Can I reuse the macOS Big Sur Installer on multiple macs?

Community Browse Search Sign in

macOS / Earlier Operating Systems

You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting
helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no oneʼs replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Kalyan K Author
Level 1 15 points

Can I reuse the macOS Big Sur Installer on multiple

macs?
I have multiple macs that I need to update to macOS Big Sur. Trying to find out the easiest way to update all of them. The
installer is around 12 GB +. This is a bit challenging with slow internet.

Should I do the update via System Preferences>Software Update in all of them, Or can I do the Software Update in one
computer, copy the Install macOS Big [Link] from that computer to all the Applications folder in all the remaining computers
and then run the Software Update.

Is there any issues following the second approach.

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 11.0
Posted on Dec 5, 2020 1J39 PM

Me too (5) Reply

babowa Top-ranking reply

Level 9 78,435 points

Posted on Dec 5, 2020 2J08 PM

I have used that approach several times. I have copies of every MacOS installer copied to an external hard drive
for safekeeping. Saves the long wait for a download if you have a slow connection. Just copy it to your
Applications folder and run it from there. I have not tried that with Big Sur. Your apps are safe as long as you
donʼt do anything except to hit the install button. There is no difference from getting it from a download.

View in context !

Similar questions

Downloading macOS Installers install Mac OS Big Sur on updates

I set myself a project to download the installers for MacBookPro (Retina) mid 2014 I have an older client who uses 2 computers. for
macOS Sierra through Big Sur and put them all on If I want to install Mac OS Big Sur on my this reason I want to update the 2 computers to
an external drive (random idea, but you never… MacBookPro (Retina) mid 2014. Should I rather the same OS. the older MBA can only go to Big S…
install it from another bootable volume or simply…

3 years ago 150 4 3 years ago 401 2 2 years ago 235 1

13 replies Sort By: Rank "

babowa Top-ranking reply

Level 9 78,435 points

Dec 5, 2020 2J08 PM in response to Kalyan K

I have used that approach several times. I have copies of every MacOS installer copied to an external hard drive for safekeeping.
Saves the long wait for a download if you have a slow connection. Just copy it to your Applications folder and run it from there. I
have not tried that with Big Sur. Your apps are safe as long as you donʼt do anything except to hit the install button. There is no
difference from getting it from a download.

Reply

Kalyan K Author
Level 1 15 points

Dec 5, 2020 1J46 PM in response to dialabrain

I have done the bootable installer in the past. I know I can do a clean install of the mac using this approach, But I don't
remember if there was an option to just update the OS (and leave my users and files intact). Do you know if that is possible?

Reply

dialabrain
Level 10 125,717 points

Dec 5, 2020 1J58 PM in response to Kalyan K

As long as you don't erase the drive first. Make sure to back up first. Also, currently 2013-2014 MacBook Pros are blocked.
[Link]

Reply

Kalyan K Author
Level 1 15 points

Dec 5, 2020 2J11 PM in response to babowa

Cool. Although I have done it once in the past, I did it with 2 macbooks of the exactly same model and specs. I was not sure if
we can do this with any mac though. I was wondering if the installer would have slightly different files when downloaded on
different computers.

Reply

babowa
Level 9 78,435 points

Dec 5, 2020 2J24 PM in response to Kalyan K

I have done it on different Macs, but have not had a need lately, so I do not know if anything has changed what with the new
security protocols with the new OS versions. As long as you have a good backup (my preference is a bootable clone) you should
be fine. Try it - if it doesnʼt work, boot from the clone, erase the internal and clone the old OS back.

Reply

babowa
Level 9 78,435 points

Dec 5, 2020 3J50 PM in response to Kalyan K

Well, with a clone, you already have the old OS and all your files on the external drive. Get an external hard drive, plug it in,
launch Disk Utility, erase the external (nothing that is included is needed) and format it Mac OS Extended and GUID partition
scheme (that makes it bootable).

Download either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper and install it. CAUTION: CCC seems to have a stable version for Big Sur, not
sure about SuperDuper. But they both work in Catalina, so check to make sure you're good. So, your external is plugged in,
launch CCC, look at the instructions, choose the external drive and hit clone. When it is finished (initial one takes a bit longer
than an incremental backup). you can test it to make sure it works. Choose to restart choosing the external, wait for it to boot up
and check it out. It should be a complete copy/clone of your internal drive. When done testing, boot back into the internal drive,
and you can eject the external.

To choose a different disk to boot up with, you can either hit the D key for the startup manager and choose it there or go to
System Preferences > Startup Disk > choose the drive to boot from (you need to log in after clicking on the little lock).

When ready for Big Sur, upgrade on the internal. Test it out; if something isn't working well or some other anomalies, boot back
into your external, got to Disk Utility in recovery mode and wipe your internal drive. Then reverse the process and clone
everything back to your internal.

Reply

dialabrain
Level 10 125,717 points

Dec 5, 2020 1J41 PM in response to Kalyan K

See: How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

Reply

dialabrain
Level 10 125,717 points

Dec 5, 2020 2J03 PM in response to Kalyan K

FWIW, you could copy "Install macOS Big Sur" to a 16GB or larger flash drive then copy that if you want. Of course you would
have to copy over a 12+ GB file each time.

Reply

Kalyan K Author
Level 1 15 points

Dec 5, 2020 2J05 PM in response to dialabrain

I would just Airdrop the file. It is way faster than downloading it each time with my internet.

Reply

dialabrain
Level 10 125,717 points

Dec 5, 2020 2J06 PM in response to Kalyan K

Yes but, it's slower than plugging in a flash drive.

Reply

Kalyan K Author
Level 1 15 points

Dec 5, 2020 2J50 PM in response to babowa

I you dont mind, can you tell me how you create the bootable clone? And how do you restore with old OS?

Reply

Kalyan K Author
Level 1 15 points

Dec 5, 2020 4J32 PM in response to babowa

Got it, that was very informative. Thanks a lot.

Reply

babowa
Level 9 78,435 points

Dec 5, 2020 5J47 PM in response to Kalyan K

Good luck!

Reply

1 of 1

This site contains user submitted content, comments and opinions and is for informational purposes only. Apple may provide or recommend responses as a possible solution based on the
information provided; every potential issue may involve several factors not detailed in the conversations captured in an electronic forum and Apple can therefore provide no guarantee as to the
efficacy of any proposed solutions on the community forums. Apple disclaims any and all liability for the acts, omissions and conduct of any third parties in connection with or related to your
use of the site. All postings and use of the content on this site are subject to the Apple Support Community Terms of Use. See how your data is managed...

 Support Community
Welcome to Apple Support Community $
More ways to shop: Visit an Apple Store, call 1-800-MY-APPLE, or find a reseller.
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn
Copyright © 2024 more
Apple Inc.#All Sign
rights up #
reserved. Privacy Policy Terms of Use Sales and Refunds Legal Site Map United States