Create macOS 12.0.1 bootable ISO

Introduction

First, we need to download the installer, then we need to create a .dng install media, and then we need to convert that to an ISO image.

Download the installer

softwareupdate --fetch-full-installer --full-installer-version 12.0.1

Create the image

First, create a file-backed volume and mount it:

hdiutil create -o /tmp/macOS-12.0.1 -size 14000m -volname macOS-12.0.1 -layout SPUD -fs HFS+J
hdiutil attach /tmp/macOS-12.0.1.dmg -nobrowse -noverify -mountpoint /Volumes/macOS-12.0.1

Then format it again, yes, this seems to be required:

diskutil eraseDisk JHFS+ macOS-12.0.1 disk2

Then we can create the bootable image:

sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Monterey.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/macOS-12.0.1 --nointeraction

Detach it, notice the different volume name:

hdiutil detach /Volumes/Install\ macOS\ Monterey/

And convert it to ISO:

hdiutil convert /tmp/macOS-12.0.1.dmg -format UDTO -o macOS-12.0.1.cdr
mv macOS-12.0.1.cdr macOS-12.0.1.iso

No, it can't be done in a single step. After this, you can use this ISO in VMware. Don't forget to clean up:

rm -r /tmp/macOS-12.0.1.dmg

References

• How to create a bootable installer for macOS