So is it now impossible to download the full macOS installer for a fresh install?

[TrenttonY]

As per the title.
Every time I try to download the installer from the App Store, it takes me to the software update section of the Settings.app to download the latest .1 update. I want the entire 7GB OS file.

I've tried to to do macOS Internet Recovery but it gets half way (which takes 1.5 hours) then fails with error codes.

Can anyone help me?

And yes I have the old 10.15 release as a backup bootable drive, but I get the iCloud error when trying to sign in, which a later .1 fixed. So it's no good.

 

[drmeatball]

As long as you can get to a Desktop, do this:

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

You can use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume as a startup disk from which to install the Mac operating system. These steps are primarily for system administrators and other experienced users who are familiar with entering commands in Terminal.

support.apple.com

 

[TrenttonY]

As long as you can get to a Desktop, do this:

Create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

You can use a USB flash drive or other secondary volume as a startup disk from which to install the Mac operating system. These steps are primarily for system administrators and other experienced users who are familiar with entering commands in Terminal.

support.apple.com

I'm already on Catalina and when I try to download Catalina again from the App Store, it just opens the software update pane in the Settings.app. No full Catalina Installer downloads.
They changed the way it works in Catalina.

I'm guessing i'm going to have to downgrade to Mojave then install the Catalina installer.
If that's even possible.

 

[revmacian]

I'm already on Catalina and when I try to download Catalina again from the App Store, it just opens the software update pane in the Settings.app. No full Catalina Installer downloads.
They changed the way it works in Catalina.

I'm guessing i'm going to have to downgrade to Mojave then install the Catalina installer.
If that's even possible.

I'm on Catalina. I used this link to open the official Catalina installer in the App Store for download:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/macos-catalina/id1466841314?ls=1&mt=12

 

[TrenttonY]

I'm on Catalina. I used this link to open the official Catalina installer in the App Store for download:

‎macOS Catalina

‎macOS Catalina gives you more of everything you love about Mac. Experience three all-new media apps: Apple Music, Apple TV, and Apple Podcasts. Locate a missing Mac with the new Find My app. And now coming to Mac, your favorite iPad apps. You can even extend your desktop using iPad as a second...

apps.apple.com

Yes, but what happens when you download it from the App Store? It just opens the Settings.app and checks for the latest .1 update.
Basically it just acts as a link.

 

[chrfr]

Yes, but what happens when you download it from the App Store? It just opens the Settings.app and checks for the latest .1 update.
Basically it just acts as a link.

In Terminal, run the following command:

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.15.1

This will download a full installer to your Applications folder, but note that the command only works when run from a computer already running Catalina.

 

[TrenttonY]

In Terminal, run the following command:

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.15.1

This will download a full installer to your Applications folder, but note that the command only works when run from a computer already running Catalina.

Thanks.
I'll let you know the results when I get a chance to try it.

 

[IowaLynn]

Restart. Then, Immediately as your Mac restarts, do one of the following:

Install the latest version of macOS from the internet: Press and hold Option-Command-R until a spinning globe appears, then release the keys.
This option installs the latest version of macOS that is compatible with your computer.

Reinstall macOS

You can reinstall macOS on your Mac while keeping your files and user settings intact.

support.apple.com

 

[TrenttonY]

Restart. Then, Immediately as your Mac restarts, do one of the following:

Install the latest version of macOS from the internet: Press and hold Option-Command-R until a spinning globe appears, then release the keys.
This option installs the latest version of macOS that is compatible with your computer.

Reinstall macOS

You can reinstall macOS on your Mac while keeping your files and user settings intact.

support.apple.com

I've tried that method 3 times and it gets halfway during the download process than errors. Weird.

 

[DeltaMac]

You can also try one of the other methods for downloading macOS installers.
1. Dosdude1.com has patch apps for several installer apps, that can download the latest macOS installers. It's main use is to make patched installers to install on non-supported Macs, but you can also simply download the macOS installer app. It downloads from Apple, and is completely safe to use. http://dosdude1.com/software.html
2. Python script works well, too - https://github.com/munki/macadmin-scripts

 

[TrenttonY]

In Terminal, run the following command:

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.15.1

This will download a full installer to your Applications folder, but note that the command only works when run from a computer already running Catalina.

Yes, this method worked.
Thanks again.