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.

seems like there is no option to convert dmg in Dick Utility anymore.
why pay for an app or use closed source trial just to create dmg files?
the stupidity of mac lol

seems like there is no option to convert dmg in Dick Utility anymore. why pay for an app or use closed source trial just to create dmg files? the stupidity of mac lol

Not exactly sure of the ask about "option to convert dmg", but if you can mount the "image" and then use Disk Utility to create a DMG from it should work. The option to create a DMG is still there, at least on macOS Sequoia (15.x). File > New Image > ... this will create a new DMG either a blank on or from folder or a mounted volume, if I believe it has a compatible file system format.