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

Another scenario is that you are a developer and yous need to exist running multiple versions of macOS and Mac OS X and so that you tin be sure that your software runs correctly on them. Either way, you take questions and we have answers.

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

We have a separate commodity that explains how to install old versions of macOS for when yous get to that stage of the process.

If you are looking for a way to revert to the previous version of macOS, nosotros have a more specific article nigh downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although nosotros practice cover the method hither too. We also accept a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

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

You besides 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 look at that scenario separately).

Where can I download sometime macOS?

Earlier you can install an older version of macOS or Mac Bone X y'all volition demand to get hold of the installer for the version of macOS you want to install. Luckily it is possible to gets hold of these files - as long as you lot know where to keep the Mac App Store.

We accept the necessary links to the Mac App Store below. We volition show you a fashion to get the following macOS installers:

  • macOS Big Sur
  • macOS Catalina
  • macOS Mojave
  • macOS Loftier Sierra
  • macOS Sierra
  • OS X El Capitan
  • Os X Yosemite
  • Bone X Mavericks
  • OS 10 Mount Panthera leo
  • Os X Lion

*Notation that we take discovered that the links we give beneath volition but work if yous are surfing in Safari, so we suggest you switch to Apple's browser before moving on. Yous should likewise close the Mac App Store app if you have that open or the link may not piece of work*

Y'all won't be able to become the Mac OS X Snow Leopard download this style, just we'll await at that later. In fact, nosotros tell you how to get copies of Leopard, Lion and Mount Panthera leo besides!

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

How to download macOS Large Sur

You can download the installer for Big Sur from the Mac App Shop - equally long as you lot know where to discover it - searching the Mac App Store volition not work.

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

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

  1. Click this link to open the Mac App Store on the Large Sur page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update volition open up with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you lot sure you want to download macOS Large Sur" volition announced. It might look similar an update rather than the full version, merely yous'll see from the size of the download (effectually 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Big Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded practice not click Install. If you install information technology the installer will automatically exist deleted.
  5. You lot should exist able to discover the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications folder, you'll need this for the next steps, which we outline hither: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Catalina

You tin also download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Store - as long as you lot know the magic link.

  • Click on this link which will open the Mac App Store on the Catalina folio. (Employ Safari and brand certain the Mac App Store app is airtight first).

Catalina Mac App Store

As to a higher place, follow these steps to download Catalina (or whatsoever other version of macOS) from the Mac App Store:

  1. Click this link to open the Mac App Store on the Catalina page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a bulletin "Are yous sure you desire to download macOS Catalina" will appear. It might look like an update rather than the full version, but you'll meet 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 y'all install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You should be able to detect the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications binder, you'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 Mojave

It is too possible to access the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Annotation that every bit above, for this link to piece of work yous need to be running Safari and you demand to close the Mac App Shop app kickoff. If the Mac App Shop app is open this redirect volition not work.

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

Follow the steps in the section above to download it.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

It is also possible to download Loftier Sierra via this link. (Apply Safari, shut the Mac App Store app first).

Follow the steps in the section above to download High Sierra.

How to download Sierra, El Capitan or Yosemite

Apple tree provides dmg files of these older macOS versions - yous need to download them in Safari. A disk image named InstallOS.dmg volition download and once it does you need to locate the pkg installer inside the disk prototype.

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

We've said above that in our experience commonly the reason the in a higher place links don't work is if y'all are browsing in something other than Safari, or if you have already got the Mac App Store open up. Nonetheless, if you are however finding that the link isn't working you could endeavour the alternative methods below.

Another event is if the link takes you to the right folio in the Mac App Store, but you come across an Update non found mistake message when you lot endeavour to download information technology. This is an upshot we are aware of that others have encountered, although we haven't. In that case we propose yous endeavour to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

You may also encounter issues if yous are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot support. Commonly when Apple tree introduces a new Mac it will not be able to run the version of macOS that shipped before the 1 installed on that Mac. The older macOS might not support certain components in that Mac, for case.

Find out more near what version of macOS your Mac supports here: What version of macOS can my Mac run?

Other ways to become quondam macOS versions

If you are running an older version of macOS - or someone you know is - you should exist able to easily discover older versions of macOS and even Mac Os Ten in the Mac App Shop. How easy they are to discover will be determined past 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 Os 10 update for years).

However, when Apple introduced Mojave the Mac App Store changed, and these installers tin can no longer exist searched for or plant in the purchased section of the store. (Although we practise have redirect links in the section above to each of the relevant pages on the Mac App Store.)

If yous happen to accept admission to a Mac that's 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 lot. We run through this method in the department below.

As higher up, once the installer has downloaded don't install it! If you exercise then the installer will be deleted. You'll discover the installer in your Applications folder from which you tin copy on to your Mac - or create a bootable installer.

Nosotros've heard that it may be possible to download the installer via Final, even so we were unable to get that method to work.

