Download Mac Updates Once and Install on Multiple Computers

Mac OS X updates are huge with the installation files running into several gigabytes. The same is true for Mac apps like iMovie or Microsoft Office that have massive installers. The problem is compounded when you own multiple Mac computers and you need to upgrade them all to the latest OS X update. It will not just take too much time but you may end up consuming your monthly download bandwidth

A simple and obvious workaround to the problem is that you download the installer files on one Mac machine and then transfer the downloaded apps to all your other systems through AirDrop or WiFi. The Apple website says that “Apps [downloaded] from the Mac App Store may be used on any Macs that you own or control for your personal use.” This is however easier said than done.

Install Mac OS X Updates on Multiple Macs

You download a 5 GB Mac OS X installer from the App Store, the machine restarts, your system is upgraded to Mac OS X Yosemite or El Capitan but wait, where has the installer disappeared? Your Mac, in a bid to save space, deletes the original installer automatically after the upgrade and thus you cannot reuse it on other machines.

To get around the problem, after the installer has downloaded, quit the installation routine and do not restart the machine. Go to the ~/Applications folder on your Mac, find the installer file and Option+Drag it to another folder like ~/Downloads to make a copy that will stay even after the machine is restarted.

For minor updates, like OS X 10.10.8 or 10.10.9 updates, Apple releases standalone installers as .dmg files that you can download once and install on multiple machines. The releases are available as incremental updates (containing only changed files) or combo updates (all changed files since the last major release).

A simple Google search for “download mac ox x 10.10. combo” will reveal the direct download links for the .dmg files on the Apple support website.

Install Mac Apps from the App Store

In the case of apps downloaded from the Mac App Store, you’ll find the .app files in your /Applications or /Users/username/Applications folder that you can easily copy to your other Mac machines. Internally though, the App Store downloads the installer as a package file (with a .pkg extension) and this will not reside in the Applications folder but in a separate hidden folder.

You can grab these Installer Package files and install the same Mac app on other machines without having to download it again thus saving data. To get started, open terminal on your Mac and run the following command to know where the App Store has downloaded the installer files:

defaults write com.apple.appstore ShowDebugMenu -bool true

Now open the Mac App Store app and you’ll see a new Debug menu (see screenshot). Click the “Show Download Folder” menu and it will open the location of the download folder inside Finder where the Mac apps are temporarily download. You can find the .pkg files inside one of the sub folders that you copy to your other Mac systems via Airdrop.

[Bonus Tip] If you are upgrading to a new version of Mac OS X, like the upcoming El Capitan, press Cmd+L at the installation screen and it will open the installation log so you know what’s exactly happening behind the scene.

How To Create a Bootable USB Installer for OS X El Capitan

This procedure explains how to create an installation key for Mac OS X El Capitan using a USB key. This method will work for OS X El Capitan, Yosemite, Mavericks, and Mountain Lion updates. 

How To Make an El Capitan Install Drive with a USB

El Capitan Information Pages on Apple.com

Before beginning, you may want to familiarize yourself with the upgrade process, and hardware requirements necessary for the El Capitan installation. 

Pre-Requisites for the El Capitan Update

There are several prerequisites necessary for a successful installment of El Capitan. A list of requirements for the compatible models can be found below.

Compatible Macs

MacBook (released early 2015), MacBook (aluminum series released late 2008 - early 2009 or later), 
MacBook Pro (released mid/late 2007 or newer models), 
MacBook Air (released late 2008 or newer models), 
Mac Mini (released early 2009 or newer models), 
Mac (released mid 2007 or newer models), 
Mac Pro (released early 2008 or newer), 
Xserve (released early 2009). 

Requirements

OS X 10.6.8 or later, 2GB of RAM (minimum), 
8GB of storage space, 
Some features require an Apple ID, 
Some features require a compatible Internet service provider; extra charges may apply. 

STEP 1: Download El Capitan

Launch the Apple App Store, and sign-in using your iCloud account. Click on OS X El Capitan >Download to begin the download process. The El Capitan download will utilize about 6GB of space. 

Once the installation package has been downloaded, it will launch automatically. Do not click onContinue. 

You may quit the installation by clicking on the Install OS X menu > Quit Install OS X. Leave the installation package (Install OS X El Capitan) in the Applications folder, and proceed to the next step. 

STEP 2: Prepare the USB Installation

You will need a blank 8GB USB key. Connect the USB key to your Mac and launch the Disk Utilitylocated in Applications > Utilities. Select your USB drive (not its existing partition, but the physical key itself). Click on Partition Layout and select 1 partition. Next, select the Optionbutton, making sure that GUID Partition Table is selected. Click OK. 

Select Mac OS Extended (Journaled) as the default format for the drive. Rename your USB key to something more significant (e.g. elcapitan) and make a note of it somewhere. You will need the exact name for a terminal command in STEP 3. 

Click on Apply > OK. 

STEP 3: Creating the Installation Key

Launch the Terminal application located in Applications > Utilities and type the below command: 

sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/e/name_of_USB --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app --nointeraction 

Replace name_of_USB with the name you have chosen for your USB key. 

Confirm with the Enter key, and type your administrator password when prompted. Let the process unfold until the Terminal window says Done. 

Your OS X El Capitan installation USB key is now ready. 

Updating from OS X Snow Leopard and Leopard

Additional steps are required when updating from Snow Leopard (Mac OS X 10.6.x). 

Click on the Apple menu > Update software. Update to Mac OS X 10.6.8 before downloading El Capitan from the App Store. 

Unfortunately, El Capitan will install directly onto your Mac. You will need to download it once more to get the installation package (installer). If you have Leopard (Mac OS 10.5) and would like to upgrade to El Capitan, you must first purchase and install OS X Snow Leopard. 

Remarks

This method creates a USB key called Install OS X El Capitan. The key contains an installer (installation package) named as Install OS X El Capitan. To perform an installation from the USB key, connect it to your Mac and then boot the key while holding the Alt key down. Boot from the USB key and then follow the onscreen procedure to install the new operating system. 

N.B. If at any point the installation procedure seems to stall, just let it be. Despite appearances, the installation procedure is likely just working slowly.

How to Prevent Safari from Opening Downloaded Files

Safari automatically opens downloaded files it considers as Safe. It may include compressed files, PDF, pictures, videos and other type of files downloaded from trusted sources. But what if a virus or malware was hidden in one of these so-called safe files? You might want to turn off this feature (enabled by default) for your own good. 

Method 1 - From Safari's settings

Launch Safari, click on the Safari menu > Preferences. Go to the General tab and clear the Open "safe" files after downloading checkbox. 

Method 2 - Using the terminal

Open a terminal and run the following command: defaults write com.apple.Safari AutoOpenSafeDownloads -boolean NO

iOS - How to copy a link from the address bar of Safari

Here's how to copy a link from the address of the Safari web browser on you iPhone or iPad. The procedure is simple and straight forward:

• Open the Safari and go to the webpage of your choice.
• Tap briefly on the link you want to copy > Select All

• Tap on Copy.

• That's it the URL has been copied to your clipboard.

To paste the link:

• Tap briefly in any text field > Paste.