There are multiple ways to obtain the installer .app file for Mac OSX that we’ll detail for you below:

The recommended approach is using softwareupdate in your terminal:

❯ softwareupdate --list-full-installers
Finding available software
Software Update found the following full installers:
* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.2.1, Size: 12155426708K, Build: 21D62
* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.2, Size: 12156325205K, Build: 21D49
* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.1, Size: 12157035487K, Build: 21C52
* Title: macOS Monterey, Version: 12.0.1, Size: 12128428704K, Build: 21A559
* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.6.4, Size: 12439328867K, Build: 20G417
* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.6.3, Size: 12435122667K, Build: 20G415
* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.6.2, Size: 12433351292K, Build: 20G314
* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.6.1, Size: 12428472512K, Build: 20G224
* Title: macOS Big Sur, Version: 11.5.2, Size: 12440916552K, Build: 20G95
* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.7, Size: 8248985973K, Build: 19H15
* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.7, Size: 8248854894K, Build: 19H2
* Title: macOS Catalina, Version: 10.15.6, Size: 8248781171K, Build: 19G2021

❯ softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 12.2.1 
Scanning for 12.2.1 installer
Install finished successfully

❯ ls /Applications | grep Monterey 
Install macOS Monterey.app

Other options are:

  1. If you have a pending upgrade to the next minor or patch version of Mac OS:
    • Within Preferences -> Software Update -> Advanced, make sure Download new updates when available is checked but Install macOS updates is not. While you’re still within Software Update, click Update Now but do not install the next version (Restart) until after you’ve created the Anka VM or the Install .app under /Applications will be deleted.
    • You can also use the App Store to download the installer.
  2. Have your local IT department provide a network volume or download links.
  3. Use our Getting Started script, but run it with ./create-vm-template.bash --no-anka-create
  4. MIST - macOS Installer Super Tool