macOS 11 (Big Sur), the successor to macOS Catalina and the first operating system to support Apple's self-designed ARM processor, has introduced unprecedented changes. So, where to download macOS Big Sur? You're in the right place.
This post offers macOS Big Sur download links, including the macOS Big Sur full PKG installer, ISO, and DMG, for both compatible and incompatible Mac models and Windows PCs.
More importantly, if you can't download macOS Big Sur, it also helps analyze reasons and offers tricks.
If you want to download other macOS versions, read: macOS installers download.
macOS Big Sur supported Mac models
- MacBook (2015 & later)
- MacBook Air (2013 & later)
- MacBook Pro (Late 2013 & later)
- Mac mini (2014 & later)
- iMac (2014 & later)
- iMac Pro (2017 & later)
- Mac Pro (2013 & later)
Notes: At least 4 GB RAM and 35 GB free storage are recommended for installation.
Download macOS Big Sur from the App Store
The most common way to conduct a Mac OS 11 download is from the App Store. However, this way is only suitable for Mac models that support Big Sur. Or else, you will get the hint "Update not found."
If your Mac meets the macOS Big Sur compatibility requirements (check the list above), click the link to download macOS Big Sur from the App Store (the file format is .app).
⬇ Download macOS Big Sur
The macOS Big Sur installer will automatically open after downloading by default.
If you just want the installer and are not prepared to install it on your Mac at present, stop following the installation guide.
You can quit the installation process by clicking the "Install macOS Big Sur" option on the menu bar > "Quick Install macOS" > "Quit." Be aware that the installer will be kept in the Application folder in Finder.
How to install macOS Big Sur
If you want to install macOS Big Sur after downloading, just follow the prompts on your Mac to finish the installation.
- Click Continue on the prompt.
- Agree to the license terms.
- Select your startup disk (usually "Macintosh HD").
- Click Install.
Your Mac will restart automatically and complete the installation.
Installation usually takes 30–60 minutes, depending on your Mac.
Note: If you receive the error "'Install macOS Big Sur' cannot be opened from a newer version," it means you cannot directly downgrade to macOS Big Sur from a newer macOS. You can follow the content below to create a bootable macOS Big Sur USB installer and revert to Big Sur with it.
If you'll install macOS Big Sur on multiple Macs, you need a bootable USB installer too.
Download macOS Big Sur DMG
The macOS Big Sur DMG is essential if you need to:
- Downgrade to macOS Big Sur
- Install macOS Big Sur on a virtual machine for use on an unsupported Mac
- Create a macOS Big Sur bootable USB drive
Download macOS Big Sur DMG safely
The safest way to get the Big Sur DMG file is from iBoysoft DiskGeeker. This tool offers you direct access to the macOS Big Sur DMG download.
- Free download, install, and open iBoysoft DiskGeeker on your Mac.
- Click the Get button next to macOS Big Sur to download the Big Sur DMG file.
Download macOS Big Sur with the direct link
If you want to download the macOS Big Sur DMG from the internet, use the link below.
Keep in mind that this method isn't completely safe, as online files have the risk of being modified by malware or viruses.
⬇ macOS Big Sur DMG download (macOS 11.2.1, 11.4GB)
If you want to create a macOS Big Sur DMG file by yourself, follow this tutorial: How to Create macOS Big Sur DMG file. If you have a macOS Big Sur ISO file, you can also convert the ISO file to DMG on your Mac.
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Download macOS Big Sur ISO
The macOS Big Sur ISO is used to install Big Sur on virtual machines like VirtualBox or VMware so that you can
- Run macOS Big Sur on a Windows PC
- Run macOS Big Sur on an incompatible Mac
You can click the link below to directly download the macOS Big Sur ISO file:
⬇ macOS Big Sur ISO download (13.2GB)
Read also:
Download macOS Big Sur PKG
Want to download macOS Big Sur without the App Store? You could also follow the links below to directly download the macOS Big Sur .pkg file from Apple servers.
