How To Get the Actual Catalina Full Installer (Not just the Update)

[honestone33]

Please excuse me if this is covered somewhere else, but it seems really frustrating to not be able to download the FULL Installer for Catalina. No matter what I try, trying to obtain Catalina from the App Store keeps telling me it is not available from the App Store!

Here are the sequence of screens I go though:

1. Result of doing a search for "Catalina" in the App Store:

2. Result of clicking on "Get":

3. Next screen:

That last screen is useless, as I know I have OS 10.14.6, the latest version of Mohave.

So, I would appreciate it if someone can let me know how I can get the FULL Catalina Installer from the App Store, NOT just the update.

This used to be so simple, and in actuality, I was able to download the full OS 10.15.1 installer from the App Store sometime last month. And in fact I have it installed on an external Samsung SSD, and have been doing limited testing (I moved the original OS 10.15.1 Full Installer file to another location on my Mac, and then removed that file from the Applications folder).

The primary reason I am asking is that when I am finally ready to "move" from Mojave to Catalina, I want to be able to download the full version of Catalina, as I will want to do a clean, fresh installation of Catalina. Given that the Catalina-compatible version of TechTool Pro is not ready yet, I suspect that will be either shortly after OS 10.15.2 is released, or real close to OS 10.15.3.

 

[TrenttonY]

Ive tried to look for it but I cannot find it but in this subform there is a Terminal command line that will download the full installer right in the Applications folder (the usual way)

Its under the thread that similar to your title.

 

[benthewraith]

The 8gb file that you download from Apple is and has always been the full install. System Update downloads the full install once you click download in the App Store. Then just run disk maker x with a usb to create a usb installer.

 

[Vlad Soare]

No matter what I try, trying to obtain Catalina from the App Store keeps telling me it is not available from the App Store!

Here are the sequence of screens I go though:

1. Result of doing a search for "Catalina" in the App Store:

View attachment 878109

2. Result of clicking on "Get":

View attachment 878110

3. Next screen:

View attachment 878111

That last screen is useless, as I know I have OS 10.14.6, the latest version of Mohave.

Could it be because your computer is no longer supported? Is it older than 2012?
In that case, it may not matter whether the installation package is full or not - I assume it will not install anyway.

 

[honestone33]

Could it be because your computer is no longer supported? Is it older than 2012?
In that case, it may not matter whether the installation package is full or not - I assume it will not install anyway.

No, I know both of my machines are supported with Catalina.
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Ive tried to look for it but I cannot find it but in this subform there is a Terminal command line that will download the full installer right in the Applications folder (the usual way)

Its under the thread that similar to your title.

I believe that "new" softwareupdate command works only with the Catalina version of Terminal. I just tried on my Mac Mini (am entering this post on it) running the latest version of Mojave, and here is what I got:

"softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.15.1
softwareupdate: unrecognized option `--fetch-full-installer'
softwareupdate: unrecognized option `--full-installer-version'
usage: softwareupdate <cmd> [<args> ...]

** Manage Updates:

-l | --list List all appropriate update labels (options: --no-scan, --product-types)

-d | --download Download Only

-e | --cancel-download Cancel a download

-i | --install Install

<label> ... specific updates

-a | --all All appropriate updates

-R | --restart Automatically restart (or shut down) if required to complete installation.

-r | --recommended Only recommended updates

--background Trigger a background scan and update operation

--ignore <label> ... Ignore specific updates

--reset-ignored Clear all ignored updates



** Other Tools:

--dump-state Log the internal state of the SU daemon to /var/log/install.log

--evaluate-products Evaluate a list of product keys specified by the --products option

--history Show the install history. By default, only displays updates installed by softwareupdate.

--all Include all processes in history (including App installs)



** Options:

--no-scan Do not scan when listing or installing updates (use available updates previously scanned)

--product-types <type> Limit a scan to a particular product type only - ignoring all others

Ex: --product-types macOS || --product-types macOS,Safari

--products A comma-separated (no spaces) list of product keys to operate on.

