At that place are a few reasons why y'all might desire to download and install quondam versions of macOS or Mac Bone X. Maybe you are relying on software yous have discovered doesn't piece of work properly in the latest version. Or possibly you just don't like the new version of macOS that you have installed.

Another scenario is that you are a programmer and you need to be running multiple versions of macOS and Mac OS X then that y'all can be certain that your software runs correctly on them. Either fashion, you take questions and we take answers.

In this commodity nosotros will cover how to become sometime versions of macOS including Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and fifty-fifty erstwhile versions of Mac Os X. We explicate how to get agree of the relevant installer files so that you lot tin install the software on your Mac.

We accept a separate article that explains how to install old versions of macOS for when you become to that stage of the procedure.

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

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

You also might desire to get the installer for a version of macOS in order to make a bootable installer for installing macOS on multiple Macs (nosotros besides look at that scenario separately).

Where can I download old macOS?

Before y'all can install an older version of macOS or Mac Bone Ten you lot will 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 equally you know where to go on the Mac App Store.

We accept the necessary links to the Mac App Shop below. Nosotros volition bear witness you a style to go the following macOS installers:

  • macOS Big Sur
  • macOS Catalina
  • macOS Mojave
  • macOS Loftier Sierra
  • macOS Sierra
  • OS X El Capitan
  • Os X Yosemite
  • Os X Mavericks
  • OS X Mount Lion
  • OS Ten Lion

*Note that we have discovered that the links we give below will merely piece of work if you are surfing in Safari, so nosotros propose you switch to Apple'south browser before moving on. You should likewise close the Mac App Shop app if you have that open or the link may not work*

You won't be able to get the Mac OS X Snow Leopard download this way, but nosotros'll await at that later. In fact, we tell you how to get copies of Leopard, Panthera leo and Mountain Panthera leo too!

We take a list of which Macs run which versions of macOS & Mac Bone X.

How to download macOS Large Sur

You can download the installer for Big Sur from the Mac App Store - as long as y'all know where to notice information technology - searching the Mac App Shop volition non work.

  • Click on this link which to open up the Mac App Store on the Big Sur page. (Utilize Safari and brand certain the Mac App Store app is closed first or information technology might not piece of work).

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

  1. Click this link to open the Mac App Store on the Big Sur folio.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a bulletin "Are y'all sure you want to download macOS Large Sur" will announced. It might look like an update rather than the total version, simply y'all'll see from the size of the download (effectually 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Big Sur.
  4. One time the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you install information technology the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You should be able to find the Install macOS Large Sur app in your Applications binder, 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

You can likewise 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 page. (Utilize Safari and make certain the Mac App Store app is closed first).

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 Store on the Catalina page.
  2. Click on Go.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you certain you desire to download macOS Catalina" will announced. It might await like an update rather than the total version, but you'll run into from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the consummate installer for Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. Once the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you install it the installer volition automatically be deleted.
  5. You should be able to notice the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications binder, y'all'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 also possible to access the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Shop. Note that every bit in a higher place, for this link to piece of work you need to exist running Safari and you lot need to close the Mac App Store app first. If the Mac App Shop app is open up this redirect will not piece of work.

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

Follow the steps in the section in a higher place to download information technology.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

It is also possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Use Safari, close the Mac App Store app start).

Follow the steps in the section above 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 image named InstallOS.dmg will download and in one case it does you lot need to locate the pkg installer inside the disk image.

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

Nosotros've said to a higher place that in our experience ordinarily the reason the higher up links don't work is if you are browsing in something other than Safari, or if you have already got the Mac App Shop open. Yet, if you are still finding that the link isn't working you lot could endeavor the alternative methods below.

Another effect is if the link takes yous to the correct page in the Mac App Shop, but yous see an Update non found error bulletin when you try to download information technology. This is an issue nosotros are aware of that others have encountered, although we oasis't. In that example nosotros advise you try to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

Yous may also encounter problems if you are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot support. Usually when Apple tree 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 not support certain components in that Mac, for example.

