How to Directly Download and Install macOS High Sierra 'or later' without Using the App Store

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If you're looking for ways to download and install macOS High Sierra (or any subsequent version) on your Mac outside of using the official App Store, this article is here to guide you through that process.

Why Not Use the App Store?

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There are several reasons why users might prefer not to use the App Store method:

1. Internet connectivity issues: Sometimes, a stable internet connection may be unavailable or too slow for a large file download.

2. Space constraints on your Macbook Air: If you're working with limited storage space and don't want to take up valuable disk space temporarily while downloading and installing macOS.

In this case, we'll focus specifically on High Sierra (10.13), but these general steps can be applied to subsequent versions of the operating system as well.

Prerequisites

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Before proceeding:

1. Ensure your Macbook Air meets the minimum hardware requirements for running High Sierra.

2. Backup all important data and applications, as this process will erase everything on your startup drive (i.e., you should have a bootable external drive or Time Machine backup handy).

3. Boot into Recovery Mode: Press Command + Option while powering up your Mac until the Apple logo appears with an underscore underneath.

Step 1: Downloading High Sierra from Apple's Support Website

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1. Go to 'Apple Support'(https://support.apple.com/).

2. Click on 'macOS' in the top navigation bar.

3. Select 'About macOS'.

4. Under 'Download', click on your Mac model (e.g., MacBook Pro) and then select High Sierra (or your desired version).

Step 2: Downloading the macOS High Sierra Installers

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1. On a separate Mac that can access the internet and has enough free storage space (at least 20 GB), open Safari.

2. Navigate back to Apple Support ('www.support.apple.com/'(http://wwwsupport.apple.com)).

3. Search for 'macOS 'version' Installer' where ''version'' is High Sierra or your desired version number.

For example, if you're looking for macOS High Sierra (10.13), enter this in the search bar:

* `macOS 10.13 Installers`

4. Click on the result titled “MacBook Pro / MacBook Air: Download macOS 'version' Combo' where ''version'' is your desired version number.

Step 3: Creating a Bootable USB Installer

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1. Download and install 'Applicability'(https://github.com/AppbJack/ApplePiPiper/wiki/USB-Boot-Linux-MacOSx)) if you haven't already.

2. Launch Applicability from your Applications folder or via Spotlight.

Or, alternatively:

* Download the 'Macintosh HD Utility'(http://www.macupdate.com/app/mid/mac-os-x-hd-utils) and follow its instructions to create a bootable USB installer.

Step 4: Installing macOS High Sierra

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1. Insert the bootable USB drive or CD into your Macbook Air's optical drive (if it has one), then restart while holding down the Option/Alternate key until you see the startup manager.

2. Select 'External' and choose your USB drive from the list of available drives.

3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

Troubleshooting

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If you encounter any issues during this process, here are some common solutions:

* Internet connection problems: Try using a different internet connection or rebooting your router/switch.

* Corrupted downloads: Re-download and reattempt installation from scratch.

* Bootable USB drive creation errors: Ensure that the USB stick is formatted correctly (use Disk Utility) and try again.

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With these steps, you should now be able to directly download and install macOS High Sierra on your Macbook Air without ever needing to access the App Store. Remember always to back up all important data before making any major changes to your operating system!

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