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This copy of the Install macOS High Sierra.app application is damaged and can't be used to install macOS

I'm trying to install macOS High Sierra on a mid-2010 MacBook Pro (7,1). Using a bootable USB, I get the error 'This copy of the Install macOS Sierra.app application is damaged, and can't be used to install macOS'. None of the suggested resolutions with Sierra work due to using a USB. The USB is being created on my MacBook Pro (12,1) and has been used for a successful install on the 7,1 - I subsequently had to finish setup to access system info, so am re-installing the OS, which is what is causing the problem. I've re-created the USB several times and get the same error. Unfortunately, I've since erased the SSD (APFS) and there is currently nothing on it.

Booting using the recovery partition doesn't work either. It connects to Internet recovery, both via WiFi and ethernet. Yet I get an error 'The recovery server cannot be contacted'. The recommended solution to use ethernet does not work, nor am I able to edit the hosts file.

How do I install High Sierra when unable to install from the USB or download directly from the server?

MacBook Pro, macOS High Sierra (10.13), 7,1

Posted on Sep 29, 2017 9:50 AM

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basicdesigns Author

Level 1

25 points

Posted on Sep 30, 2017 12:04 AM

I've no clue where the install DVD has gone. However, I decided to attempt to install El Capitan via USB and got a similar error: 'This copy of the Install OS X El Capitan application can't be verified. It may have been corrupted or tampered with during downloading'. The seemingly accepted answer on StackExchange is to set the date to the current date or one near to when the image was created.

Checking the system date in terminal showed some time back in 2000. I changed it to today's date and time (date MMDDHHmmYY) and it is now installing fine. Unfortunately, I didn't take this opportunity to go back and check whether this solved the problem with High Sierra, due to only having one USB drive large enough and not wanting to reimage it yet again.

Is it possible that the same solution would fix the issue with High Sierra?

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41 replies

basicdesigns Author

Level 1

25 points

Sep 29, 2017 11:06 AM in response to Lexiepex

Because I had originally decided to make some appalling joke about your erased SSD and hosts file comment, then decided better of it.

Thanks for the observation that I can't edit the hosts file on an erased SSD - I'll try and be more explicit in my questions in future so that we can avoid comments such as that :-D

basicdesigns Author

Level 1

25 points

Sep 29, 2017 11:12 AM in response to John Galt

I replaced the original HDD with an SSD years ago. There's no original OS anywhere in sight. Heck, can I still get a copy of Snow Leopard (I think it was)? I have no Time Machine or equivalent backup. Downloading and making a bootable USB has worked fine in the past. It even worked this morning. Why would it suddenly become a problem, unless the version of High Sierra downloaded from the App Store is corrupt? Can I get a hash from anywhere?

Sep 29, 2017 12:21 PM in response to John Galt

The purpose of SIP is to protect system files. The purpose of the installation program is to change system files. The installation program has to disable SIP to install the system files and then enable it when it is done. That's why the computer normally restarts a couple of times during the installation.

My speculation is that Apple developers necessarily run with SIP disabled, and forgot to put code in the installer to disable SIP for the duration of the installation. If so, they will correct that oversight in the next couple of working days.

Meanwhile, I successfully updated a 2012 MacBook Pro and a 2017 iMac just by disabling SIP for the duration of the installation.

I don't see how the hosts file has anything to do with it unless it's corrupt or its original entries were changed for some reason An OS upgrade does not overwrite the hosts file, so you do not start out with a fresh copy. That means your hosts file is as old as your computer. If your computer runs fine now, there's probably nothing wrong with the hosts file.

If you don't have a recovery partition, run a Time Machine backup, then do a full install and restore your data from the Time Machine.

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Sep 30, 2017 1:11 AM in response to basicdesigns

a dead battery can swell and cause issues, even worse when they are starting to leak.

The battery is very easy to replace, don't buy a third party battery they are in general worse than a bad apple battery.

SweetSeb

Level 1

11 points

Oct 2, 2017 6:40 AM in response to basicdesigns

Sorry don't have a answer for you how to install !

I'm in a similar situation, downloaded high Sierra 20 times already from the App Store and keep getting the

This copy of the Install macOS High Sierra.app application is damaged and can't be used to install macOS "

I'm using a 2015 MacBook Air, I did try the Sierra trick, deleting the "InstallInfo.plist" , that got me to the point where the install app would work until it was time to restart the computer and then there was a message saying something like this app is not working and try again, I tried again and it just won't work.

Hope some smart guy out there can help !

Steve-OB

Level 1

4 points

Oct 3, 2017 2:59 PM in response to basicdesigns

I also have this issue, on a new MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016). Multiple attempts to download has not worked and the hosts file (as suggested by another poster) is in its original unmodified state.

This particular MacBook Pro was one of the originals that came from the factory with SIP disabled. The issue was quickly resolved by Apple at the factory and notifications were sent out of the issue. So this particular MacBook Pro came with SIP disabled and upon notification of the issue, I manually enabled it.

I'll attempt to disable it later tonight and see if I can get the upgrade working. But this seems like a basic QA blunder to me.

Sauraus

Level 1

9 points

Nov 29, 2017 9:49 AM in response to basicdesigns

My problem is that 11 out of 14 Mac mini's (2012 late) installed High Sierra just fine from the 2 USB sticks that I made, but the remaining 3 just keep saying that the installer is damage.

I am guessing its hardware somehow? But installing the original OSX versions works just fine.

John Galt

Level 10

155,420 points

Sep 29, 2017 10:30 AM in response to basicdesigns

...nor am I able to edit the hosts file.

Can you explain why? An altered Hosts file could be what's preventing the installation.

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Sep 29, 2017 10:36 AM in response to basicdesigns

Do not do as Kenneth Collins1 proposes.

You can't even when you can not open the RecoveryPartition, so don't waste your time.

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Sep 29, 2017 10:40 AM in response to basicdesigns

-----nor am I able to edit the hosts file......

there is no hosts file on an erased SSD...

basicdesigns Author

Level 1

25 points

Sep 29, 2017 11:09 AM in response to John Galt

Yes, a poor choice of words on my part.

I have no intention of disabling SIP, etc. I'd quite like to know what will fix this problem though...?

Sep 29, 2017 1:01 PM in response to basicdesigns

Apple removed my posts, and I agree with their reasoning. However, if you are having trouble installing High Sierra, just enjoy the weekend, wait until Tuesday, and try again.

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Sep 29, 2017 1:29 PM in response to Kenneth Collins1

rubbish

Sep 29, 2017 1:32 PM in response to Lexiepex

This is Apple, not Microsoft. They will fix it, and it won't take long.

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Sep 29, 2017 1:45 PM in response to Kenneth Collins1

my post "rubbish" was an answer to one of your removed posts.

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This copy of the Install macOS High Sierra.app application is damaged and can't be used to install macOS