How to create a "DMG Installer" for Mac OS X

HOWTODMG.md

Creating a "DMG installer" for OS X

A DMG Installer is convenient way to provide end-users a simple way to install an application bundle. They are basically a folder with a shortcut to the Applications directory but they can be customized with icons, backgrounds, and layout properties. A DMG file (.dmg) is a Mac OS X Disk Image file and it is used to package files or folders providing compression, encryption, and read-only to the package.

##Creating the DMG file #Disk Utility Type Disk Utility into Spotlite CMD+SPACEBAR from Finder or from Terminal:

open /Applications/Utilities/Disk\ Utility.app/

File -> New -> Disk Image from Folder or CMD+SHIFT+N

Select the folder myapp.app/ when prompted then click Image.

In the Save As field enter a name for the file like myapp.dmg.

From the Image Format drop-down select read/write then click Save.

#Edit Folder Preferences Mount the dmg and open it by double-clicking the file in Finder or from Terminal:

open myapp.dmg
open /Volumes/myapp/

Create a link/shortcut to /Applications folder by right-clicking on the Applications folder and selecting Make Alias then drag it into the dmg folder or from Terminal:

cd /Volumes/myapp/
ln -s /Applications Applications

In Finder press CMD+1 to switch to icon view and arrange icons as needed.

Press CMD+J to show the View Options window and adjust view settings as needed.

From Background: section choose Picture then Drag and drop the image you want to use as the background where it says Drag image here.

Unmount/Eject the dmg when finished with View Options or from Terminal:

umount /Volumes/myapp/

#Compress and convert to Read-only From Disk Utility right-click on myapp.dmg disk image and select Convert "myapp.dmg".

In the Save As field enter a new name for the file like myappfinal.dmg.

From the Image Formate drop-down select read-only then click Save or from Terminal:

hdiutil convert -format UDZO -o myappfinal.dmg myapp.dmg

#FIN Congratulations you are finished! Mount the new dmg to verify it is working properly.

Using macOS Catalina 10.15.3 + Disk Utility version 19.0

Trying to create dmg for '/Users/me/Desktop/myapp.app' folder.

In Disk Utility
File - New Image - Image from Folder
I can select Desktop but myapp.app folder is greyed out and cannot be selected.

Tried chmod 777 myapp.app but that did not help.

Advice greatly appreciated.

Hey @BlindMan64, I found the same issue. Solved it by creating a directory to hold the app.

Hey @BlindMan64, I found the same issue. Solved it by creating a directory to hold the app.

Thanks @sysulzh.

'/Users/me/Desktop/myapp/myapp.app' allowed me to create dmg for '/Users/me/Desktop/myapp/'.

I also used https://www.araelium.com/dmgcanvas which made creation of dmg very easy.

Just a note that your markdown titles are not showing up correctly because there are spaces missing after the pound signs.

Otherwise, very helpful. I really appreciate your publishing this document.

The DropDMG app is one of the best ways (I have personally used it for a long time) for creating dmg files for this purpose and in general.