--force Force an operation to complete. Use with --background to trigger a background scan regardless of "Automatically check" pref



--verbose Enable verbose output

--help Print this help"

I can try it with my external SSD which I have OS 10.15.1 installed on. I'll see what it says.

 

[honestone33]

Well, I just tried that software update command on my "Catalina" system (that is also where I am entering this), and here is what I got:

"softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.15.1
Downloading and installing 10.15.1 installer
Install failed with error: Update not found"

So, how can I get the full installer? Apple is sure making this difficult!

 

[chrfr]

Well, I just tried that software update command on my "Catalina" system (that is also where I am entering this), and here is what I got:

"softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.15.1
Downloading and installing 10.15.1 installer
Install failed with error: Update not found"

So, how can I get the full installer? Apple is sure making this difficult!

I'd suggest to keep trying. I tested right now and it's working.
You can also use the installinstallmacos.py script that's posted here: https://github.com/munki/macadmin-scripts
This will get you an installer without having to already be on Catalina.

 

[honestone33]

I tried that "install..." command from gthub, but it did not work. If you have been successful with it, please provide the excat script you used. Also, did you do it using the Mojave version of Terminal?

 

[TrenttonY]

Well, I just tried that software update command on my "Catalina" system (that is also where I am entering this), and here is what I got:

"softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.15.1
Downloading and installing 10.15.1 installer
Install failed with error: Update not found"

So, how can I get the full installer? Apple is sure making this difficult!

Sorry, I can't find a solution for you. I don't understand why if you're on Mojave, you would get an error messages in the Software Update section of the Settings.app. Weird bug.

 

[Jack Neill]

use dosdudes patcher, it will give you the always up to date full installer.

 

[honestone33]

use dosdudes patcher, it will give you the always up to date full installer.

Please provide a direct link for dosdudes patcher.

 

[Jack Neill]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-10-15-catalina-on-unsupported-macs.2183772/

http://dosdude1.com/catalina/

 

[honestone33]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macos-10-15-catalina-on-unsupported-macs.2183772/

http://dosdude1.com/catalina/

That does not download the full, complete OS 10.15.1 installer.

 

[Jack Neill]

That does not download the full, complete OS 10.15.1 installer.

Yes it does.I used it about 2058 times.

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[honestone33]

Yes it does.I used it about 2058 times.

[automerge]1574306896[/automerge]View attachment 878323

First of all, when I click on the link for http://dosdude1.com/catalina/, here is what comes up:

It says that site is Not Secure. Also, the title says "macOS Catalina Patcher".

Secondly, I assume one needs to click on where it says "Download Latest Version". Well, when I do that, the size resulting downloaded file is only 202.1 MB. And the "title" of it is "macOS Catalina Patcher.dmg". Also, there is no Mac OS installer file inside my Applications folder.

So, can you provide a direct link to that screen shot contained in your post above?

 

[Jack Neill]

First of all, when I click on the link for http://dosdude1.com/catalina/, here is what comes up:

View attachment 878328

It says that site is Not Secure. Also, the title says "macOS Catalina Patcher".

Secondly, I assume one needs to click on where it says "Download Latest Version". Well, when I do that, the size resulting downloaded file is only 202.1 MB. And the "title" of it is "macOS Catalina Patcher.dmg". Also, there is no Mac OS installer file inside my Applications folder.

So, can you provide a direct link to that screen shot contained in your post above?

It’s safe. DosDude1 is a legend and superhero on these forums. Run the patcher application and click download a copy. It will download a full installer straight from Apple.

 

[Jack Neill]

It’s safe. DosDude1 is a legend and superhero on these forums. Run the patcher application and click download a copy. It will download a full installer straight from Apple.

