my Mac keeps downloading the monterey installer even though i'm running Monterey

[firelighter487]

so my Mac keeps downloading the "install macOS monterey.app" file, even though i'm running Monterey on this system. it's only got 128gb of storage so you can imagine how annoying this is. is there a fix for this? i don't want to keep deleting the file once i notice i have no storage left.

 

[JustAnExpat]

What version of Monterey do you have? It might be downloading the update (12.5). Check your system preference and see if an update exist.

 

[firelighter487]

What version of Monterey do you have? It might be downloading the update (12.5). Check your system preference and see if an update exist.

 

[BanditoB]

Could you have accidentally or purposely enabled Content Caching under Sharing is System Preferences? This is the only thing that I can think of that would cause the system to keep downloading the same installation file over and over again.

 

[firelighter487]

Could you have accidentally or purposely enabled Content Caching under Sharing is System Preferences? This is the only thing that I can think of that would cause the system to keep downloading the same installation file over and over again.

that's turned off...

 

[BanditoB]

Time to call Apple Support then.

 

[bogdanw]

I keep a reduced Install macOS Monterey.app in Applications to prevent the download
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/unwanted-monterey-keeps-downloading.2333929/

 

[ATC]

I have the same issue; I posted a question about it last month but haven't seen a solution to this yet. OP, I assume you're still having this problem?

I'm now on 12.5.1 and the Monterey insaller keeps downloading into my app folder. I wouldn't mind it so much if it wasn't 12+gb taking up space unnecessarily.

I just contacted Apple support and the agent had me go into safe mode and re-delete Monterey installer. She said if it comes back to try resetting SMS and NVRAM, and if that fails to re-install macOS.

 

[Fishrrman]

ATC -

I'm wondering if this would work.
Create a "Fake file" to trick software update into thinking you ALREADY HAVE a copy of the Monterey installer in your Applications folder.

"How?" ... you're thinking.

Here's what I'd try:
Open the Text Edit app.
Create a new text file.
Just put a few characters in it (for example, type "fake")
Then, save it to the desktop for the moment.

Now you have some investigating to do.
What is the file extension of the Monterey installer?
I'm thinking it would be ".app" (for application).

So, you want to do the following:
Rename the text file to "Install OS Monterey.app" (it would have to be the same name as the Monterey installer, with the .app extension, too).
NOTE: I don't have the Monterey Installer available to me at the moment, so I'm GUESSING that the proper name for it is "Install Mac OS Monterey". If it's not, make the changes as needed.

Once you rename it, do this:
Click on it ONE TIME to select it
Bring up "get info" on it (command-i)
Put a check into the "locked" checkbox.
Close get info.
Now... the finder can't modify the file.

Finally...
If there's a copy of the Monterey installer sitting there, move it to the trash and then empty the trash.
Then... move your fake file into the Applications folder, taking the place of "the real" installer.

Now I'm thinking that when software update "looks" to see if you need the Monterey installer downloaded (for whatever reason), it will check the Applications folder, find a file there named "Install Mac OS Monterey" (or close to that) ALREADY THERE, and then... just... stop.

 

[ATC]

ATC -

I'm wondering if this would work.
Create a "Fake file" to trick software update into thinking you ALREADY HAVE a copy of the Monterey installer in your Applications folder.

"How?" ... you're thinking.

Here's what I'd try:
Open the Text Edit app.
Create a new text file.
Just put a few characters in it (for example, type "fake")
Then, save it to the desktop for the moment.

Now you have some investigating to do.
What is the file extension of the Monterey installer?
I'm thinking it would be ".app" (for application).

So, you want to do the following:
Rename the text file to "Install OS Monterey.app" (it would have to be the same name as the Monterey installer, with the .app extension, too).
NOTE: I don't have the Monterey Installer available to me at the moment, so I'm GUESSING that the proper name for it is "Install Mac OS Monterey". If it's not, make the changes as needed.

Once you rename it, do this:
Click on it ONE TIME to select it
Bring up "get info" on it (command-i)
Put a check into the "locked" checkbox.
Close get info.
Now... the finder can't modify the file.

Finally...
If there's a copy of the Monterey installer sitting there, move it to the trash and then empty the trash.
Then... move your fake file into the Applications folder, taking the place of "the real" installer.

Now I'm thinking that when software update "looks" to see if you need the Monterey installer downloaded (for whatever reason), it will check the Applications folder, find a file there named "Install Mac OS Monterey" (or close to that) ALREADY THERE, and then... just... stop.

Thanks. I’ll give this a shot if the other steps don’t work. So far it hasn’t yet re-downloaded again but it’s only been a day.

 

[ATC]

ATC -

I'm wondering if this would work.
Create a "Fake file" to trick software update into thinking you ALREADY HAVE a copy of the Monterey installer in your Applications folder.

"How?" ... you're thinking.

Here's what I'd try:
Open the Text Edit app.
Create a new text file.
Just put a few characters in it (for example, type "fake")
Then, save it to the desktop for the moment.

Now you have some investigating to do.
What is the file extension of the Monterey installer?
I'm thinking it would be ".app" (for application).

So, you want to do the following:
Rename the text file to "Install OS Monterey.app" (it would have to be the same name as the Monterey installer, with the .app extension, too).
NOTE: I don't have the Monterey Installer available to me at the moment, so I'm GUESSING that the proper name for it is "Install Mac OS Monterey". If it's not, make the changes as needed.

Once you rename it, do this:
Click on it ONE TIME to select it
Bring up "get info" on it (command-i)
Put a check into the "locked" checkbox.
Close get info.
Now... the finder can't modify the file.

Finally...
If there's a copy of the Monterey installer sitting there, move it to the trash and then empty the trash.
Then... move your fake file into the Applications folder, taking the place of "the real" installer.

Now I'm thinking that when software update "looks" to see if you need the Monterey installer downloaded (for whatever reason), it will check the Applications folder, find a file there named "Install Mac OS Monterey" (or close to that) ALREADY THERE, and then... just... stop.

Just wanted to post back and say your solution above is the only one that worked. I tried everything that Apple reps suggested and it always ended up re-downloading the 12GB installer. It's been over a month and nothing's been downloaded.
Thanks again for posting this. Hope it helps others having the same issue.

 

[SGN]

Thank you! I've just done this!