In this guide, we will show you the steps to fix the issue of the macOS Installer File missing from the Application folder. The most straightforward way of upgrading your Mac is by heading over to System Settings > General > Software Update and then downloading and installing the pending update. However, this route doesn’t give any granular controls over the update process. For example, what if you want to install any other update version instead of the one that the Software Update page has to offer?
Recently, a few users who were still on Big Sur wanted to update to Monterey but since Ventura is the latest release, the Software Update would always bring up the update package for Ventura itself. Fortunately, in all these instances, Apple gives you a handy escape route. You always have the option to grab hold of the desired update package from its App Store and then manually install it.
In this regard, as soon as you hit the Get button next to the update, the file will be downloaded to the Applications folder which you could access via the Finder. However, a few users have voiced their concern that even upon successfully downloading the entire macOS Installer from the App Store, the file is still missing from the Application folder. if you are also in the same boat, then this guide will help you out. Follow along for the fix.
Fix macOS Installer File missing from the Application folder
- Open Terminal from Launchpad > Others and then execute the below command.
softwareupdate --list-full-installers
- This will bring up a list of all the downloaded macOS Installers present on your Mac.
- So execute the below command to install the desired macOS using its installer file. [Make sure to replace the version number accordingly and take a backup beforehand]
sudo softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 13.0
That’s it. These were the steps to fix the issue of the macOS Installer File missing from the Application folder. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.
