Once you have successfully downloaded your legitimate , here is how to use it to create a bootable USB drive.

The system will download the full installer to your Applications folder. From there, you can right-click > "Show Package Contents" > Contents/SharedSupport/ to find the SharedSupport.dmg – which is the true installation image.

Downloading a file is a common task for users looking to perform a "clean install," set up a virtual machine, or create a bootable USB drive. macOS Big Sur (version 11) marked a significant shift for Apple, introducing a redesigned interface and support for the first Apple Silicon chips.