Large downloads - How do I stop password requests halfway through? (Overnight downloads etc.)

[Marty_Macfly]

Hi all,


Question:
Large downloads - How do I stop password requests halfway through? (For Overnight downloads etc.)



I had this problem downloading the latest macOS 11.3.1 - left downloading overnight, and in morning had a download error.


After 4 attempts, I found the issue:
It was asking for a password at 5gb of the 6.6gb download. So for future downloads, that could be anytime in the early hours etc!


While trying out fixes, I even ticked all the below boxes, in the advanced section, for the software update.
However, it still popped up with a password request part way through the download.

Hope you can advise
Regards
Martin


NB:
Link to my macOS download issue post on this:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-scratch.2294741/?post=29861820#post-29861820

 

[KaliYoni]

If you are willing or able to wait to update, Apple usually posts standalone installers a couple of days after updates become available through System Preferences/Software Update.

For example:

Security Update 2021-003 (Mojave) - Apple Support

macOS Mojave Security Update 2021-003 is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

support.apple.com

Security Update 2021-002 (Catalina) - Apple Support

macOS Catalina Security Update 2021-002 is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

support.apple.com

You should be able to simply download standalone installers without any need to input passwords or login credentials using a web browser.

 

[Marty_Macfly]

If you are willing or able to wait to update, Apple usually posts standalone installers a couple of days after updates become available through System Preferences/Software Update.

For example:

Security Update 2021-003 (Mojave) - Apple Support

macOS Mojave Security Update 2021-003 is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

support.apple.com

Security Update 2021-002 (Catalina) - Apple Support

macOS Catalina Security Update 2021-002 is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

support.apple.com

You should be able to simply download standalone installers without any need to input passwords or login credentials using a web browser.

Thanks for the tip Kali

I noticed the Apple App Store also has this 11.3.1 available, with a even bigger size of 12.6GB.

Is this another work around? Or would this simply download the same way as System Preferences/Software Update?


Regards,
Martin

 

[KaliYoni]

Another tip: subscribe to Apple's Security-announce listserv. Each announcement usually contains a link to a standalone installer page.

Security-announce Info Page

 

[KaliYoni]

I noticed the Apple App Store also has this 11.3.1 available, with a even bigger size of 12.6GB.

Is this another work around?

I don't know offhand...I don't use the Mac App Store very much. However, I do recall that initiating downloads on the App Store, for both new purchases and updates, requires one to be logged into iCloud or whatever type of Apple purchase account one has. So it is possible a password or login could be requested at some point during a download.

 

[DeltaMac]

The 12.6GB download is for the Big Sur full install, not just the 11.3.1 update.
I prefer to get the full install, which I use to remake the bootable Big Sur installer.
I like to use the MDS app to download the installer - more convenient for me, as I can also choose to download beta installers, without the need to sign up for the beta program, and MDS is free to use to download macOS installers.
(No password needed just to download the macOS installer

 

[SpeQ]

If you are willing or able to wait to update, Apple usually posts standalone installers a couple of days after updates become available through System Preferences/Software Update.

For example:

Security Update 2021-003 (Mojave) - Apple Support

macOS Mojave Security Update 2021-003 is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

support.apple.com

Security Update 2021-002 (Catalina) - Apple Support

macOS Catalina Security Update 2021-002 is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

support.apple.com

You should be able to simply download standalone installers without any need to input passwords or login credentials using a web browser.

I don't see any Big Sur downloads available at all at:

Manuals, Specs, and Downloads - Apple Support

Manuals, technical specifications, downloads, and more for Apple software and hardware

support.apple.com

 

[HDFan]

I don't see any Big Sur downloads available at all at:

Apple - Support - Downloads

gibMacOS doesn't show any either.

 

[chrfr]

If you are willing or able to wait to update, Apple usually posts standalone installers a couple of days after updates become available through System Preferences/Software Update.

For example:

Security Update 2021-003 (Mojave) - Apple Support

macOS Mojave Security Update 2021-003 is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

support.apple.com

Security Update 2021-002 (Catalina) - Apple Support

macOS Catalina Security Update 2021-002 is recommended for all users and improves the security of macOS.

support.apple.com

You should be able to simply download standalone installers without any need to input passwords or login credentials using a web browser.

