There are a few reasons why you might want to download and install old versions of macOS or Mac Os X. Perhaps you lot are relying on software you have discovered doesn't work properly in the latest version. Or maybe you lot simply 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 so that you tin can exist certain that your software runs correctly on them. Either manner, 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 sometime versions of Mac OS X. We explain how to get concur of the relevant installer files and then that you tin install the software on your Mac.

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

If y'all are looking for a mode to revert to the previous version of macOS, we accept a more than specific article well-nigh downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although we do cover the method here as well. Nosotros also accept a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

Even so, if yous were hoping to run older versions of macOS on M1 Macs that's not possible.

You also might desire to become the installer for a version of macOS in order to make a bootable installer for installing macOS on multiple Macs (we also wait at that scenario separately).

Where can I download old macOS?

Earlier you can install an older version of macOS or Mac Bone Ten y'all will demand to become concur of the installer for the version of macOS you want to install. Luckily it is possible to gets agree of these files - equally long as you lot know where to go along the Mac App Store.

We have the necessary links to the Mac App Store beneath. We will show you lot a way to get the post-obit macOS installers:

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

*Note that we have discovered that the links we give beneath will simply piece of work if you are surfing in Safari, then we suggest you switch to Apple's browser earlier moving on. You should also close the Mac App Store app if you accept that open or the link may non work*

You won't be able to get the Mac OS 10 Snow Leopard download this way, merely we'll look at that subsequently. In fact, we tell you how to become copies of Leopard, Lion and Mount Panthera leo too!

We have a listing of which Macs run which versions of macOS & Mac OS Ten.

How to download macOS Large Sur

You can download the installer for Large Sur from the Mac App Store - as long as you know where to detect 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. (Use Safari and make sure the Mac App Store app is airtight first 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 the Mac App Store on the Large Sur page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update volition open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you certain yous want to download macOS Large Sur" will announced. It might expect similar an update rather than the full version, but yous'll see from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the consummate installer for Large Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded practise not click Install. If you install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You should exist able to find the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications folder, you'll need this for the adjacent steps, which we outline here: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Catalina

Y'all can likewise download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Store - equally long as you lot know the magic link.

  • Click on this link which will open the Mac App Store on the Catalina page. (Utilize Safari and make certain the Mac App Store app is closed offset).

Catalina Mac App Store

As 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 page.
  2. Click on Become.
  3. Software Update volition open up with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a bulletin "Are y'all certain you want to download macOS Catalina" will appear. It might look like an update rather than the full version, only 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 exercise non click Install. If y'all install it the installer will automatically exist deleted.
  5. You should be able to find the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, 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 likewise possible to admission the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Shop. Note that as above, for this link to piece of work you demand to exist running Safari and you demand to close the Mac App Store app start. If the Mac App Store app is open this redirect volition not piece of work.

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

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

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

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

Follow the steps in the section to a higher place to download High Sierra.

How to download Sierra, El Capitan or Yosemite

Apple provides dmg files of these older macOS versions - you demand to download them in Safari. A disk epitome named InstallOS.dmg will download and one time information technology does you need to locate the pkg installer inside the disk epitome.

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

We've said above that in our feel usually the reason the higher up links don't work is if you lot are browsing in something other than Safari, or if y'all accept already got the Mac App Store open up. However, if y'all are all the same finding that the link isn't working you could endeavour the alternative methods below.

Another event is if the link takes you to the correct folio in the Mac App Store, just you lot meet an Update not found error message when you try to download information technology. This is an issue we are aware of that others have encountered, although we oasis't. In that example we propose you lot try to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

You may besides meet bug if you are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot support. Usually when Apple introduces a new Mac it will not be able to run the version of macOS that shipped before the one installed on that Mac. The older macOS might non support certain components in that Mac, for instance.

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

Other ways to get old macOS versions

If you lot are running an older version of macOS - or someone you know is - you should exist able to easily observe older versions of macOS and fifty-fifty Mac OS 10 in the Mac App Store. How like shooting fish in a barrel they are to detect will be determined by the version of macOS running on that Mac.

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

Still, when Apple tree introduced Mojave the Mac App Store changed, and these installers can no longer be searched for or establish in the purchased section of the shop. (Although we exercise have redirect links in the section above to each of the relevant pages on the Mac App Store.)

If you 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 yous. We run through this method in the section beneath.

