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Attempting to download macOS Catalina from the Mac App Store you may detect that a modest version of the "Install macOS Catalina.app" file downloads to the "Applications" folder, rather than the complete 8.one GB installer file.

The tiny (just tens of megabytes) incomplete installer requires an net connectedness during usage to download the rest of the Catalina update files. Additionally, information technology does non allow to create a macOS Catalina USB installer drive for use on multiple computers.

In this tutorial, I'll show you how to download the complete "Install macOS Catalina.app" file from Apple server using the "macOS Catalina Patcher" app instead of via the Mac App Store.

A similar mini-installer result occurred previously with some users getting a tiny incomplete macOS High Sierra installer and macOS Mojave installer too and I covered a similar workaround here and here to download the complete installer file from Apple server.

Nigh the app

In this workaround, we're going to use the macOS Catalina Patcher app from the dosdude1.com. This app is intended for those with unsupported Macs and Hackintosh users, but any Mac user tin apply the app to be able to download the consummate macOS Catalina installer file from Apple server. For our purposes in this item walkthrough, we will apply the app but to download the consummate installer file.

Note! This method relies on a third party app from an unverified third political party source. If yous are non comfortable with using unvetted and unverified software, do not follow this process.

Let's begin

Downloading the complete "Install macOS Catalina.app" file from Apple tree server using the "macOS Catalina Patcher" app is a really piece of cake process. Now, stride past step guide.

Go to the official website of the "macOS Catalina Patcher" app here and download the app.

How to download a complete macOS Catalina installer app

The download link is labeled equally "Download Latest Version" on that page.

Launch the "macOS Catalina Patcher" app.

Notation! By default, macOS preventing apps from unidentified developers or sources from being launched. So you nigh likely will become an alarm message that says: "macOS Catalina Patcher.app can't be opened because information technology is from an unidentified developer". To let but ane specific app to run practice the following:

  1. Hold down the Control key and click the app icon. From the contextual menu choose Open.
  2. A popup will announced asking you to confirm this activeness. Click the Open up push button.
How to download a complete macOS Catalina installer app How to download a complete macOS Catalina installer app

Click the "Continue" push button, and and then select "Download a Copy".

How to download a complete macOS Catalina installer app

Confirm that you lot want to download the "Install macOS Catalina.app" app to start the download to your hard drive.

How to download a complete macOS Catalina installer app How to download a complete macOS Catalina installer app

Shut the "macOS Catalina Patcher" app when the download is complete and locate the "Install macOS Catalina.app" file you downloaded.

Note! The download will be completed when you are prompted to choose an installation method. See the screenshot beneath.

How to download a complete macOS Catalina installer app

Determination

That's it, you're done. Now y'all have the consummate "Install macOS Catalina.app" file downloaded. And then simple isn't it?

How to download a complete macOS Catalina installer app

You tin can ostend that yous have the consummate "Install macOS Catalina.app" file by getting info on the file. For this simply select the file and click the Spacebar cardinal (or correct-click on the file and choose "Get Info"). The complete installer should be effectually 8.one GB rather than the tiny (just tens of megabytes) incomplete installer that requires additional downloads.

How to download a complete macOS Catalina installer app

Note! Retrieve, the "Install macOS Catalina.app" file deletes itself automatically later on macOS Catalina has successfully installed. Therefore, you lot may want to make a backup by having previously copied information technology to external storage.

Allow me know in the comments section if you know another way to download the consummate "Install macOS Catalina.app" file rather than the tiny incomplete installer.

I hope this article has helped you lot learn how to downloaded the complete "Install macOS Catalina.app" file from Apple server. If this article has helped you then please go out a annotate :smiley:

Thanks for reading!