Devices running 15.6 cannot create Installers

[BigMacAdmin]

🪲 Description

This issue is present in both Mist and mist-cli

On macOS 15.6, after downloading all assets an error is occurring Opened package is not the same at install time...

📋 Steps to Reproduce

1. Run mist download installer Sequoia application --application-name "Install macOS Sequoia.app" --output-directory /var/tmp --compatible --no-ansi (appears to happen regardless of the options)
2. Wait for mist to download all assets
3. Observe error during the Verifying process

✅ Expected Behaviour

Installer app should be created in the provided directory

💻 Environment

• mist version (mist --version): 2.1.1 (latest: 2.1.1)
• macOS Version (sw_vers): 24G84
• Hardware (system_profiler SPHardwareDataType):
  • Model Identifier: Mac16,13
  • Chip : Apple M4

I was able to successfully use EraseInstall/mist on 14.6.1 23G93 on an M1 Macbook Pro

📷 Screenshots

If applicable, add screenshots to help explain the bug.

ℹ️ Additional context

I observed this when running erase-install but also when running mist directly in Terminal.

I observe that others have reported this for Mist GUI app on Slack: https://macadmins.slack.com/archives/CF0CFM5B7/p1753954228095199?thread_ts=1753894964.913659&cid=CF0CFM5B7

Mist GUI appears to error at a slightly different time, but with the same ultimate error code:

Apparently duplicate/similar issue in Mist GUI: ninxsoft/Mist#182

mist-cli logs:

