated to THAOMA. In my case it was this update to Apple's latest OS that really created a storm of problems for me!

Finally I have to "crawl to the cross" to admit that if you have first updated to such a new OS as THOMA, then you may have rushed too fast. It is a fantastic way to be able to test the new features in such an OS update...

You can create a booth disk that allows you to boot from a USB 3.0 flash drive with e.g. THAOE, then you can test out how this reacts with your new OS etc. In other words you can boot from your new startup drive on a memorystick USB 3.0 (3.0 because of the speed) If this fails completely you can restart from your original booth drive inside your Mac machine usually called your name eg. Jon Dowes MAcbook Pro or something similar.

What have I learned; Can a system that doesn't work within 2-3 weeks cause big problems for you... then you MUST just wait until you have read up on your particular case complex.

I would like to send a big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the Apple forum with tips, and suggestions on what I can do or NOT do to get my Mac back on track.

A BIG THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart TO ALL OF YOU!

-Lasse

This is my home on the internett - go and check it out c

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Answer 15

lniem Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 5, 2026 11:11 PM in response to Barney-15E

Thank you... I will try today and se whats coming out of it!

-Lasse

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