Watch this. Skip to about 7 min. Colin shows you how to use the tool. Don’t worry about the unsupported Mac part. You won’t be using the actual patch to make a installer.

 

[chrfr]

I tried that "install..." command from gthub, but it did not work. If you have been successful with it, please provide the excat script you used. Also, did you do it using the Mojave version of Terminal?

I've used that script with success in a multitude of operating systems. Report back with the exact errors you have.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Here's something else you could try. I make no promises.

Open the terminal app.

Now, copy what you see below (including quotation marks) and paste it into terminal:

sudo /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Seeding.framework/Versions/A/Resources/seedutil enroll DeveloperSeed && /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "clear dict" -c "add :SeedProgram string DeveloperSeed" "$3/Users/Shared/.SeedEnrollment.plist"

You will have to enter your password.

Now check software update and see what that says.
The above command "shows you" to Apple as a developer, and software update may offer you the Catalina installer.

Might we worth a try.
Be aware that the VERSION of Catalina you may be offered is currently the 10.15.2 beta.
But if that's what you need "to get you to where you want to be", it is what it is...

 

[chrfr]

OP:

Here's something else you could try. I make no promises.

Open the terminal app.

Now, copy what you see below (including quotation marks) and paste it into terminal:

sudo /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Seeding.framework/Versions/A/Resources/seedutil enroll DeveloperSeed && /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "clear dict" -c "add :SeedProgram string DeveloperSeed" "$3/Users/Shared/.SeedEnrollment.plist"

You will have to enter your password.

Now check software update and see what that says.
The above command "shows you" to Apple as a developer, and software update may offer you the Catalina installer.

Might we worth a try.
Be aware that the VERSION of Catalina you may be offered is currently the 10.15.2 beta.
But if that's what you need "to get you to where you want to be", it is what it is...

This is not the way to download a full installer. It will lead to the user accidentally getting beta updates, which they may not want.

 

[bogdanw]

Try in Terminal

open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.preferences.softwareupdate?installMajorOSVersion=10.15.1"

it opens System Preferences - Software Update and should offer the full 10.15.1 installer

 

[honestone33]

Try in Terminal

open "x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.preferences.softwareupdate?installMajorOSVersion=10.15.1"

it opens System Preferences - Software Update and should offer the full 10.15.1 installer
View attachment 878447

That did not work. I got the (once again) infamous message "The requested version of macOS is not available.". This used to be so simple!

 

[chrfr]

That did not work. I got the (once again) infamous message "The requested version of macOS is not available.". This used to be so simple!

It seems like you have something else going on with your computer. What was the error you received from the script I recommended?

 

[bogdanw]

That did not work. I got the (once again) infamous message "The requested version of macOS is not available.". This used to be so simple!

Did you ignore Catalina with sudo softwareupdate --ignore "macOS Catalina" ?
If so, you need to reset the ignore list with sudo softwareupdate --reset-ignored

 

[honestone33]

Watch this. Skip to about 7 min. Colin shows you how to use the tool. Don’t worry about the unsupported Mac part. You won’t be using the actual patch to make a installer.

OK, that was helpful. Initially, after downloading the "patcher", there were no instructions on what to do next. Given that it was a "patcher", I was definitely reluctant to double click on the resulting file. But the video guided me correctly. It downloaded Catalina V10.15.1.03, which is (I'm assuming) the most recent, stable, non-beta version. I guess the only other "surprise" is that previously, whenever one downloaded the full OS version, that installation file would wind up inside the Applications folder. In this case, it was in my downloads folder.

I'm going to do a fresh, clean installation of OS 10.15.1, using that installer file, onto my external Samsung 860 EVO 500 gig SSD, and then will migrate/copy needed files, folders, settings, etc. from the internal SSD. I'm hoping that works (I expect it to).

Appreciate your assistance. I still don't understand, though, why I cannot get this installer file directly from the App Store, like I've ALWAYS been able to do. And it's true for both of my Macs running OS 10.14.6.