 mist download installer Sequoia application --application-name "Install macOS Sequoia.app" --output-directory /var/tmp --compatible --no-ansi
┌──────────────────┐
│ INPUT VALIDATION │
└──────────────────┘
  ├─ User is 'root'...
  ├─ Download search string will be 'Sequoia'...
  ├─ Include betas in search results will be 'false'...
  ├─ Only include compatible installers will be 'true'...
  ├─ Cache downloads will be 'false'...
  ├─ Output directory will be '/var/tmp'...
  ├─ Temporary directory will be '/private/tmp/com.ninxsoft.mist'...
  ├─ Force flag has not been set, existing files will not be overwritten...
  ├─ Application name will be 'Install macOS Sequoia.app'...
┌────────┐
│ SEARCH │
└────────┘
  ├─ Searching for macOS download 'Sequoia'...
  ├─ Found [082-08661] macOS Sequoia 15.6 (24G84) [2025-07-29]
┌───────┐
│ SETUP │
└───────┘
  ├─ Deleting old temporary directory '/private/tmp/com.ninxsoft.mist/082-08661'...
  ├─ Creating new temporary directory '/private/tmp/com.ninxsoft.mist/082-08661'...
┌──────────┐
│ DOWNLOAD │
└──────────┘
  ├─ [ 1 / 6 ] 082-08661.English.dist......................... [  0000  B /  0000  B (00.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 1 / 6 ] 082-08661.English.dist......................... [ 10.31 KB / 10.31 KB (100.0%) ]
  ├─ [ 1 / 6 ] 082-08661.English.dist......................... [ 10.31 KB / 10.31 KB (100.0%) ]
  │            Verifying...
  │            Verifying... ✓✓✓
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [  0000  B / 15.66 GB (00.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg.......................... [ 156.63 MB / 15.66 GB (01.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg.......................... [ 313.23 MB / 15.66 GB (02.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg.......................... [ 469.86 MB / 15.66 GB (03.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg.......................... [ 626.41 MB / 15.66 GB (04.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg.......................... [ 782.98 MB / 15.66 GB (05.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg.......................... [ 939.52 MB / 15.66 GB (06.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 01.10 GB / 15.66 GB (07.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 01.25 GB / 15.66 GB (08.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 01.41 GB / 15.66 GB (09.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 01.57 GB / 15.66 GB (10.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 01.72 GB / 15.66 GB (11.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 01.88 GB / 15.66 GB (12.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 02.04 GB / 15.66 GB (13.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 02.19 GB / 15.66 GB (14.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 02.35 GB / 15.66 GB (15.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 02.51 GB / 15.66 GB (16.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 02.66 GB / 15.66 GB (17.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 02.82 GB / 15.66 GB (18.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 02.98 GB / 15.66 GB (19.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 03.13 GB / 15.66 GB (20.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 03.29 GB / 15.66 GB (21.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 03.45 GB / 15.66 GB (22.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 03.60 GB / 15.66 GB (23.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 03.76 GB / 15.66 GB (24.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 03.91 GB / 15.66 GB (25.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 04.07 GB / 15.66 GB (26.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 04.23 GB / 15.66 GB (27.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 04.38 GB / 15.66 GB (28.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 04.54 GB / 15.66 GB (29.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 04.70 GB / 15.66 GB (30.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 04.85 GB / 15.66 GB (31.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 05.01 GB / 15.66 GB (32.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 05.17 GB / 15.66 GB (33.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 05.32 GB / 15.66 GB (34.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 05.48 GB / 15.66 GB (35.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 05.64 GB / 15.66 GB (36.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 05.79 GB / 15.66 GB (37.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 05.95 GB / 15.66 GB (38.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 06.11 GB / 15.66 GB (39.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 06.26 GB / 15.66 GB (40.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 06.42 GB / 15.66 GB (41.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 06.58 GB / 15.66 GB (42.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 06.73 GB / 15.66 GB (43.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 06.89 GB / 15.66 GB (44.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 07.05 GB / 15.66 GB (45.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 07.20 GB / 15.66 GB (46.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 07.36 GB / 15.66 GB (47.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 07.52 GB / 15.66 GB (48.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 07.67 GB / 15.66 GB (49.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 07.83 GB / 15.66 GB (50.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 07.99 GB / 15.66 GB (51.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 08.14 GB / 15.66 GB (52.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 08.30 GB / 15.66 GB (53.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 08.46 GB / 15.66 GB (54.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 08.61 GB / 15.66 GB (55.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 08.77 GB / 15.66 GB (56.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 08.93 GB / 15.66 GB (57.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 09.08 GB / 15.66 GB (58.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 09.24 GB / 15.66 GB (59.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 09.39 GB / 15.66 GB (60.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 09.55 GB / 15.66 GB (61.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 09.71 GB / 15.66 GB (62.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 09.86 GB / 15.66 GB (63.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 10.02 GB / 15.66 GB (64.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 10.18 GB / 15.66 GB (65.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 10.33 GB / 15.66 GB (66.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 10.49 GB / 15.66 GB (67.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 10.65 GB / 15.66 GB (68.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 10.80 GB / 15.66 GB (69.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 10.96 GB / 15.66 GB (70.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 11.12 GB / 15.66 GB (71.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 11.27 GB / 15.66 GB (72.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 11.43 GB / 15.66 GB (73.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 11.59 GB / 15.66 GB (74.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 11.74 GB / 15.66 GB (75.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 11.90 GB / 15.66 GB (76.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 12.06 GB / 15.66 GB (77.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 12.21 GB / 15.66 GB (78.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 12.37 GB / 15.66 GB (79.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 12.53 GB / 15.66 GB (80.