4 Proven Ways to Download & Install macOS 12 Monterey for Free [2024 Tips]

You will learn three practical ways to download and install macOS 12 Monterey for free. Before the download or update process, you are suggested to run a Mac data recovery tool to restore and export data to another drive to protect your Mac data. Keep reading to get more information.

macOS 12 Monterey Overview (New Features & Improvements)

macOS 12 Monterey was introduced at WWDC 2021 and released in the fall of 2021. It is a free update for Macs running macOS 11 Big Sur. This macOS includes several new features, such as:

AirPlay to Mac: This allows users to wirelessly extend their Mac display to an Apple TV or another Mac.

Universal Control: This allows users to control multiple devices using one keyboard and mouse.

Shortcuts: This gives users quick access to often-used features and apps.

Safari improvements: This includes a new Privacy Report feature that shows what trackers are blocked on each website and a redesigned start page that makes accessing saved passwords and favorites easier.

Maps: This includes a new Explore tab that makes it easy to find places to eat, shop, and play near you.

Messages: This includes improvements to group chats, such as the ability to mention specific members of a group chat and reactions to individual messages.

To check compatibility, go to the App Store and click the "Update" tab. macOS 12 Monterey requires macOS 11 Big Sur or later and 4GB of memory.

Recover and Export Data Before macOS Monterey Download

Before you download macOS Monterey, one thing you should keep in mind. The installation might erase data. If you create a bootable media and install macOS, your data will be deleted from your hard drive. This is why it is vital to back up your data before you install macOS.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is a professional software designed to recover lost data from your Mac computer. It is compatible with all versions of macOS, including the macOS Ventura/Monterey/Big Sur/Catalina. It has many practical highlights that make this data recovery software stand out.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac is a reliable and effective data recovery software that can help you recover lost data from macOS Monterey. Follow the steps below to recover Monterey data.

Step 1. Search for lost files

Select the disk location to search for lost files (it can be an internal HDD/SSD or a removable storage device) on macOS Sierra, High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, and the latest Sonoma. Click the "Search for lost files" button.

Step 2. Go through the scanning results

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac will immediately scan your selected disk volume and display the scanning results.

Step 3. Select the file(s) and recover

In the scan results, select the file(s) to preview and click the "Recover" button to have them back.

4 Ways to Download macOS Monterey ISO/PKG/IPSW

Now that you have exported your Mac data to another place, you can download macOS Monterey ISO/PKG/IPSW/DMG files to your MacBooks.

Method 1. Download macOS Monterey from Mac App Store

You can directly download macOS Monterey from Mac App Store. Here are the steps to download macOS 12.

• Open the macOS Monterey download link.
• Click the Download option.

The macOS Monterey installer will be in /Applications when the download is finished.

Method 2. Download macOS Monterey Through Software Update

Another way to download macOS Monterey is using Software Update. You can find available updates for your apps and the current version of macOS.

• Go to Software Update.
• Hit the "Upgrade Now" button.

Then, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install macOS Monterey.

Method 3. Download macOS Monterey PKG Files

You can get macOS 12 with the help of InstallAssistant.pkg. It is a handy tool that makes it easy to download and install the macOS Ventura, Monterey, and Big Sur. Open the package, select the "Download macOS Monterey" option, and follow the on-screen instructions. The process is straightforward and only takes a few minutes.

• macOS Monterey 12.6 Download

If you still have problems, you can watch the macOS Monterey download video to get additional help.

• 0:44 1st way System Preferences - Software Update
• 3:02 2nd way Downloading from Mac App Store
• 3:56 3rd way 1 click download Monterey InstallAssistant.pkg

Method 4. Download macOS Monterey and Create a macOS Installer

Some users may need to download macOS Monterey to a USB flash drive and install it on various Mac computers. We can now instruct you on installing macOS cleanly from USB devices. Prepare a USB flash drive larger than 16 GB and format it. Don't forget to use Time Machine or other third-party backup software to create a backup of your vital data. Next, follow the instructions and use EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac's "macOS installer". 

It might help you make an installer for MacOS Monterey that boots up automatically.

Step 1. Select macOS installer

Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard for Mac and click "macOS Installer" on the left side. In tab 1, unfold the macOS version list by clicking "Select macOS intaller".  You can also select "Refresh" button after downloading the macOS installer from App Store.

You can download macOS installer to upgrade or downgrade macOS, and you can find all the available versions, no matter the latest or older versions. Morever, you can apply macOS installer to dual boot Mac and run two macOS together.

Step 2. Format the USB flash drive

Connect a USB flash drive (larger than 16 GB) to the Mac as your macOS boot drive. Choose the USB drive you prepared in tab 2 and click the "Erase and create" option in the pop-up window to format your USB flash drive. Then click the "Create macOS installer" button to start the creating.

1. Important: This progress will delete all data on your USB flash drive, please back up the data before, or use EaseUS data recovery software to recover your data.

Step 3. Create the macOS installer boot drive

Click the "Finish" button after the macOS installer creating is finished. Follow the prompts on the interface to perform subsequent installation operations.

How to Install macOS 12 Monterey (with Video)

Once the download is complete, the installer will automatically launch. Just follow the steps below to install macOS Monterey.

Step 1. Click "Restart Now"

Step 2. Wait for the macOS Monterey to load. You can watch this video to get additional help.

• 3:12 Restart your Mac
• 3:17 Wait patiently
• 3:28 Set up your Mac

macOS Monterey Download FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about macOS download and installation. Read on to get additional help.

1. Why can't I install Monterey on my Mac?

If you can't install macOS, here are the reasons:

• Your device is not compatible with the new OS
• The disk space is low, and can't install macOS Monterey
• Bad network connections and other Monterey problems

2. How to download and install macOS Big Sur?

To download macOS Big Sur:

Step 1. Open the macOS Big Sur download page and download the macOS Big Sur installer.

Step 2. Click on the Get button next to macOS Big Sur.

3. Is macOS Monterey available for all Macs?

macOS Monterey Compatibility:

• iMac (Late 2015 or later)
• iMac Pro (2017)
• MacBook (Early 2016 or later)
• MacBook Air (Early 2015 or later)
• MacBook Pro (Early 2015 or later)
• Mac Mini (Late 2014 or later)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 or later)

Conclusion

macOS Monterey is a free update that adds a number of new features and improvements to macOS, including a redesigned Lock screen, new CarPlay features, and an improved Messages app. The macOS Monterey download is available now in this post. Just get this operating system and enjoy its features.

If you have data loss problems on macOS Monterey, you can run EaseUS Mac hard drive recovery software to restore lost data with simple clicks.