---
title: "Install DMG Files using Shell Script"
slug: "install-dmg-files-using-shell-script"
description: "Discover how to install .dmg files on macOS devices using shell scripts with Scalefusion. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for script creation and .dmg file deployment."
updated: 2024-09-05T09:45:31Z
published: 2024-09-05T09:45:31Z
canonical: "help.scalefusion.com/install-dmg-files-using-shell-script"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.scalefusion.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Install DMG Files using Shell Script

Scalefusion offers support to distribute Apple VPP apps and PKG (product archive packages) natively using the Dashboard. Most Enterprise apps use either of the above mechanisms for distribution in an enterprise scenario. However, there might be certain cases where the developer has made the installer available in the form of a **DMG** (Disk Image File).

In such cases where only a **DMG file is** available, IT Admins can use the script described below and deploy it via Scalefusion MDM agent to remotely install the DMG. Please follow the steps below to use this method.

Note:

1. This method uses a script to install the DMG file; though Scalefusion has tested these scripts, please validate the scripts on a test machine before deploying them on all your managed devices.
2. Scalefusion will not be responsible for any loss of data or system malfunction that may arise due to the usage of these scripts

## Prerequisites

1. Deploy [Scalefusion MDM Agent](/docs/scalefusion-mdm-agent-application-for-mac-devices).
2. Scalefusion subscription plan with access to Content ManagementDMG files that wrap a PKG file that, when extracted, contains a PKG file cannot be distributed by this mechanism. We suggest to use the PKG file directly in such cases.

## Step 1: Generate a Download URL for the DMG file

The first step is to generate a download URL for the DMG file that needs to be installed. You can use any of your servers (if you have one already) or a storage provider like Amazon S3 or Cloudflare R2 to upload your DMG and generate a public download URL.

In case you don't have a storage provider that you use, you can also use **Scalefusion's Content Management** to upload your DMG files and obtain a DMG URL. Follow the steps below to upload the file to Scalefusion's content management and generate the download URL,

1. Navigate to **Content Management > Content** and click **Upload** File to upload the DMG.![](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/image%20-%202023-09-08T154634.287.png)
2. Wait for the DMG file to be uploaded and to appear in the list of files. Once the file appears, click on the file to view the file details window.![](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/image%20-%202023-09-08T154655.729.png)
3. Click on the 3 dots, and from the menu, select **Copy Download Link![](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/image%20-%202023-09-08T154718.215.png)**
4. Now you can open TextEdit (or any text editor) on your Mac/PC and paste the copied URL to your local machine. The URL would look like below,URLURL 

```custom
https://mobilock.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/mobile_file/content/5947/rustdesk-1.1.9.dmg
```