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 12.68 GB / 15.66 GB (81.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 12.84 GB / 15.66 GB (82.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 13.00 GB / 15.66 GB (83.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 13.15 GB / 15.66 GB (84.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 13.31 GB / 15.66 GB (85.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 13.47 GB / 15.66 GB (86.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 13.62 GB / 15.66 GB (87.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 13.78 GB / 15.66 GB (88.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 13.94 GB / 15.66 GB (89.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 14.09 GB / 15.66 GB (90.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 14.25 GB / 15.66 GB (91.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 14.41 GB / 15.66 GB (92.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 14.56 GB / 15.66 GB (93.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 14.72 GB / 15.66 GB (94.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 14.88 GB / 15.66 GB (95.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 15.03 GB / 15.66 GB (96.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 15.19 GB / 15.66 GB (97.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 15.34 GB / 15.66 GB (98.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 15.50 GB / 15.66 GB (99.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 15.66 GB / 15.66 GB (100.0%) ]
  ├─ [ 2 / 6 ] InstallAssistant.pkg........................... [ 15.66 GB / 15.66 GB (100.0%) ]
  │            Verifying...
  │            Verifying... ✓✓✓
  ├─ [ 3 / 6 ] InstallInfo.plist.............................. [  0000  B /  0181  B (00.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 3 / 6 ] InstallInfo.plist.............................. [  0181  B /  0181  B (100.0%) ]
  ├─ [ 3 / 6 ] InstallInfo.plist.............................. [  0181  B /  0181  B (100.0%) ]
  │            Verifying...
  │            Verifying... ✓✓✓
  ├─ [ 4 / 6 ] MajorOSInfo.pkg................................ [  0000  B / 01.26 MB (00.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 4 / 6 ] MajorOSInfo.pkg................................ [ 85.80 KB / 01.26 MB (06.84%) ]
  ├─ [ 4 / 6 ] MajorOSInfo.pkg............................... [ 156.00 KB / 01.26 MB (12.43%) ]
  ├─ [ 4 / 6 ] MajorOSInfo.pkg............................... [ 240.50 KB / 01.26 MB (19.16%) ]
  ├─ [ 4 / 6 ] MajorOSInfo.pkg............................... [ 460.20 KB / 01.26 MB (36.66%) ]
  ├─ [ 4 / 6 ] MajorOSInfo.pkg............................... [ 597.15 KB / 01.26 MB (47.58%) ]
  ├─ [ 4 / 6 ] MajorOSInfo.pkg............................... [ 697.25 KB / 01.26 MB (55.55%) ]
  ├─ [ 4 / 6 ] MajorOSInfo.pkg............................... [ 794.75 KB / 01.26 MB (63.32%) ]
  ├─ [ 4 / 6 ] MajorOSInfo.pkg................................ [ 01.10 MB / 01.26 MB (87.80%) ]
  ├─ [ 4 / 6 ] MajorOSInfo.pkg................................ [ 01.22 MB / 01.26 MB (96.94%) ]
  ├─ [ 4 / 6 ] MajorOSInfo.pkg................................ [ 01.26 MB / 01.26 MB (100.0%) ]
  ├─ [ 4 / 6 ] MajorOSInfo.pkg................................ [ 01.26 MB / 01.26 MB (100.0%) ]
  │            Verifying...
  │            Verifying... ✓✓✓
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [  0000  B / 04.15 MB (00.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 81.92 KB / 04.15 MB (01.97%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip............................... [ 229.36 KB / 04.15 MB (05.53%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip............................... [ 311.28 KB / 04.15 MB (07.50%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip............................... [ 475.11 KB / 04.15 MB (11.45%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip............................... [ 621.36 KB / 04.15 MB (14.97%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip............................... [ 785.19 KB / 04.15 MB (18.92%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip............................... [ 884.71 KB / 04.15 MB (21.32%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip............................... [ 999.39 KB / 04.15 MB (24.08%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 01.25 MB / 04.15 MB (30.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 01.34 MB / 04.15 MB (32.37%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 01.46 MB / 04.15 MB (35.14%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 01.62 MB / 04.15 MB (39.08%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 01.82 MB / 04.15 MB (43.82%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 01.90 MB / 04.15 MB (45.80%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 01.98 MB / 04.15 MB (47.77%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 02.21 MB / 04.15 MB (53.29%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 02.39 MB / 04.15 MB (57.64%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 02.51 MB / 04.15 MB (60.40%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 02.69 MB / 04.15 MB (64.74%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 02.90 MB / 04.15 MB (69.88%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 03.01 MB / 04.15 MB (72.64%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 03.11 MB / 04.15 MB (75.01%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 03.19 MB / 04.15 MB (76.98%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 03.29 MB / 04.15 MB (79.35%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 03.41 MB / 04.15 MB (82.11%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 03.49 MB / 04.15 MB (84.09%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 03.64 MB / 04.15 MB (87.64%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 03.78 MB / 04.15 MB (91.19%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 03.90 MB / 04.15 MB (93.96%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 04.06 MB / 04.15 MB (97.91%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 04.15 MB / 04.15 MB (100.0%) ]
  ├─ [ 5 / 6 ] UpdateBrain.zip................................ [ 04.15 MB / 04.15 MB (100.0%) ]
  │            Verifying...
  │            Verifying... ✓✓✓
  ├─ [ 6 / 6 ] com_apple_MobileAsset_MacSoftwareUpdate.plist.. [  0000  B / 01.42 MB (00.00%) ]
  ├─ [ 6 / 6 ] com_apple_MobileAsset_MacSoftwareUpdate.plist.. [ 98.30 KB / 01.42 MB (06.91%) ]
  ├─ [ 6 / 6 ] com_apple_MobileAsset_MacSoftwareUpdate.plist. [ 196.60 KB / 01.42 MB (13.81%) ]
  ├─ [ 6 / 6 ] com_apple_MobileAsset_MacSoftwareUpdate.plist. [ 442.34 KB / 01.42 MB (31.07%) ]
  ├─ [ 6 / 6 ] com_apple_MobileAsset_MacSoftwareUpdate.plist. [ 539.45 KB / 01.42 MB (37.89%) ]
  ├─ [ 6 / 6 ] com_apple_MobileAsset_MacSoftwareUpdate.plist. [ 768.81 KB / 01.42 MB (54.01%) ]
  ├─ [ 6 / 6 ] com_apple_MobileAsset_MacSoftwareUpdate.plist. [ 917.48 KB / 01.42 MB (64.45%) ]
  ├─ [ 6 / 6 ] com_apple_MobileAsset_MacSoftwareUpdate.plist.. [ 01.06 MB / 01.42 MB (74.81%) ]
  ├─ [ 6 / 6 ] com_apple_MobileAsset_MacSoftwareUpdate.plist.. [ 01.33 MB / 01.42 MB (93.22%) ]
  ├─ [ 6 / 6 ] com_apple_MobileAsset_MacSoftwareUpdate.plist.. [ 01.42 MB / 01.42 MB (100.0%) ]
  ├─ [ 6 / 6 ] com_apple_MobileAsset_MacSoftwareUpdate.plist.. [ 01.42 MB / 01.42 MB (100.0%) ]
  │            Verifying...
  │            Verifying... ✓✓✓
┌─────────┐
│ INSTALL │
└─────────┘
  ├─ Creating image '/private/tmp/com.ninxsoft.mist/082-08661/082-08661.dmg'...
  ├─ Mounting disk image at mount point '/Volumes/082-08661'...
  ├─ Creating new installer '/Volumes/082-08661/Applications/Install macOS Sequoia.app'...
  └─ Invalid Exit Status Code: '1', Message: 2025-08-04 17:04:29.496 installer[58088:1039555] Opened package is not the same at install time...