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

Other means to get old macOS versions

If you lot are running an older version of macOS - or someone you know is - yous should exist able to easily observe older versions of macOS and fifty-fifty Mac Bone X in the Mac App Store. How easy they are to find will be determined 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 constitute via the Purchased tab (not that anyone has had to pay for a Mac OS X update for years).

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

If you happen to have admission 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 section below.

As to a higher place, in one case the installer has downloaded don't install it! If you practise and so the installer will be deleted. Yous'll notice the installer in your Applications folder from which y'all 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, however we were unable to get that method to work.

Y'all may also find updates to old version of macOS on Apple's website here, however these are simply point updates, rather than the full version, so it won't be much help if you lot are trying to get the full download.

The 1 affair you actually mustn't do is go to a torrent site and download a copy of the Bone Ten you want. Just because Apple tree gives abroad its software for free, don't think it'southward fine to just pick up a copy. Pirated copies of Apple software could have been adapted to allow hackers access to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac OS X

If you lot have access to a Mac running Bone X Yosemite or older it is possible to come across former versions of Mac OS Ten in the Mac App Store. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mountain King of beasts tin all be seen here.

It'due south worth noting that you'll merely see old versions of Mac Bone 10 that you've downloaded under Purchased - if you never downloaded information technology (or if information technology was never on the Mac App Store), that version will not be in your Purchased section. Another reason why the version of Mac OS 10 might be missing is if your machine shipped with that version installed. We'll await at that scenario afterwards.

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

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

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

You won't exist able to just install this older version of the operating organization directly onto a Mac running a newer version of Bone X or macOS. We will explain how information technology can be installed on a Mac - including one currently running an earlier operating arrangement hither: How to install quondam Mac Bone X versions.

Can't find Mac OS X in Purchased?

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

  1. Log out of the App Store then log in again.
  2. If information technology'south a possibility that y'all downloaded it while logged in to a different 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 organisation and ask them to download the installation file for yous.

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

Luckily the copy of Os Ten isn't locked to their account then it volition install on any Mac.

How to go Bone Ten Lion, Mountain Lion

Prior to June 2021 y'all could purchase OS X ten.7 Lion or Mountain Lion from Apple tree for £19.99 each - Apple tree would send you a download code. Now Apple has stopped charging for the ageing operating system versions. Instead you 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 OS Ten 10.7 Lion that you are after, it's still bachelor for £19.99 here US or hither UK. Apple tree will send you a download code to use on the Mac App Store, and then you will demand to exist running Snow Leopard to install information technology.

If it's Bone 10 10.viii Mountain Panthera leo that you tin can nevertheless buy it for £19.99 here Usa or here Uk.

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

Whether your Mac will actually run these operating systems is another question nosotros address here: Which versions of macOS can my Mac run? Annotation that only Macs that predate 2012 will run Lion.

How to go OS 10 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 Store. Since for a number of years afterward Snow Leopard arrived all versions of Mac Os 10 arrived via the Mac App Shop, those who never installed Snow Leopard had a problem: without Snow Leopard they couldn't update.

Until 2021 Apple all the same sold a boxed version of Mac Os X 10.6 Snow Leopard hither for £nineteen.99 (at its launch in 2009 it cost £25). If you purchased Snow Leopard this fashion you lot were sent a concrete box containing an optical disc - then you lot will need a CD/DVD drive to install information technology (which y'all volition probably take if the Mac is that old).

Apple has at present removed the ability to buy Snow Leopard. Yet, 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 get OS X Leopard or earlier

If the old version of the OS you are after predates Snow Leopard and you take a developer business relationship you might be able to become it from developer.apple.com/downloads. If you search inside the OS X category y'all should see downloads for all versions of Os X, at least from version 10.iii to ten.6.

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

If you lot haven't signed up every bit a Apple Developer, find out what that entails hither. It costs £79 ($99) a year to bring together the Apple tree Developer Program and you lot have to sign a not disclosure understanding.

Y'all could also effort looking on Amazon or eBay to see if anyone is selling old versions of the Mac operating system. For example there's a Full Install of Os Ten Panthera leo available for £viii.50 on Amazon hither.

If it's Tiger you are after, and then information technology will price a petty more. There was a copy of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 but it's currently unavailable.

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