README

MIST - macOS Installer Super Tool

!Latest Release !Downloads   

A Mac utility that automatically downloads macOS Firmwares / Installers:

!Example Screenshot



 :information_source: Check out mist-cli for the companion command-line tool!

 !Slack Check out mist on the Mac Admins Slack to discuss all things Mist!








 Features

- [x] List all available macOS Firmwares / Installers available for download:
  - Display names, versions, builds, release dates and sizes
  - Optionally show beta versions of macOS
  - Filter macOS versions that are compatible with the Mac the app is being run from
  - Export lists as CSV, JSON, Property List or YAML
- [x] Download available macOS Firmwares / Installers:
  - For Apple Silicon Macs:
    - Download a Firmware Restore file (.ipsw)
    - Validates the SHA-1 checksum upon download
    - Copy firmware URLs to clipboard
  - For Intel based Macs (Universal for macOS Big Sur and later):
    - Generate an Application Bundle (.app)
    - Generate a Disk Image (.dmg)
    - Generate a Bootable Disk Image (.iso)
      - For use with virtualization software (ie. Parallels Desktop, UTM, VMware Fusion, VirtualBox)
    - Generate a macOS Installer Package (.pkg)
      - Supports packages on macOS Big Sur and newer with a massive 12GB+ payload!
    - Optionally codesign Disk Images and macOS Installer Packages
    - Cache downloads to speed up build operations
    - Select custom Software Update Catalogs, allowing you to list and download macOS Installers from the following:
      - Standard: The default catalog that ships with macOS
      - Customer Seed: The catalog available as part of the AppleSeed Program
      - Developer Seed: The catalog available as part of the Apple Developer Program
      - Public Seed: The catalog available as part of the Apple Beta Software Program
      - Note: Catalogs from the Seed Programs may contain beta / unreleased versions of macOS. Ensure you are a member of these programs before proceeding.
    - Validates the Chunklist checksums upon download
  - Automatic retries for failed downloads!

Note: Depending on what Mist downloads, you may require allowing Full Disk Access for Mist via System Settings:

!Full Disk Access

 Build Requirements

- Swift 6.3.1 | Xcode 26.0.
- Runs on macOS Monterey 12.0 and later.

 Download

- Grab the latest version of Mist from the releases page.
- Alternatively, install via Homebrew by running brew install --cask mist

 Credits / Thank You

- Project created and maintained by Nindi Gill (ninxsoft).
- JP Simard (jpsim) for Yams, used to export lists as YAML.
- Josh Kaplan (jakaplan) for Blessed and SecureXPC, which are used to support the Privileged Helper Tool.
- The Sparkle Project (sparkle-project) for Sparkle, used to auto update Mist.
- Callum Jones (cj123) for IPSW Downloads API, used to determine macOS Firmware metadata.

 License

 Copyright © 2021-2026 Nindi Gill

 Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy

Top issues

Latest release

- Added support for macOS Golden Gate 27 :tada:
- Updated app icon to support new appearances on macOS Golden Gate
- Bumped Sparkle version to 2.9.4
- Bumped Yams version to 6.2.2