## Step 2: Create the Script

1. Create a file on your Mac, for example, **download_install_dmg.sh** and open it to a text editor of your choice like **TextEdit**
2. Copy the contents below.ShellShell 

```shell
#!/bin/bash

# Insert the DMG download url below
DownloadUrl="DMG_download_url"

##### DONOT EDIT BELOW CODE #####

regex='^https.*.dmg$'
if [[ $DownloadUrl =~ $regex ]]; then
    echo "URL points to direct DMG download"
    validLink="True"
else
    echo "Searching headers for download links"
    urlHead=$(curl -s --head "$DownloadUrl")
    locationSearch=$(echo "$urlHead" | grep https:)
    if [ -n "$locationSearch" ]; then
        locationRaw=$(echo "$locationSearch" | awk '{print $2}')
        locationFormatted="$(echo "${locationRaw}" | tr -d '[:space:]')"
        regex='^https.*'
        if [[ $locationFormatted =~ $regex ]]; then
            echo "Download link found"
            DownloadUrl="$locationFormatted"
        else
            echo "No https location download link found in headers"
            exit 1
        fi
    else
        echo "No location download link found in headers"
        exit 1
    fi
fi
# Create Temp Folder
DATE=$(date '+%Y-%m-%d-%H-%M-%S')
TempFolder="Download-$DATE"
mkdir -p "/tmp/$TempFolder"
# Navigate to Temp Folder
cd "/tmp/$TempFolder" || exit
# Download File into Temp Folder
curl -s -O "$DownloadUrl"
# Capture name of Download File
DownloadFile="$(ls)"
echo "Downloaded $DownloadFile to /tmp/$TempFolder"
# Verify DMG File
regex='\.dmg$'
if [[ $DownloadFile =~ $regex ]]; then
    DMGFile="$DownloadFile"
    echo "DMG File Found: $DMGFile"
else
    echo "File: $DownloadFile is not a DMG"
    rm -r "/tmp/$TempFolder"
    echo "Deleted /tmp/$TempFolder"
    exit 1
fi
# Mount DMG File (-nobrowse prevents the volume from popping up in Finder)
hdiutilAttach=$(hdiutil attach "/tmp/$TempFolder/$DMGFile" -nobrowse)
echo "Used hdiutil to mount $DMGFile"
err=$?
if [ ${err} -ne 0 ]; then
    echo "Could not mount $DMGFile Error: ${err}"
    rm -r "/tmp/$TempFolder"
    echo "Deleted /tmp/$TempFolder"
    exit 1
fi
regex='\/Volumes\/.*'
if [[ $hdiutilAttach =~ $regex ]]; then
    DMGVolume="${BASH_REMATCH[0]}"
    echo "Located DMG Volume: $DMGVolume"
else
    echo "DMG Volume not found"
    rm -r "/tmp/$TempFolder"
    echo "Deleted /tmp/$TempFolder"
    exit 1
fi
# Identify the mount point for the DMG file
DMGMountPoint=$(hdiutil info | grep "$DMGVolume" | awk '{ print $1 }')
echo "Located DMG Mount Point: $DMGMountPoint"
# Capture name of App file
cd "$DMGVolume" || exit
AppName=$(ls | grep '.app')
cd ~ || exit
echo "Located App: $AppName"
# Test to ensure App is not already installed
ExistingSearch=$(find "/Applications/" -name "$AppName" -depth 1)
if [ -n "$ExistingSearch" ]; then
    echo "$AppName already present in /Applications folder"
    hdiutil detach "$DMGMountPoint"
    echo "Used hdiutil to detach $DMGFile from $DMGMountPoint"
    rm -r "/tmp/$TempFolder"
    echo "Deleted /tmp/$TempFolder"
    exit 1
else
    echo "$AppName not present in /Applications folder"
fi
DMGAppPath=$(find "$DMGVolume" -name "*.app" -depth 1)
# Copy the contents of the DMG file to /Applications/
# Preserves all file attributes and ACLs
cp -pPR "$DMGAppPath" /Applications/
err=$?
if [ ${err} -ne 0 ]; then
    echo "Could not copy $DMGAppPath Error: ${err}"
    hdiutil detach "$DMGMountPoint"
    echo "Used hdiutil to detach $DMGFile from $DMGMountPoint"
    rm -r "/tmp/$TempFolder"
    echo "Deleted /tmp/$TempFolder"
    exit 1
fi
echo "Copied $DMGAppPath to /Applications"
# Unmount the DMG file
hdiutil detach "$DMGMountPoint"
echo "Used hdiutil to detach $DMGFile from $DMGMountPoint"
err=$?
if [ ${err} -ne 0 ]; then
    echo "Could not detach DMG: $DMGMountPoint Error: ${err}"
fi
# Remove Temp Folder and download
rm -r "/tmp/$TempFolder"
echo "Deleted /tmp/$TempFolder"
```
3. Now replace the phrase "DMG_download_url" with the download URL generated in Step 1.ShellShell 

```shell
# Insert the DMG download url below
DownloadUrl="DMG_download_url"
```
4. Save the file on your Mac.

## Step 3: Deploy the Script

Please use our help document on [deploying scripts on macOS devices](/docs/execute-shell-scripts-on-macos-devices-with-scalefusion) to upload and publish the script to your managed Mac devices. For easy reference, here are the steps,

1. Navigate to **Application Management > Enterprise Store**& upload the script as shown below,![](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/image%20-%202023-09-08T155036.622.png)
  1. E**nter Script Name:** Enter a name for the script file
  2. **Upload Script File:** Upload the script file created in Step 2
  3. **Run Script as signed-in user:** Select **Yes** from the dropdown
  4. Click **Save**
2. Now you can **Publish** the script to the device profiles where you want to install this application.![](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/image%20-%202023-09-08T155128.975.png)
3. Once the script has been deployed, you can **View Status**- from the side panel that appears once you click on the uploaded script file. Here are sample screenshots,
  1. **Successful Installation**![](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/image%20-%202023-09-08T155210.173.png)
  2. **Invalid Download URL**![](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/image%20-%202023-09-08T155212.194.png)
  3. **Failed to Install DMG File**![](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/image%20-%202023-09-08T155215.150.png)

If you would like to install a DMG from a local file on the managed device, Download the script [here](https://cdn.document360.io/175c0eac-012f-4410-bdc5-ac60794f82d8/Images/Documentation/install%20a%20DMG%20from%20a%20local%20file.txt) and replace the ENTER_PATH_NAME phrase with the path of the local file on the managed Mac device.