[tlsnine]

Bug Fix: Modern macOS Installer Creation

Problem Description

Mist-cli is failing to create functional macOS installer apps for modern macOS versions (macOS Sequoia 15.0+). The tool would either:

1. Create incomplete installers - Only ~50MB “shell” apps missing the actual macOS payload
2. Fail with package errors - “Opened package is not the same at install time” when using the installer command
3. Create non-functional apps - Missing proper executable, icon, and app bundle structure

Affected Versions

• macOS Sequoia 15.0+
• macOS 15.1+ (all versions)
• Any modern macOS installer using the new InstallAssistant.pkg format

Root Cause Analysis

Modern macOS installers use a complex multi-part package structure:

InstallAssistant.pkg (16.7GB)
├── Payload (22MB) - App structure (executable, icon, Info.plist)
├── SharedSupport.dmg (16GB) - Actual macOS installation files
├── Scripts/
└── PackageInfo

The core issues were:

1. Incompatible installation method - Mist used the installer command which expects packages to remain in their original download location
2. Path conflicts - Moving files from /private/tmp/ broke the installer command’s internal references
3. Incomplete reconstruction - Even when successful, only the basic app structure was installed, not the full payload

Solution

Replaced the problematic installer command approach with a manual reconstruction method that replicates the successful manual process:

