need to re-download full installer on MBP that has Catalina installed

[Damn Dirty Ape]

I need to re-download the full Catalina installer on a MBP that has it installed now - so I can make a bootable usb drive.

Every time I try the 'get' it just tells me 'no updates available'.

There used to be a key to hold down to allow this previously but can't remember now.

 

[DeltaMac]

Here's one method that I use to get that full installer app:
Download the Catalina patcher from dosdude1.com - http://dosdude1.com/catalina/
Launch that app, click Continue, then click Continue again, and, click Download a Copy, then click the Start Download button.
catalina will download.
When complete, you will find the Catalina installer app in your Downloads folder.

Or, you can use the python script written for that purpose (downloading macOS installers)

GitHub - munki/macadmin-scripts: Scripts of possible interest to macOS admins

Scripts of possible interest to macOS admins. Contribute to munki/macadmin-scripts development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

Use the green "Clone or download" button, then "Download ZIP", then follow the instructions in the read-me file to use the installinstallmacos.py file in your terminal.

 

[VineRider]

I need to re-download the full Catalina installer on a MBP that has it installed now - so I can make a bootable usb drive.

Every time I try the 'get' it just tells me 'no updates available'.

There used to be a key to hold down to allow this previously but can't remember now.

You should be able to just download it from the Mac App Store. Search for Catalina and you should see it and be able to download it from there.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

You should be able to just download it from the Mac App Store. Search for Catalina and you should see it and be able to download it from there.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

No, just gives the message in my original post.

 

[VineRider]

No, just gives the message in my original post.

ok...I wasn't sure how you were trying to download it. not sure why it isn't allowing you to download from the App Store....

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Here's one method that I use to get that full installer app:
Download the Catalina patcher from dosdude1.com - http://dosdude1.com/catalina/
Launch that app, click Continue, then click Continue again, and, click Download a Copy, then click the Start Download button.
catalina will download.
When complete, you will find the Catalina installer app in your Downloads folder.

Or, you can use the python script written for that purpose (downloading macOS installers)

GitHub - munki/macadmin-scripts: Scripts of possible interest to macOS admins

Scripts of possible interest to macOS admins. Contribute to munki/macadmin-scripts development by creating an account on GitHub.

github.com

Use the green "Clone or download" button, then "Download ZIP", then follow the instructions in the read-me file to use the installinstallmacos.py file in your terminal.

Looks like the first suggestion is working for me , thank you very much!

 

[chrfr]

I need to re-download the full Catalina installer on a MBP that has it installed now - so I can make a bootable usb drive.

Every time I try the 'get' it just tells me 'no updates available'.

There used to be a key to hold down to allow this previously but can't remember now.

Catalina has this functionality built in. Just enter the following in Terminal:

sudo software update --fetch-full-installer

 

[Mike Boreham]

When I tried this a few days ago it downloaded Mojave. Maybe the default has now changed to Catalina.

You can specify version like this:

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.15.0

 

[Mike Boreham]

When I tried this a few days ago it downloaded Mojave. Maybe the default has now changed to Catalina.

You can specify version like this:

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.15.0

That might need to be

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 10.15