Apple will not be posting updates for Big Sur. The distribution mechanism for Big Sur is different and standalone updaters are not a thing anymore.

 

[KaliYoni]

Apple will not be posting updates for Big Sur. The distribution mechanism for Big Sur is different and standalone updaters are not a thing anymore.

That's bad...but sadly on-trend for Apple's relentless dismantling of anything that allows users to go beyond "Always Allow Automatic xxx" and to see what a machine is doing behind the glossy UI.

Long live Network Monitor, Disk Utility, and ResEdit!!!

 

[Marty_Macfly]

The 12.6GB download is for the Big Sur full install, not just the 11.3.1 update.
I prefer to get the full install, which I use to remake the bootable Big Sur installer.
I like to use the MDS app to download the installer - more convenient for me, as I can also choose to download beta installers, without the need to sign up for the beta program, and MDS is free to use to download macOS installers.
(No password needed just to download the macOS installer

Hiya Delta,


Long time no speak
Ok, 9 months on, now looking at downloading Monterey, and upgrading from Big Sur.

I still have that really slow WIFI connection, only way I have found to download large files quickly is by mobile hotspot, not ideal for a Monterey 12.6Gb download....




Some Questions about this MDS app, I suppose to everyone, thinking about it.


Q1) Is this MDS really free, and actually usable for single downloads for personal MacBooks?
- I've just gone onto the website, and it talks about flipping expensive support plans! Looks a cool professional grade app.


Q2) Is MDS safe, being a 3rd party downloader?


Q3) Is MDS reliable and simple to use for newbies?
- I.e Just looking to upgrade the macOS on a single MacBook?
- any issues with the update, if certain settings not set etc?



Hope you can advise
Martin



NB:
Link to my old macOS download issue post, Plus the FIX:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-scratch.2294741/?post=29861820#post-29861820

 

[DeltaMac]

Downloading macOS is only a small part of what is available through the MDS app, and the Two Canoes company, but is the only part that I use.
MDS has some pretty wide-ranging support options, which are designed for use with fairly large organizations/companies. But, the MDS app is free to download and use. The expense comes if you decide that you need the large-scale support options. You can, as I do, ignore all of the options, and use MDS to download the current (and in some cases a variety of previous versions of) the macOS installer.
Simple to use? Launch MDS. Click "Download macOS" at the bottom of the sidebar.
Wait for the list of choices to appear. If the most recent does not appear, change the catalog (allows you to choose from beta versions, if you like) to one of the other catalog choices, which then reloads the list.
Do you want High Sierra? Click on that item, then click Download. You will get the chance to decide where exactly you want the installer app copied, then click Open. The download starts.
There's not much of a progress indication, just a spinning icon at the bottom of the MDS window. When the download is complete, you will see a popup telling you the download is complete.
So, yes, pretty simple.
MDS does not "add" anything to the download. It downloads through Apple's servers, and MDS just provides a nice interface for that, along with giving you access to some of the other releases, such as current betas, etc.

 

[Marty_Macfly]

Downloading macOS is only a small part of what is available through the MDS app, and the Two Canoes company, but is the only part that I use.
MDS has some pretty wide-ranging support options, which are designed for use with fairly large organizations/companies. But, the MDS app is free to download and use. The expense comes if you decide that you need the large-scale support options. You can, as I do, ignore all of the options, and use MDS to download the current (and in some cases a variety of previous versions of) the macOS installer.
Simple to use? Launch MDS. Click "Download macOS" at the bottom of the sidebar.
Wait for the list of choices to appear. If the most recent does not appear, change the catalog (allows you to choose from beta versions, if you like) to one of the other catalog choices, which then reloads the list.
Do you want High Sierra? Click on that item, then click Download. You will get the chance to decide where exactly you want the installer app copied, then click Open. The download starts.
There's not much of a progress indication, just a spinning icon at the bottom of the MDS window. When the download is complete, you will see a popup telling you the download is complete.
So, yes, pretty simple.
MDS does not "add" anything to the download. It downloads through Apple's servers, and MDS just provides a nice interface for that, along with giving you access to some of the other releases, such as current betas, etc.

Hi DeltaMac,


Apologies for the reply, pretty busy during the week etc.

Many thanks for the advise on this, much appreciated!

Very clever for the company to just allow out the S/W as a free app - to build up a potential client base etc.


Best wishes
Martin