How to Download macOS Monterey on Unsupported MAC using gibMacOS?

Downloading macOS Monterey on an unsupported Mac using gibMacOS is a straightforward process that allows you to obtain the full macOS installer directly from Apple’s servers. gibMacOS is a Python script developed by corpnewt that works on macOS (and Windows, though this guide focuses on macOS).

This method is particularly useful for older Macs that can’t download Monterey through the Mac App Store due to compatibility restrictions.

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Prerequisites for successful process:

• A Mac: You need a Mac to run gibMacOS and extract the installer. It doesn’t need to support Monterey officially, as this is just for downloading.
• Internet Connection: A stable connection is required to download the ~12GB installer.
• Python 3: gibMacOS requires Python 3.x (macOS may come with Python 2.x, so you’ll need to install Python 3 if it’s not present).
• Disk Space: At least 20GB free to accommodate the download and extracted files.
• Admin Privileges: You’ll need permission to install software and move files.

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Below is a video that describes the exact process and the detailed steps to accomplish this: –

Step-by-Step Instructions to download macOS Monterey on unsupported Mac

1. Install Python 3 (if not already installed)

• Check if Python 3 is installed:
  python3 --version
• If it returns a version (e.g., “Python 3.11.x”), skip to Step 2. If it says “command not found,” install Python 3:
  • Install Homebrew (a package manager) if you don’t have it:
    /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
  • Follow the prompts, then install Python 3:
    brew install python
  • Verify:
    python3 --version

2. Download gibMacOS

• Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal).
• Clone the gibMacOS repository from GitHub: git clone https://github.com/corpnewt/gibMacOS.git
  • If you don’t have git, install it with:
    brew install git
• Navigate to the downloaded folder:
  cd gibMacOS

3. Run gibMacOS Script

• Launch the script with Python 3:
  python3 gibMacOS.command
• A text-based menu will appear in Terminal, listing available macOS versions.
• Select macOS Monterey:
  • Type the number corresponding to “macOS Monterey” (e.g., 1 or another number depending on the list) and press Enter.
  • If Monterey isn’t listed explicitly, look for options like “macOS 12.x” (Monterey is macOS 12). The exact number varies based on the script’s current catalog.
• Choose the full installer (not a beta or delta update) when prompted—typically labeled “Install macOS Monterey” or similar.
• The download will begin. It saves the installer as a .pkg file (e.g., InstallAssistant.pkg) in the gibMacOS/macOS Downloads/publicrelease/ subdirectory.
• Wait for the download to complete (12-13GB, so it may take time depending on your internet speed).

4. Extract the Installer

• Navigate to the download location:
  cd macOS\ Downloads/publicrelease/
• List files to find the .pkg:
  ls
• Extract the .pkg file:
  • Double-click it in Finder to run the installer, which places Install macOS Monterey.app in /Applications.
  • Or use Terminal for a manual extraction:
    pkgutil --expand-full "InstallAssistant.pkg" ~/Desktop/MontereyInstaller
  • Move the app to /Applications:
    mv ~/Desktop/MontereyInstaller/Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app /Applications/
• Verify the app is in /Applications:
  ls /Applications/ | grep "Install macOS Monterey"

5. Verify the Download

• Check the app size in Finder (right-click Install macOS Monterey.app > Get Info). It should be ~12GB or more, confirming it’s the full installer.
• Optionally, run:
  du -sh /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app
• Output should show ~12-13GB.

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Post-Download Options

• Create a Bootable USB: Use the app to make a bootable installer:

  sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/MyUSB --nointeraction

• Replace /Volumes/MyUSB with your USB drive’s mount point (format it as “Mac OS Extended (Journaled)” in Disk Utility first).
• Use on Unsupported Mac: To install Monterey on an unsupported Mac, you’ll need a patcher like OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) after creating the bootable USB. This involves additional steps beyond downloading, such as building an OpenCore bootloader.

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Troubleshooting

• “Command not found” for Python: Ensure Python 3 is installed and use python3 (not python).
• Download Fails: Check your internet connection or rerun the script. Look for “Failed” in the script output—if it says “None,” the download succeeded.
• Permission Denied: Use sudo for commands requiring admin access, or fix ownership:

  sudo chown -R $(whoami):staff ~/gibMacOS

• Monterey Not Listed: The script’s catalog may not update instantly. Check the GitHub repo for updates or manually specify a known Monterey build if documented.

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Notes

• Supported Macs: This guide is for downloading only. Official Monterey support starts with 2015 MacBook Airs, 2012 iMacs, etc. Unsupported Macs (e.g., pre-2015 models) need patching post-download.
• Space: Ensure 20GB+ free space to avoid interruptions.
• Time: Download time varies (e.g., 30-60 minutes on a 50Mbps connection).

You now have the full Install macOS Monterey.app ready for use!