New Installation Flow

1. Direct download to shared location - Download files directly to /Users/Shared/Mist/tmp instead of /private/tmp/
2. Package extraction - Use pkgutil --expand to extract InstallAssistant.pkg components
3. App structure extraction - Extract proper app bundle from Payload file using multiple methods (cpio, pax)
4. SharedSupport integration - Mount SharedSupport.dmg and copy contents to app’s SharedSupport directory
5. Permission fixing - Apply proper ownership, permissions, and remove invalid signatures

Code Changes

Modified Files

Mist/Helpers/InstallerCreator.swift

• Replaced installer command workflow with manual reconstruction
• Added multi-method Payload extraction (cpio, gzipped cpio, pax)
• Implemented SharedSupport.dmg mounting and content copying
• Added comprehensive permission fixes

Mist/Commands/DownloadInstallerOptions.swift

• Changed default temporary directory from /private/tmp/com.ninxsoft.mist to /Users/Shared/Mist/tmp

Key Functions Added

// Extracts real app structure from Payload file
private static func extractProperAppStructureFromPayload(...)

// Mounts SharedSupport.dmg and copies 16GB payload
private static func mountAndCopySharedSupport(...)

// Applies proven permission fixes
private static func applySuccessfulPermissionFixes(...)

Verification

Before Fix

$ du -sh "Install macOS Sequoia.app"
50M     Install macOS Sequoia.app

$ open "Install macOS Sequoia.app"
# Error: "Install macOS Sequoia" is damaged and can't be opened

After Fix

$ du -sh "Install macOS Sequoia.app"  
16.7G   Install macOS Sequoia.app

$ open "Install macOS Sequoia.app"
# ✓ Opens successfully with proper icon and functionality

Testing

Tested successfully with:

• ✅ macOS Sequoia 15.0
• ✅ macOS Sequoia 15.1
• ✅ Various modern InstallAssistant.pkg formats

Test Command

sudo mist download installer "macOS Sequoia" application

Technical Details

Package Structure Analysis

Modern InstallAssistant.pkg files contain:

• Payload: CPIO archive with basic app bundle structure
• SharedSupport.dmg: HFS+ disk image with actual macOS installation files
• Scripts: Post-installation scripts (unused in our reconstruction)

Extraction Methods

The fix implements multiple extraction methods for the Payload file:

1. Standard CPIO - For uncompressed payloads
2. Gzipped CPIO - For compressed payloads
3. PAX archive - Alternative format used by some packages

Permission Fixes Applied

Based on proven manual process:

chown -R $(whoami):staff "Install macOS [Version].app"
chmod -R 755 "Install macOS [Version].app"
rm -rf "Install macOS [Version].app/Contents/_CodeSignature"
xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine "Install macOS [Version].app"

Impact

• ✅ Fixed modern macOS installer creation - Now creates proper 16GB functional installers
• ✅ Eliminated package path conflicts - No more “package not the same” errors
• ✅ Improved reliability - Direct download to stable location avoids permission issues
• ✅ Proper app structure - Includes correct executable, icon, and bundle structure
• ✅ Backward compatibility - Maintains support for older installer formats

Related Issues

Fixes the following error patterns:

• installer: Opened package is not the same at install time
• "Install macOS [Version]" is damaged and can't be opened
• Small installer apps missing actual macOS payload
• Missing installer icons and proper app structure

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Tested on: macOS 14.x, macOS 15.x
Affects: Modern macOS installer downloads (Sequoia+)
Priority: High - Core functionality fix

[fradamer-ops]

I'm currently seeing this issue. Is this fix slotted for the next build? Thanks in advance.

[eengstrom]

@fradamer-ops asked:

I'm currently seeing this issue. Is this fix slotted for the next build? Thanks in advance.

Ditto. Sounds like @tlsnine's fix is complete, awaiting an PR / merge? At the moment, not having the ability to pull a complete installer is stymieing our offline deployment procedures, so curious what the time-frame for the merge might be.

[JDUBZzz]

I have the issue too, any idea when the fix will be implemented?

[ninxsoft]

This should be fixed in #187 🚀