Y'all may also discover updates to erstwhile version of macOS on Apple'south website here, nonetheless these are just point updates, rather than the full version, and so it won't be much help if you are trying to become the full download.

The i matter y'all really mustn't do is go to a torrent site and download a re-create of the Bone X you want. Just because Apple gives away its software for free, don't think it's fine to only selection up a copy. Pirated copies of Apple software could take been adjusted to allow hackers admission to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac OS X

If yous have access to a Mac running Bone Ten Yosemite or older it is possible to run into old versions of Mac OS X in the Mac App Shop. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mount Lion can all be seen here.

It's worth noting that yous'll merely meet quondam versions of Mac Os 10 that you've downloaded under Purchased - if you never downloaded it (or if it was never on the Mac App Shop), that version will not be in your Purchased section. Another reason why the version of Mac OS X might be missing is if your motorcar shipped with that version installed. Nosotros'll look at that scenario later.

Here is how to get an older version of Mac OS 10 from the Mac App Store (this but works if you've downloaded it in the past and information technology won't piece of work if you have already installed Mojave or later):

  1. Open the Mac App Shop (choose Shop > Sign In if you demand to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Scroll down to discover the re-create of OS X or macOS you desire.
  4. Click Install.

Clicking Install won't really install the software, only it will download the installer awarding to your Applications folder.

You won't be able to only install this older version of the operating system directly onto a Mac running a newer version of OS X or macOS. We volition explain how it tin exist installed on a Mac - including ane currently running an earlier operating system here: How to install quondam Mac OS X versions.

Tin can't detect Mac Bone X in Purchased?

If y'all know you accept previously downloaded the version of macOS you are afterwards, just you lot aren't seeing it in the Purchased section, there are a few things to try:

  1. Log out of the App Shop then log in again.
  2. If it'due south a possibility that you lot downloaded it while logged in to a different Apple tree ID (perhaps 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 you.

If you never downloaded the version of Mac Os X then jump to step three and find a friendly person who did. Ask them to download the Mac Os Ten installer for you.

Luckily the re-create of OS Ten isn't locked to their account so information technology will install on whatever Mac.

How to get OS X Lion, Mountain King of beasts

Prior to June 2021 you could buy Bone Ten ten.7 Lion or Mount Lion from Apple tree for £19.99 each - Apple tree would transport y'all a download code. At present Apple has stopped charging for the ageing operating arrangement versions. Instead you can download the operating systems direct from the company's website.

The operating systems can be downloaded from the following links:

If it's Mac OS X ten.7 Lion that y'all are after, information technology's withal available for £19.99 hither Us or here UK. Apple tree volition ship you lot a download code to use on the Mac App Store, so you will demand to be running Snow Leopard to install it.

If it's OS X ten.eight Mountain King of beasts that you can still purchase it for £xix.99 hither U.s.a. or here UK.

Nosotros have more information about getting the free installers for OS Ten King of beasts and Mountain Lion from Apple in Apple tree offers free downloads of OS X Lion and Mountain Lion.

Whether your Mac will actually run these operating systems is some other question we address here: Which versions of macOS can my Mac run? Note that but Macs that predate 2012 will run Lion.

How to get Bone 10 Snow Leopard

If your Mac has a version of macOS installed that is older than Snowfall Leopard you won't have access to the Mac App Store. Since for a number of years later on Snow Leopard arrived all versions of Mac Bone 10 arrived via the Mac App Shop, those who never installed Snowfall Leopard had a trouble: without Snowfall Leopard they couldn't update.

Until 2021 Apple still sold a boxed version of Mac Os 10 10.6 Snow Leopard here for £nineteen.99 (at its launch in 2009 it price £25). If you purchased Snow Leopard this manner yous were sent a physical box containing an optical disc - so you volition need a CD/DVD bulldoze to install it (which you volition probably accept if the Mac is that old).

Apple tree has now removed the ability to purchase Snow Leopard. However, this isn't a big trouble because those people who were previously locked out of updates can now download the Lion or Mount Panthera leo update, every bit explained above.

Get Snow Leopard

How to go OS X Leopard or before

If the former version of the Os y'all are after predates Snow Leopard and you have a developer business relationship y'all might be able to get information technology from developer.apple tree.com/downloads. If yous search inside the OS X category you lot should meet downloads for all versions of Os Ten, at to the lowest degree from version x.3 to 10.vi.

You may be able to admission the Developer department of the website, but you volition just be able to admission certain software downloads if your Apple tree ID is associated with a paid Apple Developer Program.

If y'all haven't signed upward equally a Apple tree Developer, find out what that entails here. Information technology costs £79 ($99) a yr to join the Apple tree Developer Program and you have to sign a non disclosure agreement.

Yous could also try looking on Amazon or eBay to run into if anyone is selling old versions of the Mac operating system. For example at that place'south a Full Install of OS X Lion bachelor for £eight.50 on Amazon here.

If it's Tiger yous are later on, so information technology volition price a little more. There was a copy of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 simply it'due south currently unavailable.

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