I'm trying to find an answer for user that needs the full installer for High Sierra. He selects to download macOS High Sierra from the App Store. However, the installer arrives as a small 19 MB file that does not include the BaseInstall.dmg or any other components of the actual installer. Trash and download again with same results. He tried on both iMac and MacBook Pro.
iMac with Retina 5K display, macOS Sierra (10.12.6)
There is at least one other report on this site: Unable to create USB Boot Disc
After I download High Sierra from App Store, there is a folder inside my Applications - Install macOS High Sierra 19.9MB .
Then I saw a new folder "macOS Install Data" after I click on Macintosh HD with content 5.16GB
See if there is a folder with that name and those contents at the root level on that user's Mac.
I don't know if its contents could be used to install HS, so it might be best to just delete it and start over. Perhaps the App Store won't download HS again if it remains there.
Tried Safe Mode?
What about creating a new, test User Account, then logging in under the App Store with the Apple ID used for his usual account.
No proxy servers?
If the problem persists it's likely to be caused by something external to the Macs: the particular network, his ISP, or the DNS Server(s) used. The solution is to use different ones.
Where in the App Store? Is it showing up in your friend's Updates list?
I have seen a couple of other complaints about this. I just tried the suggested approach, which is to click on the download link in the banner on the "Featured" page. I ended up with the full 5.18 GB install app.
Yes, he did try in App Store by clicking on the main banner.
Using the comments on the link you gave for Macintouch, we are guessing it's a firmware issue. It's possible that once you click on the small download, it will do the firmware update THEN download the full installer. He has to do some backups first before trying this out. Will get back to let you know what happens if you click on the small file to install.
He did go to the Apple Store and was able using their machines to download the full installer so he has this as a backup option if using the small installer fails.
The Macintouch site is the only other place I've seen this issue being discussed. It is a lengthy thread and a bit hard to follow with their format but very useful.
It is seeming fairly likely that the small download is related to the firmware update. Still something of a problem, though, since some are reporting that they can’t salvage the install app when the process begins with the stub installer.
The thread at Macintouch is dealing with all issues related to High Sierra, so as you say, it’s a lot to work through, but there are some very savvy folks there and the information tends to be very good. It’s one of my daily must-see sites.
http://osxdaily.com/2017/09/27/download-complete-macos-high-sierra-installer/
Will this help?
When I downloaded from the App Store, the first thing it told me was that it needed to download a tool to install. I didn't pay much attention to it. I'm not sure if that came first, then the download. I just let it work like it needed to. So, I'm not sure if the tool came first, then the download.
The folder "macOS Install Data" at root didn't show up until he selected to install from the small updater. When he quit the small update installer, the folder at root disappeared.
Update on what user tried.
2015 iMac 27" with El Capitan (failed at home)
2012 MBP 15" with Mavericks (failed at home and at App Store)
Checked firmware version for both Macs and both were updated.
Was able using new Mac at App Store to download a copy and saved to USB drive.
Thanks to all that provided great info on this issue.
hi i got the same problem when downloading Macos High Sierra
only Got 19.9mb file
i use that to update from MacOs Sierra to High Sierra
then run Hight Sierra
then formated with disk tools to extrernal drive to its formate
and then run macos High Sierra setup Again and done clean install to External usb3 Drive
Hi first time posting so please be kind. I had the same issue could not D/L full High Sierra only the 19MB file on Yosemite. I used this to install the new OS took about 2 hours. Clicked the download option on App Store again this time the full 5.1 GB file was downloaded took about an hour to D/L.
Hope this helps
If I'm logged in, I cannot reply to user Whatsinausername. Oh well.
From what I gathered here and other forums and my own tests, you can download High Sierra full installer from the latest supported OS versions, 10.11.6 and 10.12.6 — including 10.13 itself of course.
I was having this issue tonight and had read through a lot of forums without any answer.
When I would select download on the High Sierra page within the MacApp Store - It was only downloading the 19MB file as many have mentioned - however I couldn't get the full installer.
I gave up searching for the answer and I removed the 19MB installer from the Applications folder and emptied the trash.
I then restarted the computer and ran all the software updates to current Operating System (Sierra).
I went back into the MacApp store and selected download on the High Sierra OS. It the downloaded the full 5.0GB file.
Can't believe it was that easy. Hopefully this can help some other people too.
Hi John,
Thanks for the suggestions. Just talked to user and they are going to try the suggestions tomorrow. I'll get back to you as soon as I hear back.
Thanks kahjot for these other options. I'll get back with details as soon as I hear from friend.
There is some discussion of this at Macintouch (running through the various High Sierra discussion, which is lengthy).
Feedback from user:
New user did not work.
Safe boot did not work.
We don’t have a proxy. I took the machine to Starbucks internet café and it did not work there.
macOS High Sierra installer downloads as 19 MB file
