There are a few reasons why you lot might want to download and install old versions of macOS or Mac Os X. Perhaps yous are relying on software you have discovered doesn't work properly in the latest version. Or perchance you merely don't similar the new version of macOS that y'all have installed.

Another scenario is that you are a developer and you need to be running multiple versions of macOS and Mac OS 10 then that yous tin be certain that your software runs correctly on them. Either style, you have questions and we have answers.

In this article we will cover how to get old versions of macOS including Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and even old versions of Mac Os Ten. We explicate how to get agree of the relevant installer files so that you can install the software on your Mac.

We have a split up article that explains how to install old versions of macOS for when you get to that phase of the procedure.

If you are looking for a manner to revert to the previous version of macOS, we accept a more than specific commodity about downgrading from Monterey to Large Sur and other versions, although we exercise encompass the method here too. Nosotros also have a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

However, if you were hoping to run older versions of macOS on M1 Macs that's non possible.

Yous as well might want to get the installer for a version of macOS in social club to brand a bootable installer for installing macOS on multiple Macs (we also wait at that scenario separately).

Where tin I download old macOS?

Before y'all can install an older version of macOS or Mac OS Ten you lot will demand to go concord of the installer for the version of macOS you want to install. Luckily it is possible to gets hold of these files - equally long every bit yous know where to go along the Mac App Store.

We have the necessary links to the Mac App Store below. We will bear witness you a manner to get the following macOS installers:

  • macOS Large Sur
  • macOS Catalina
  • macOS Mojave
  • macOS High Sierra
  • macOS Sierra
  • OS X El Capitan
  • Os 10 Yosemite
  • Bone X Mavericks
  • Bone X Mountain Lion
  • Bone X Lion

*Note that we have discovered that the links we give beneath will only work if yous are surfing in Safari, so we suggest yous switch to Apple'due south browser before moving on. You should too close the Mac App Store app if y'all have that open up or the link may not work*

You won't be able to become the Mac Bone Ten Snow Leopard download this way, simply nosotros'll look at that later. In fact, nosotros tell you how to get copies of Leopard, King of beasts and Mount Panthera leo too!

We have a list of which Macs run which versions of macOS & Mac OS X.

How to download macOS Big Sur

You can download the installer for Big Sur from the Mac App Store - equally long every bit you know where to notice it - searching the Mac App Store will not work.

  • Click on this link which to open the Mac App Store on the Big Sur page. (Utilize Safari and make sure the Mac App Store app is closed kickoff or it might not piece of work).

Follow these steps to download Big Sur (or any other version of macOS) from the Mac App Store:

  1. Click this link to open up the Mac App Store on the Big Sur page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Somewhen a message "Are you sure you want to download macOS Big Sur" volition appear. It might look like an update rather than the total version, just y'all'll run across from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the consummate installer for Big Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded exercise not click Install. If you install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You lot should be able to find the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications binder, yous'll need this for the next steps, which we outline here: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Catalina

You can also download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Store - as long every bit you know the magic link.

  • Click on this link which will open the Mac App Store on the Catalina page. (Use Safari and make sure the Mac App Store app is closed starting time).

Catalina Mac App Store

Every bit above, follow these steps to download Catalina (or any other version of macOS) from the Mac App Store:

  1. Click this link to open the Mac App Shop on the Catalina folio.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you lot sure yous want to download macOS Catalina" volition appear. It might await like an update rather than the full version, but you'll see from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. Once the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you install information technology the installer volition automatically be deleted.
  5. You should be able to discover the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, you lot'll demand this for the next steps, which we outline here: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Mojave

It is too possible to access the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Annotation that as in a higher place, for this link to piece of work you need to be running Safari and yous demand to shut the Mac App Store app first. If the Mac App Shop app is open this redirect will non work.

  • Click on this link to open the Mac App Shop on the Mojave page.

Follow the steps in the department above to download information technology.

Download Mojave

How to download Loftier Sierra

It is besides possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Utilize Safari, shut the Mac App Store app first).

Follow the steps in the section higher up to download High Sierra.

How to download Sierra, El Capitan or Yosemite

Apple tree provides dmg files of these older macOS versions - you demand to download them in Safari. A deejay image named InstallOS.dmg will download and in one case it does you need to locate the pkg installer inside the disk image.

That Mac App Store link isn't working for me!

We've said above that in our experience usually the reason the in a higher place links don't piece of work is if you are browsing in something other than Safari, or if y'all take already got the Mac App Store open. However, if yous are even so finding that the link isn't working yous could endeavour the alternative methods below.

Another issue is if the link takes you to the correct page in the Mac App Store, simply y'all meet an Update not found error message when y'all try to download it. This is an outcome nosotros are aware of that others take encountered, although we haven't. In that example we propose you lot try to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

Yous may also see problems if you are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot support. Unremarkably when Apple tree introduces a new Mac it will non be able to run the version of macOS that shipped earlier the ane installed on that Mac. The older macOS might not back up sure components in that Mac, for example.

Detect out more about what version of macOS your Mac supports here: What version of macOS tin can my Mac run?

Other ways to become quondam macOS versions

If you are running an older version of macOS - or someone y'all know is - yous should be able to easily observe older versions of macOS and even Mac Bone X in the Mac App Store. How easy they are to notice will be adamant by the version of macOS running on that Mac.

Prior to macOS Mojave's arrival in 2018 the installers for the older macOS versions could be searched for or constitute via the Purchased tab (not that anyone has had to pay for a Mac Bone X update for years).

However, when Apple introduced Mojave the Mac App Store inverse, and these installers tin can no longer be searched for or institute in the purchased department of the store. (Although we do have redirect links in the section in a higher place to each of the relevant pages on the Mac App Store.)

