pkg format is just an archives all the way down, with allĪrchives being different formats (at least three). This package isĮxpected to install /Applications/Install OS X El Capitan.app. If you take a look at the instructions, you will see that this is Suggests the instructions in this post should work with Sierra as well. This post assumes you’re working with El Capitan a quick look though that file If you need something older than El Capitan, downloads are available as farīack as Lion, although these might not have the createinstallmedia tool There’s a Sierra download, with a broken link, although it can be fixed by changing updates-http to updates: get Sierra installer. There are also some other downloads available: The only thing you can easily download from Apple is El Capitan. Hackintoshing this little bit harder, but this also affects legitimate users. If it doesn’t, and Recovery can’t install it for you, that can be difficult toĪpple does not make macOS images publicly available. Program included with that installer app. The expected way to produce macOS install media is to download the installerįrom App Store/Software Update, and run the createinstallmedia command-line Unfortunately, making a USB stick with the macOS installer on it is a nuisance. The best, safest, least error-prone way to do an install is with a USB stick. Installer from Recovery/App Store (any macOS version)īonus tidbit 2: using Terminal from Setup Assistantīonus tidbit 3: creating an image of the install media might not workīonus tidbit 4: don’t bother restoring a Time Machine backup

Making install media out of partial macOS installers (“not a valid OS installer application”)ī. Making install media with El Capitan (with access only to Recovery) (requires another Mac and a USB-C cable.) If you’ve got an Apple Silicon Mac, you probably want to perform If your Mac can’t, you’ll need to look for helpĮlsewhere. Note: This blog post is written for Intel Macs, particularly those that canīoot OS X El Capitan (or macOS Sierra, but that’s untested). Neither Chris Warrick nor Apple will be responsible for anyĭamage to your devices caused as a result of using information in this post. What to try (as long as you’ve got an Intel Mac).ĭISCLAIMER: All information in this post is provided as-is, and some of it may But I now have some experience and assorted hints on Throughout the process, manyĪttempts failed miserably. Recently, I reinstalled macOS on my device.

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