As above, once the installer has downloaded don't install it! If you exercise so the installer will be deleted. Yous'll find the installer in your Applications folder from which you can copy on to your Mac - or create a bootable installer.

Nosotros've heard that it may exist possible to download the installer via Terminal, however we were unable to get that method to work.

You may also notice updates to one-time version of macOS on Apple'due south website here, however these are simply point updates, rather than the total version, and so it won't exist much help if you are trying to go the full download.

The ane thing you actually mustn't practise is go to a torrent site and download a copy of the Bone X you want. Just because Apple tree gives away its software for free, don't recollect it's fine to only pick upward a copy. Pirated copies of Apple software could have been adjusted to allow hackers access to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac Bone Ten

If you have access to a Mac running OS X Yosemite or older information technology is possible to run into former versions of Mac OS X in the Mac App Store. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mountain Lion can all be seen hither.

It's worth noting that yous'll only see old versions of Mac OS X that you've downloaded under Purchased - if yous never downloaded information technology (or if information technology was never on the Mac App Shop), that version volition non exist in your Purchased section. Another reason why the version of Mac OS Ten might be missing is if your machine shipped with that version installed. We'll look at that scenario afterwards.

Here is how to become an older version of Mac OS X from the Mac App Shop (this just works if you've downloaded it in the past and it won't work if you accept already installed Mojave or afterward):

  1. Open the Mac App Store (choose Store > Sign In if you need to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Coil down 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 application 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 10 or macOS. We volition explicate how information technology can be installed on a Mac - including one currently running an earlier operating system hither: How to install old Mac Os X versions.

Can't find Mac Os X in Purchased?

If you know you have previously downloaded the version of macOS you are after, but yous 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's a possibility that y'all downloaded information technology while logged in to a dissimilar Apple ID (possibly a work-related ane), log in using that ID.
  3. Alternatively, notice someone who has downloaded that version of the Mac operating system and ask them to download the installation file for you lot.

If you never downloaded the version of Mac OS Ten so jump to footstep 3 and find a friendly person who did. Ask them to download the Mac OS X installer for you.

Luckily the re-create of OS 10 isn't locked to their business relationship so it volition install on any Mac.

How to get OS Ten Lion, Mountain Panthera leo

Prior to June 2021 y'all could purchase OS X 10.vii Panthera leo or Mountain Lion from Apple for £19.99 each - Apple would send you a download code. At present Apple tree has stopped charging for the ageing operating system versions. Instead yous can download the operating systems directly from the visitor'south website.

The operating systems can be downloaded from the following links:

If information technology's Mac OS X ten.vii Lion that yous are after, it'due south yet available for £19.99 here Usa or here Great britain. Apple volition send y'all a download code to apply on the Mac App Shop, so yous will need to be running Snow Leopard to install it.

If it's OS X 10.eight Mountain Lion that you can still buy it for £19.99 hither The states or here United kingdom.

We have more information about getting the gratuitous installers for Os X Panthera leo and Mountain Lion from Apple tree in Apple offers gratis downloads of OS Ten Lion and Mountain Lion.

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

How to get OS X Snow Leopard

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

Until 2021 Apple however sold a boxed version of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard hither for £19.99 (at its launch in 2009 information technology cost £25). If you purchased Snow Leopard this way you lot were sent a physical box containing an optical disc - so you lot will need a CD/DVD drive to install it (which you will probably have if the Mac is that old).

Apple has now removed the ability to buy Snow Leopard. Even so, this isn't a big problem because those people who were previously locked out of updates can now download the Lion or Mountain Lion update, as explained above.

Get Snow Leopard

How to go OS X Leopard or before

If the old version of the OS you are later on predates Snow Leopard and you have a developer account you might exist able to go it from developer.apple.com/downloads. If yous search within the Bone 10 category you should come across downloads for all versions of OS 10, at least from version 10.3 to 10.6.

You lot may exist able to access the Developer section of the website, but you will but be able to access sure software downloads if your Apple ID is associated with a paid Apple Programmer Program.

If you lot haven't signed upward as a Apple tree Developer, discover out what that entails hither. It costs £79 ($99) a twelvemonth to bring together the Apple Programmer Program and you have to sign a non disclosure agreement.

You could also try looking on Amazon or eBay to see if anyone is selling one-time versions of the Mac operating system. For example in that location'southward a Full Install of Os X Panthera leo available for £8.50 on Amazon hither.

If it's Tiger you are later, then it will cost a footling more. At that place was a copy of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 merely it's currently unavailable.

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