The macOS .pkg file usually contains a .app format of macOS installer.
macOS Big Sur Download links:
| macOS Big Sur installer | Version | Size | Release Date |
| InstallAssistant.pkg | 11.7.10 | 11.6 GB | Aug. 11, 2023 |
| InstallAssistant.pkg | 11.7.9 | 11.6 GB | Jun. 24, 2023 |
| InstallAssistant.pkg | 11.7.8 | 11.6 GB | Jul. 21, 2023 |
| InstallAssistant.pkg | 11.7.7 | 11.8 GB | May 18, 2023 |
| InstallAssistant.pkg | 11.7.6 | 12.0 GB | Apr. 10, 2023 |
| InstallAssistant.pkg | 11.7.5 | 12.1 GB | Mar. 27, 2023 |
| InstallAssistant.pkg | 11.7.4 | 12.3 GB | Feb. 15, 2023 |
| InstallAssistant.pkg | 11.7.3 | 12.3 GB | Jan. 23, 2023 |
| InstallAssistant.pkg | 11.7.2 | 12.3 GB | Dec. 13, 2022 |
| InstallAssistant.pkg | 11.7.1 | 12.45 GB | Oct. 24, 2022 |
| InstallAssistant.pkg | 11.7 | 12.45 GB | Sept. 12, 2022 |
Note: If you can't download the macOS Big Sur PKG file with these links, check the Wi-Fi condition and your access permission to swcdn.apple.com.
Download macOS Big Sur for Windows
Apple does not officially support downloading or installing macOS on Windows. However, you can still download macOS Big Sur on Windows for creating a bootable USB for an unbootable Mac, or indirectly running macOS Big Sur on Windows for testing or development purposes.
iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows offers official macOS Big Sur ISO and DMG download options for your direct download.
Download macOS Big Sur on Windows with iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows:
- Install and open iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows.
- Move to the Download and create boot disk field.
- Click "Download macOS system image."
- Find macOS Big Sur, click the Get button next to it, and select which format of the installer you want - DMG or ISO.
- Choose a destination to save the installer and click "Confirm."
- Wait for a moment to get the official macOS Big Sur installer.
Create a macOS Big Sur bootable USB installer
Create a macOS Big Sur bootable USB installer on a Mac
If you need to boot a Mac from a USB, you should create a bootable USB installer first. The conventional way (using Terminal) to create a bootable USB installer for macOS Big Sur is tedious and prone to failure.
If you're not familiar with Terminal and command lines, we suggest you switch to using iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Mac. This tool works to simplify the macOS bootable installer creation process - only a few clicks.
- Download, install, and open iBoysoft DiskGeeker on your Mac.
- Connect a USB drive to your Mac. Remember to back up data on it.
- Select a volume on the USB drive from the app's main interface and click Select > Continue.
- Choose macOS Big Sur from the list, and click "Create boot disk."
Now, this tool starts downloading macOS Big Sur DMG. Once the download process is completed, it will automatically create the macOS Big Sur bootable USB installer.
Create a macOS Big Sur bootable USB installer on Windows
If you only have a Windows PC and want to create a bootable USB installer to start up a Mac, let iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows help you create it.
- Connect a USB drive with at least 32 GB of free space (larger is better) to your PC.
- Install and launch iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows on the PC.
- In the Download and create boot disk field, click "Create macOS USB Installer."
- Select the USB drive as the target.
- Choose macOS Big Sur and click "Create boot disk."
After a moment, the macOS Big Sur bootable USB installer will be automatically created.
Share the detailed steps about how to make a bootable macOS Big Sur USB installer on a Mac.
Common macOS Big Sur download issues
Fail to download macOS Big Sur, or does the downloading process seem to get stuck? Follow these checks to proceed with troubleshooting.
macOS Big Sur download stuck
Causes: Unstable network connection, insufficient Mac disk space
Solutions: Check your network connection, change your Wi-Fi, and re-enable the router; free up more space on your Mac.
If you don't want to waste time on this kind of tiny thing and are in a hurry to get the macOS Big Sur installer, you can follow this guide to clean up junk files on your Mac: How to Clean Junk Files on Mac.
macOS Big Sur not showing up in the App Store or Software Update
Causes: Your Mac model doesn't support macOS Big Sur
Solutions: Check if your Mac supports macOS Big Sur, download Mac OS Big Sur with the direct links.
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macOS Big Sur Security & Support Status
- macOS Big Sur no longer receives feature updates
- Security updates are limited or discontinued
- Recommended mainly for legacy Macs or offline use
- For daily use, consider upgrading to a newer macOS version if your Mac supports it.
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FAQs about macOS Big Sur download
- QCan I download macOS Big Sur for Windows?
-
A
Yes. If you want to install macOS Big Sur in a virtual machine (VMware or VirtualBox) on Windows, you can download the ISO format of macOS Big Sur using iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows. Also, you can convert the macOS Big Sur DMG to ISO with VirtualBox on a Windows PC.
- QCan I download macOS Big Sur for free?
-
A
macOS Big Sur is free to be downloaded from Apple App Store, Software Update and Apple server.
- QIs macOS Big Sur available as an ISO file?
-
A
Apple does not provide ISO files. ISOs must be manually created. Alternatives, you can download the ISO format of macOS Big Sur with iBoysoft DiskGeeker for Windows.