Update to macOS Catalina without losing internet

[gbrinker]

Hello! This is my first post in this forum. I'm in a bit of a pickle, and hope there are some people here that will have some insight.

I have an iMac Pro that is running Mojave, and needs to be updated to Catalina for specific software at work. Simple enough, right? I've been a Mac User for 10 years; I've done this a bunch of times.

There is one big issue that throws a wrench in this whole thing... I do not have physical access to this machine, and have been remotely logging into it. The machine is in my office at work, and no one can get physical access to it at the moment. The only thing keeping me connected to it is the WiFi.

Essentially, I need to install the OS, and need the WiFi to still be connected when I reboot. It's ok if it's a new IP address, my company has a tool where I can lookup the address of devices connected to this system. I found this thread explaining how to do the install via Command Line: https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/update-macos-terminal-command/.

I have two concerns of what might happen during reboot:
- The computer won't be connected to WiFi/will forget WiFi password
- There will be steps that require being physically in front of machine (setting up iCloud, choosing language, etc)

If anyone has any tips/tricks for how I can safely do this update while maintaining access to my network, it would be very appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[bogdanw]

I found this thread explaining how to do the install via Command Line: https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/update-macos-terminal-command/.

I don't think that covers the upgrade to Catalina.
I would go a different route: download the installer and use startosinstall
I haven't tested it, but I think this might work for you:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/startosinstall --agreetolicense --nointeraction

Take a look at https://www.techrepublic.com/articl...tall-or-upgrade-of-macos-mojave-via-terminal/ and https://www.jamf.com/jamf-nation/discussions/33515/catalina-update

 

[gbrinker]

I don't think that covers the upgrade to Catalina.
I would go a different route: download the installer and use startosinstall
I haven't tested it, but I think this might work for you:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/startosinstall --agreetolicense --nointeraction

Take a look at https://www.techrepublic.com/articl...tall-or-upgrade-of-macos-mojave-via-terminal/ and https://www.jamf.com/jamf-nation/discussions/33515/catalina-update

Thanks for the reply! I'll definitely look into this. I'm most likely going to test this on my laptop that I have with me first.

Out of curiosity, is the "--nointeraction" what will prevent the prompts after the reboot? I'm afraid that's what's going to screw me here... because it asks for iCloud info, WiFi network/password etc :/

 

[chrfr]

I'd agree that startosinstall is probably the route to go, but if the wifi network requires username/password authentication then I'd be concerned that the install will fail at the time that the install wants to verify T2 firmware signatures and leave the computer at a spot where it's dead in the water and waiting for an internet connection.
I'd avoid this upgrade if at all possible since connection to the computer seems critical. Perhaps it's possible to run the Catalina-only applications in a virtual machine for the time being.