Install macOS Catalina
Install macOS Catalina is Apple's installer app for downloading and installing macOS 10.15 on compatible Mac computers.
What is Install macOS Catalina?
Install macOS Catalina is the macOS installer application for macOS 10.15, created by Apple for compatible Mac computers. Users typically open it when upgrading a Mac, reinstalling the operating system, or preparing installation media for troubleshooting and setup tasks. The app guides you through the standard installation process, checks compatibility and available storage, and places the files needed to install Catalina on the Mac. It is most useful for people maintaining older Macs that still support Catalina or for workflows that require that version of macOS. On Macs where it is intentionally kept, it can also be used with Apple's createinstallmedia tool to build a bootable installer.
Key features
- Start an in-place upgrade to macOS Catalina on a compatible Mac
- Reinstall macOS Catalina for recovery, repair, or setup needs
- Check basic installation requirements such as compatible hardware and available storage
- Provide the installer files used to create a bootable macOS Catalina installer
- Guide users through the standard macOS installation steps with onscreen prompts
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Safety overview
Status: Safe
This is a legitimate Apple installer used to install or reinstall macOS Catalina. Running it changes system software, so it should only be opened when you intend to upgrade, reinstall, or create installation media. It does not need to stay on your Mac after installation is complete, but removing it means you would need to download it again before using Catalina in the future.
Recommendation: Keep it if you plan to install or reinstall macOS Catalina, need a bootable installer, or maintain an older compatible Mac. If you no longer use Catalina, you can remove the installer app to free up disk space and download it again later if needed.
Common paths
/Applications/Install macOS Catalina.app
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