There are a few reasons why you might want to download and install old versions of macOS or Mac OS Ten. Perhaps you are relying on software you lot have discovered doesn't piece of work properly in the latest version. Or maybe yous simply don't like the new version of macOS that you have installed.

Another scenario is that you are a developer and y'all need to be running multiple versions of macOS and Mac OS 10 so that you lot can be sure that your software runs correctly on them. Either fashion, yous accept questions and we take answers.

In this article we volition embrace how to go old versions of macOS including Large Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and even quondam versions of Mac OS Ten. We explicate how to become concord of the relevant installer files then that you can install the software on your Mac.

We have a split up article that explains how to install erstwhile versions of macOS for when yous get to that stage of the procedure.

If y'all are looking for a fashion to revert to the previous version of macOS, we have a more specific article about downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although we practise encompass the method here likewise. We besides have a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

However, if you lot were hoping to run older versions of macOS on M1 Macs that's not possible.

Y'all also might want 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 erstwhile macOS?

Before you lot can install an older version of macOS or Mac OS Ten you will need to get hold of the installer for the version of macOS you want to install. Luckily information technology is possible to gets hold of these files - as long as y'all know where to get on the Mac App Shop.

Nosotros accept the necessary links to the Mac App Store below. We will show you lot a way to go the following macOS installers:

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

*Note that nosotros accept discovered that the links we give below will only work if you are surfing in Safari, and so we advise y'all switch to Apple's browser before moving on. Y'all should also close the Mac App Shop app if yous have that open or the link may not piece of work*

You won't be able to get the Mac Bone X Snowfall Leopard download this way, only we'll wait at that subsequently. In fact, we tell you lot how to go copies of Leopard, King of beasts and Mountain Lion too!

We have a list of which Macs run which versions of macOS & Mac OS 10.

How to download macOS Big Sur

You tin can download the installer for Big Sur from the Mac App Store - as long as you know where to find 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 information technology might not 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 Shop on the Big Sur page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Somewhen a message "Are yous certain yous want to download macOS Large Sur" will appear. It might look like an update rather than the full version, merely you'll see from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Large Sur.
  4. One time the installer has downloaded practise non click Install. If y'all install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You lot should be able to find the Install macOS Large Sur 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 Catalina

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

  • Click on this link which volition open the Mac App Store on the Catalina folio. (Use Safari and make certain the Mac App Shop app is closed beginning).

Catalina Mac App Store

As higher up, 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 Store on the Catalina folio.
  2. Click on Go.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you sure you want to download macOS Catalina" volition appear. Information technology might await like an update rather than the total version, but you'll see from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the consummate installer for Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. In one case the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you install it the installer volition automatically be deleted.
  5. You should be able to detect the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, you'll need this for the next steps, which nosotros outline hither: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Mojave

It is also possible to access the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Notation that as above, for this link to work you need to exist running Safari and y'all need to close the Mac App Store app kickoff. If the Mac App Store app is open this redirect volition not piece of work.

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

Follow the steps in the section to a higher place to download it.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

It is likewise possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Use Safari, close the Mac App Shop app first).

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

How to download Sierra, El Capitan or Yosemite

Apple provides dmg files of these older macOS versions - y'all need to download them in Safari. A disk image named InstallOS.dmg will download and once it does you lot need to locate the pkg installer inside the disk image.

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

Nosotros've said above that in our experience unremarkably the reason the above links don't work is if you are browsing in something other than Safari, or if you have already got the Mac App Store open. However, if you lot are nevertheless finding that the link isn't working you could try the culling methods beneath.

Another issue is if the link takes you to the right page in the Mac App Shop, simply you see an Update not constitute error bulletin when you try to download it. This is an issue nosotros are aware of that others have encountered, although nosotros haven't. In that instance we suggest yous try to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

You may likewise come across bug if you are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot back up. Usually when Apple introduces a new Mac it will non be able to run the version of macOS that shipped before the one installed on that Mac. The older macOS might non support sure components in that Mac, for example.

Observe out more almost what version of macOS your Mac supports hither: What version of macOS tin can my Mac run?

Other ways to get one-time macOS versions

If y'all are running an older version of macOS - or someone yous know is - you should be able to hands observe older versions of macOS and even Mac Bone X in the Mac App Store. How easy they are to find 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 exist searched for or found via the Purchased tab (not that anyone has had to pay for a Mac OS X update for years).

Nevertheless, when Apple introduced Mojave the Mac App Store changed, and these installers tin can no longer be searched for or plant in the purchased section of the store. (Although nosotros do take redirect links in the section above to each of the relevant pages on the Mac App Store.)

