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Where to find macOS Sierra and macOS High Sierra

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pl1984

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Original poster
Oct 31, 2017
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When I upgrade to a new version of the OS I always download the full installer so that I can install it to a USB drive to install on all of my Macs. I then archive these installers in the event I need them again. Depending on when I downloaded the installer I may or may not have the latest version released by Apple.

The other day I decided to download the latest full installer for all versions of the OS I have. I was able to do so for everything prior to macOS Sierra. For this version and macOS High Sierra I am unable to locate the installers on the App Store. While I have the original copies I downloaded I'd like to get the latest versions. Does anyone know how I can find these files?
 
pl1984 said:
When I upgrade to a new version of the OS I always download the full installer so that I can install it to a USB drive to install on all of my Macs. I then archive these installers in the event I need them again. Depending on when I downloaded the installer I may or may not have the latest version released by Apple.

The other day I decided to download the latest full installer for all versions of the OS I have. I was able to do so for everything prior to macOS Sierra. For this version and macOS High Sierra I am unable to locate the installers on the App Store. While I have the original copies I downloaded I'd like to get the latest versions. Does anyone know how I can find these files?
Click to expand...
You can't get it anymore with a newer version than the one you want to download, so you will have to download from El Capitan.

El Capitan: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206886

Sierra: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208202

High Sierra: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208969
 
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Squuiid said:
"If you still need macOS Sierra, use this App Store link: Get macOS Sierra. To download it, your Mac must be using macOS High Sierra or earlier."
Click to expand...
Squuiid said:
"If you still need macOS Sierra, use this App Store link: Get macOS Sierra. To download it, your Mac must be using macOS High Sierra or earlier."

Not from Mojave or above basically.
Click to expand...
Ok, thx for the correction. It's El Capitan that don't download with anything newer.
 
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The direct link in this article worked for me yesterday to get High Sierra from a machine running Mojave.

https://www.tekrevue.com/tip/download-high-sierra-mojave/

I needed and chose HS specifically for a Hack I'm 90% done with that has a GTX 1070 I wanted to use since it's a dual boot gaming Hack.

Up and running phenomenally and typing on it right now at my TV.

So far my favorite thing about High Sierra again is the older/normal Photos.app quicklook with space bar behavior is still there (vs using the Enter key on Mojave's version - yuck - wrong...)
 
turbineseaplane said:
The direct link in this article worked for me yesterday to get High Sierra from a machine running Mojave.

https://www.tekrevue.com/tip/download-high-sierra-mojave/

I needed and chose HS specifically for a Hack I'm 90% done with that has a GTX 1070 I wanted to use since it's a dual boot gaming Hack.

Up and running phenomenally and typing on it right now at my TV.

So far my favorite thing about High Sierra again is the older/normal Photos.app quicklook with space bar behavior is still there (vs using the Enter key on Mojave's version - yuck - wrong...)
Click to expand...
Which version of Mojave did you use. Link doesn't work in 10.14.3.

upload_2019-3-5_16-30-47.png


Same for Sierra...

upload_2019-3-5_16-36-52.png
 
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tsialex said:
Ok, thx for the correction. It's El Capitan that don't download with anything newer.
Click to expand...
I didn't have any issues downloading the latest version, full installer for El Capitan. In fact I downloaded everything from Mountain Lion through El Capitan directly from the App Store (they show up in my purchase history).
 
pl1984 said:
I didn't have any issues downloading the latest version, full installer for El Capitan. In fact I downloaded everything from Mountain Lion through El Capitan directly from the App Store (they show up in my purchase history).
Click to expand...
When you have El Capitan in the Past Purchases, you can download without trouble.

If you don't and have to download from a Apple Support link, https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206886, you need to download from El Capitan.

Screen Shot 2019-03-05 at 14.27.15.png
 
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Where is the file downloaded to? I download it and then receive a dialog stating "This copy of the "Install macOS" application is too old to be opened on this version of macOS." (which is fine, the system I'm using to download Sierra is running High Sierra. I just want the installer file so I can archive it.

Oh for the days when Apple used to make things easy and intuitive.
 
pl1984 said:
Where is the file downloaded to? I download it and then receive a dialog stating "This copy of the "Install macOS" application is too old to be opened on this version of macOS." (which is fine, the system I'm using to download Sierra is running High Sierra. I just want the installer file so I can archive it.

Oh for the days when Apple used to make things easy and intuitive.
Click to expand...
/Applications
 
tsialex said:
/Applications
Click to expand...
That's where I expected to find it but it's not there. I recall that in the past if one exited the installer the downloaded file was deleted. Thinking that might still be the case I've left the dialog open to ensure that wasn't the case. I do not see it.

EDIT: Never mind, I had to remove the previous downloaded file from my archives folder before the new one will show up in Applications.
 
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pl1984 said:
Where is the file downloaded to? I download it and then receive a dialog stating "This copy of the "Install macOS" application is too old to be opened on this version of macOS." (which is fine, the system I'm using to download Sierra is running High Sierra. I just want the installer file so I can archive it.

Oh for the days when Apple used to make things easy and intuitive.
Click to expand...
Sounds like you might have downloaded the small installer link, rather then the full 5GB installer.
The download should have taken quite some time to complete.
 
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