OS X Update - download only

[pimpim68]

Does anyone have a solution to Apples policy to prevent users from solely downloading OS X and updates separately to install them on a later date or a different Mac?

This policy is making life hard for anyone that have no internet where the computer is located or no electrical outlets. For example, I live on a yacht, I do have internet but monthly traffic is limited. So I prefer to have large downloads done at a cafe or restaurant with wifi, although many times they don't offer an electrical outlet, so when Apple won't allow me to update OS without being plugged in, this is problematic.

Also, I have multiple Macs, to save traffic I would ideally download a large update once, put it on a stick or share it over my LAN between the other Macs to update those.

Since Apple has turned deep state after Jobs death, it's virtually impossible to leave feedback there. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one having a problem with this policy!

 

[bogdanw]

Intro to content caching
https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/depde72e125f/web
"For example, when the first client on your network downloads a macOS update, the content cache keeps a copy of the update. When the next client on the network connects to the App Store to download the update, the update is copied from the content cache rather than from the App Store."
Set up content caching on Mac
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/mchl3b6c3720/mac
About software updates for Apple devices
https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/depc4c80847a/web
"A local administrator or standard user can also download a full installer by using the softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer command in Terminal."

softwareupdate
-l | --list List all appropriate update labels (options: --no-scan, --product-types)
-d | --download Download Only
-i | --install Install

 

[MacGizmo]

You can download the update on one Mac and let the installer launch. Then quit the installer. You then go into your Applications folder and copy the macOS Installer file to your other Mac(s).

You must quit the installer before it actually installs anything because Apple sets the installer to delete itself after installation.

 

[pimpim68]

You can download the update on one Mac and let the installer launch. Then quit the installer. You then go into your Applications folder and copy the macOS Installer file to your other Mac(s).

You must quit the installer before it actually installs anything because Apple sets the installer to delete itself after installation.

I cant, if my mac book charger is not connected to the grid the update program wont even start.

 

[pimpim68]

You can download the update on one Mac and let the installer launch. Then quit the installer. You then go into your Applications folder and copy the macOS Installer file to your other Mac(s).

You must quit the installer before it actually installs anything because Apple sets the installer to delete itself after installation.

Thank you very much, I'll try command line option the next time. I tried downloading in safari using links from forums only got an installer that downloads.

 

[bogdanw]

@MrMacintoshBlog is a reliable source of links for full installers.
https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-sonoma-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple/
The InstallAssistant.pkg installs “Install macOS Sonoma.app” in /Applications

 

[MacGizmo]

All great ways to get the installers. I had forgotten about the Mr.Macintosh site that keeps updated links for all the installers.

 

[DeltaMac]

If your best option for internet downloads is at some location with wifi, why not use a battery backup/Powerbank? connect your laptop to the powerbank when you are ready for a download. That should take care of the need to have AC power connection at the cafe, etc.
I know, one more thing to carry with you when you need that internet access -- but then, how often would you need to have those "internet cafe trips" for large downloads (?)

 

[pimpim68]

@MrMacintoshBlog is a reliable source of links for full installers.
https://mrmacintosh.com/macos-sonoma-full-installer-database-download-directly-from-apple/
The InstallAssistant.pkg installs “Install macOS Sonoma.app” in /Applications

I believe that was the source, didn't work for me.

 

[DeltaMac]

What do you mean by "didn't work"?
You couldn't get the download?
Or, you couldn't make a bootable installer from the download?
Or, it wouldn't install on some (or any) of your Macs?

 

[pimpim68]

I downloaded the whole thing, but it would not do what it was supposed to do. I read about it and it was either the wrong installer or corrupt. I decided not to spend another eight hours trying at the café again, so I had the update app download it over my 4G router over night.

 

[DeltaMac]

Assuming that you downloaded the current version 14.2.1 - were you able to successfully make a USB bootable installer from that download? "Success" means that you can boot your target Mac from that USB bootable, and, at least, begin to install to your target volume.
Which Mac were you using for the first install? What error message did you get, if any?

 

[pimpim68]

Assuming that you downloaded the current version 14.2.1 - were you able to successfully make a USB bootable installer from that download? "Success" means that you can boot your target Mac from that USB bootable, and, at least, begin to install to your target volume.
Which Mac were you using for the first install? What error message did you get, if any?

I cant remember what version, chose the latest available. I believe it was a pkg-file and install failed, no installer was created. I think i checked the contents and run the installer from there and it started downloading the whole thing.

 

[DeltaMac]

The installer would not be a .pkg file if you downloaded through the System Settings/General tab, Software Update...
It would give you an app, which you can choose to quit, so you can then make a bootable USB installer from that app.
You might be able to make a bootable installer from a pkg file, but normally, you would run the pkg file, which THEN should make the installer app, which is what you really need.
Are you using the Terminal app to get the download, or are you using some other app, such as Mist?