[How-to] Download Sierra 10.12.6 installer using Mac App Store command line interface

[bory27]

Open Appstore, signin using your apple ID. This method requires your AppleID already eligible (or purchased) Mac OS X Sierra.

Download this:
https://github.com/mas-cli/mas/releases

Extract it to a folder, you'll get an executable file : "mas"
Drag "mas" file to terminal window, then behind it type so it says like this:
<username>$ /Users/xxx/Downloads/mas-cli/mas install 1127487414

It will start downloading latest Sierra (10.12.6) just like if using appstore...

 

[gonzex]

Found the same solution on macrumors
https://www.macrumors.com/2017/09/26/macos-sierra-decoupled-from-apple-id/
Works great. I installed mas-cli via the HomeBrew method
Thanks!

 

[dbocock]

Doesnt work for me, says "Download Unavailable with this Apple ID"
I upgraded by El Capitan originall, I didnt ever download the software (although I do have an old copy)

 

[bory27]

Doesnt work for me, says "Download Unavailable with this Apple ID"
I upgraded by El Capitan originall, I didnt ever download the software (although I do have an old copy)

As written above in first post:
"This method requires your AppleID already eligible (or purchased) Mac OS X Sierra."

Another note for newbies: For those of you who ever bought a macbook or imac or macpro, you should be eligible. Just make sure your AppleID is linked to the mac computer you have bought. Usually you do this when first time setting up your newly bought mac computer, signed it in with your AppleID.

 

[bikelike]

I upgraded my Macbook through clean install to Sierra, so no Sierra available through App store. I wouldn't mind at all to buy it for my Hackingtosh project, just I wouldn't know how...

 

[bory27]

I upgraded my Macbook through clean install to Sierra, so no Sierra available through App store. I wouldn't mind at all to buy it for my Hackingtosh project, just I wouldn't know how...

If u have your Appleid linked to that macbook, then you are eligible to sierra installation. You should be able to download sierra installer using above method.

Sierra installer is removed from appstore, but actually it's still downloadable, it's only hidden in appstore.

 

[bikelike]

OK, I see. Yes, I do have those required things.

When I drag that mas file into terminal, with app store open and logged in, it looks like this:

Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$ /Users/erikvandenboom/Downloads/mas

When I add as mentioned above, this is what I get:

Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$ /Users/erikvandenboom/Downloads/mas-cli/mas install 1127487414

-bash: /Users/erikvandenboom/Downloads/mas-cli/mas: No such file or directory

Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$

So something does not work...

I am a Mac newbie, some more detailed instruction, or link to it is welcome .

 

[bory27]

OK, I see. Yes, I do have those required things.

When I drag that mas file into terminal, with app store open and logged in, it looks like this:

Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$ /Users/erikvandenboom/Downloads/mas

When I add as mentioned above, this is what I get:

Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$ /Users/erikvandenboom/Downloads/mas-cli/mas install 1127487414

-bash: /Users/erikvandenboom/Downloads/mas-cli/mas: No such file or directory

Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$

So something does not work...

I am a Mac newbie, some more detailed instruction, or link to it is welcome .

Try this:
Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$ /Users/erikvandenboom/Downloads/mas-cli/mas list

What do you get?

 

[bikelike]

Try this:
Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$ /Users/erikvandenboom/Downloads/mas-cli/mas list

What do you get?

Nothing, but I tried again with the original command and now it says the below.

Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$ /Users/erikvandenboom/Downloads/mas

Available commands:


account Prints the primary account Apple ID

help Display general or command-specific help

install Install from the Mac App Store

list Lists apps from the Mac App Store which are currently installed

outdated Lists pending updates from the Mac App Store

reset Resets the Mac App Store

search Search for apps from the Mac App Store

signin Sign in to the Mac App Store

signout Sign out of the Mac App Store

upgrade Upgrade outdated apps from the Mac App Store

version Print version number

Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$

 

[bikelike]

It did me further. First of all I got the list of available commands when dragging in the mas-file which I did not get before. Then I was fiddling with the arrow buttons and all of a sudden this appeared, yet I don't know exactly what I was doing:

Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$ /Users/erikvandenboom/Downloads/mas

Available commands:


account Prints the primary account Apple ID

help Display general or command-specific help

install Install from the Mac App Store

list Lists apps from the Mac App Store which are currently installed

outdated Lists pending updates from the Mac App Store

reset Resets the Mac App Store

search Search for apps from the Mac App Store

signin Sign in to the Mac App Store

signout Sign out of the Mac App Store

upgrade Upgrade outdated apps from the Mac App Store

version Print version number

Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$ /Users/erikvandenboom/Downloads/mas-cli/mas install 1127487414

-bash: /Users/erikvandenboom/Downloads/mas-cli/mas: No such file or directory

Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$ /Users/erikvandenboom/Downloads/mas-cli/mas install 1127487414

-bash: /Users/erikvandenboom/Downloads/mas-cli/mas: No such file or directory

Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$ sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app --nointeraction

Password:

/Volumes/USB is not a valid volume mount point.

Eriks-MacBook:~ erikvandenboom$