If you happen to accept access to a Mac that'southward running an older version of macOS, log into the Mac App Store with your password and download the Mojave installer on that Mac. Alternatively ask a friend to download a copy of the installer from the Mac App Store for you. Nosotros run through this method in the department below.

Every bit to a higher place, once the installer has downloaded don't install it! If you do then the installer will be deleted. You'll notice the installer in your Applications binder from which yous tin copy on to your Mac - or create a bootable installer.

We've heard that it may be possible to download the installer via Terminal, yet we were unable to get that method to work.

You may too find updates to former version of macOS on Apple's website here, still these are just bespeak updates, rather than the full version, and then it won't be much help if you lot are trying to get the full download.

The one thing you really mustn't do is go to a torrent site and download a re-create of the Bone X you lot desire. Just considering Apple gives away its software for free, don't remember it's fine to just pick upwards a re-create. Pirated copies of Apple software could take been adjusted to let hackers access to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac OS X

If y'all have access to a Mac running OS X Yosemite or older information technology is possible to see old versions of Mac Bone X in the Mac App Shop. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mount Lion tin all be seen here.

It's worth noting that you'll only run across quondam versions of Mac OS X that y'all've downloaded under Purchased - if you never downloaded it (or if it was never on the Mac App Store), that version will not exist in your Purchased section. Another reason why the version of Mac Bone X might be missing is if your machine shipped with that version installed. We'll wait at that scenario later.

Here is how to become an older version of Mac OS X from the Mac App Store (this merely works if y'all've downloaded it in the past and information technology won't work if you lot have already installed Mojave or after):

  1. Open up the Mac App Store (choose Store > Sign In if you need to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Scroll downwardly to find the copy of OS X or macOS you want.
  4. Click Install.

Clicking Install won't actually install the software, but it volition download the installer awarding to your Applications folder.

Yous won't be able to simply install this older version of the operating system straight onto a Mac running a newer version of OS X or macOS. We volition explain how it can exist installed on a Mac - including 1 currently running an earlier operating system hither: How to install onetime Mac Bone X versions.

Can't notice Mac Os X in Purchased?

If you know you have previously downloaded the version of macOS you are later on, but y'all aren't seeing it in the Purchased section, there are a few things to try:

  1. Log out of the App Store then log in again.
  2. If it's a possibility that y'all downloaded it while logged in to a different Apple ID (perchance a work-related one), log in using that ID.
  3. Alternatively, find someone who has downloaded that version of the Mac operating system and enquire them to download the installation file for yous.

If you never downloaded the version of Mac OS 10 and so spring to footstep three and find a friendly person who did. Ask them to download the Mac OS X installer for you.

Luckily the copy of OS X isn't locked to their account and then it will install on any Mac.

How to go OS 10 King of beasts, Mountain King of beasts

Prior to June 2021 you lot could buy OS X 10.vii King of beasts or Mount Lion from Apple tree for £19.99 each - Apple would transport you lot a download code. At present Apple has stopped charging for the ageing operating system versions. Instead yous can download the operating systems directly from the company's website.

The operating systems can be downloaded from the post-obit links:

If it's Mac Bone X ten.7 Lion that you lot are later, it'south withal available for £19.99 here US or here UK. Apple will transport you a download code to use on the Mac App Store, and so you will need to be running Snow Leopard to install it.

If it'southward Bone X 10.8 Mountain Lion that y'all can still buy it for £19.99 here United states of america or here U.k..

We have more data well-nigh getting the free installers for Bone X Lion and Mountain Lion from Apple in Apple offers gratis downloads of Bone X Panthera leo and Mountain Lion.

Whether your Mac will actually run these operating systems is another question we address hither: Which versions of macOS tin my Mac run? Note that merely Macs that predate 2012 volition run King of beasts.

How to get Os X Snow Leopard

If your Mac has a version of macOS installed that is older than Snow Leopard you won't have access to the Mac App Store. Since for a number of years after Snow Leopard arrived all versions of Mac OS X arrived via the Mac App Store, those who never installed Snow Leopard had a problem: without Snow Leopard they couldn't update.

Until 2021 Apple still sold a boxed version of Mac OS Ten x.six Snow Leopard here for £19.99 (at its launch in 2009 it toll £25). If yous purchased Snow Leopard this way you were sent a concrete box containing an optical disc - and so you will need a CD/DVD drive to install it (which you volition probably have if the Mac is that old).

Apple has now removed the ability to buy Snow Leopard. Nevertheless, this isn't a large problem because those people who were previously locked out of updates tin can now download the King of beasts or Mountain Lion update, as explained in a higher place.

Get Snow Leopard

How to get Bone Ten Leopard or earlier

If the old version of the OS you are after predates Snowfall Leopard and yous have a developer business relationship you might exist able to get it from developer.apple.com/downloads. If you search within the Bone Ten category you should come across downloads for all versions of OS X, at to the lowest degree from version 10.3 to ten.vi.

You may exist able to access the Developer section of the website, merely y'all will simply be able to admission certain software downloads if your Apple ID is associated with a paid Apple Developer Program.

If you oasis't signed up equally a Apple Developer, detect out what that entails here. It costs £79 ($99) a year to join the Apple tree Developer Program and you have to sign a non disclosure understanding.

Y'all could likewise try looking on Amazon or eBay to see if anyone is selling former versions of the Mac operating arrangement. For case there's a Total Install of OS X Lion available for £8.fifty on Amazon here.

If it's Tiger you are subsequently, then information technology will cost a footling more than. There was a re-create of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 but it'south currently unavailable.

How to download Mac OS X Mountain Lion, Snow Leopard and older Mac software