If you happen to accept access to a Mac that's running an older version of macOS, log into the Mac App Store with your countersign 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. We run through this method in the section beneath.

As to a higher place, once the installer has downloaded don't install information technology! If y'all do then the installer will be deleted. You'll discover 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 be possible to download the installer via Terminal, notwithstanding we were unable to get that method to work.

You may also find updates to former version of macOS on Apple'south website here, however these are only signal updates, rather than the full version, and so it won't be much assist if you are trying to get the full download.

The 1 affair y'all really mustn't practice is get to a torrent site and download a copy of the OS X you desire. Just because Apple gives abroad its software for gratuitous, don't think it'southward fine to just choice upwards a copy. Pirated copies of Apple software could take been adjusted to allow hackers admission to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac Bone X

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

It's worth noting that you'll only meet old versions of Mac OS X that y'all've downloaded under Purchased - if yous never downloaded it (or if it was never on the Mac App Shop), that version will non be in your Purchased section. Some other reason why the version of Mac Os X might be missing is if your machine shipped with that version installed. We'll look at that scenario later.

Here is how to get an older version of Mac Bone Ten from the Mac App Store (this just works if you've downloaded it in the past and it won't piece of work if you have already installed Mojave or afterward):

  1. Open the Mac App Store (choose Shop > Sign In if yous demand to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Coil down to find the copy of OS 10 or macOS you want.
  4. Click Install.

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

You won't exist able to but install this older version of the operating organization 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 one currently running an earlier operating arrangement here: How to install sometime Mac OS Ten versions.

Can't find Mac OS Ten in Purchased?

If you know you take previously downloaded the version of macOS you are afterward, but you aren't seeing it in the Purchased department, in that location are a few things to attempt:

  1. Log out of the App Store and then log in once again.
  2. If it'due south a possibility that you downloaded it while logged in to a dissimilar Apple 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 ask them to download the installation file for you.

If you never downloaded the version of Mac OS X and so jump to step 3 and notice a friendly person who did. Inquire them to download the Mac Os Ten installer for y'all.

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

How to get Os Ten King of beasts, Mount Lion

Prior to June 2021 you could purchase Os X ten.seven Lion or Mountain Lion from Apple for £19.99 each - Apple would send y'all a download code. Now Apple has stopped charging for the ageing operating organization versions. Instead you tin download the operating systems direct from the company's website.

The operating systems can be downloaded from the following links:

If it'due south Mac OS X 10.seven Lion that y'all are after, it's still bachelor for £xix.99 hither US or here Great britain. Apple tree will send you a download code to employ on the Mac App Store, so you will need to be running Snow Leopard to install it.

If information technology'southward OS X ten.eight Mountain Lion that you can still buy it for £19.99 here The states or here Uk.

We have more than information about getting the free installers for OS X Lion and Mountain Lion from Apple in Apple offers free downloads of Os X Lion and Mountain Lion.

Whether your Mac volition actually run these operating systems is another question we address here: Which versions of macOS tin my Mac run? Notation that just Macs that predate 2012 will run Panthera leo.

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 Bone X arrived via the Mac App Store, those who never installed Snowfall Leopard had a problem: without Snow Leopard they couldn't update.

Until 2021 Apple withal sold a boxed version of Mac Os Ten 10.6 Snow Leopard here for £19.99 (at its launch in 2009 it toll £25). If you purchased Snow Leopard this mode you were sent a concrete box containing an optical disc - 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 Snowfall Leopard. Yet, this isn't a big problem because those people who were previously locked out of updates tin now download the Lion or Mount Panthera leo update, equally explained above.

Get Snow Leopard

How to get OS X Leopard or before

If the old version of the OS you lot are afterwards predates Snow Leopard and you have a developer account you might be able to get it from developer.apple.com/downloads. If you lot search inside the Bone X category y'all should run across downloads for all versions of OS X, at least from version ten.3 to x.half-dozen.

Yous may be able to access the Developer department of the website, but yous will only be able to access certain software downloads if your Apple ID is associated with a paid Apple Programmer Plan.

If y'all oasis't signed upwardly every bit a Apple Programmer, find out what that entails hither. It costs £79 ($99) a twelvemonth to join the Apple Developer Program and yous have to sign a non disclosure agreement.

You could also try looking on Amazon or eBay to see if anyone is selling old versions of the Mac operating system. For case in that location's a Total Install of OS X Lion available for £8.50 on Amazon hither.

If information technology's Tiger y'all are after, then information technology will toll a niggling more. There was a copy of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 but information technology's currently unavailable.

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