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

Another scenario is that you are a developer and you need to be running multiple versions of macOS and Mac Os X so that you can be certain that your software runs correctly on them. Either way, you have questions and we have answers.

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

Nosotros have a separate commodity that explains how to install old versions of macOS for when you lot get to that phase of the process.

If y'all are looking for a way to revert to the previous version of macOS, we have a more specific commodity nearly downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although we practice embrace the method here likewise. We 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'due south not possible.

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

Where tin can I download onetime macOS?

Before y'all tin install an older version of macOS or Mac Bone 10 you volition need to become agree of the installer for the version of macOS you want to install. Luckily it is possible to gets concur of these files - equally long as you know where to go on the Mac App Store.

We have the necessary links to the Mac App Shop beneath. Nosotros will bear witness you lot a manner to become the following macOS installers:

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

*Notation that we accept discovered that the links we give beneath will only work if y'all are surfing in Safari, and then we suggest you lot switch to Apple's browser before moving on. You should too close the Mac App Shop app if yous have that open or the link may non work*

You won't be able to get the Mac OS 10 Snowfall Leopard download this way, but we'll look at that later. In fact, we tell you how to get copies of Leopard, Lion and Mountain Lion as well!

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

How to download macOS Large Sur

You tin 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 will not piece of 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 Shop app is closed outset or it 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 Store on the Big Sur page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you sure you desire to download macOS Big Sur" will announced. Information technology might await similar 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 Big Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded practice non click Install. If yous install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You should exist able to notice the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications folder, y'all'll demand 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

Yous can also 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 page. (Utilise Safari and make sure the Mac App Store app is airtight first).

Catalina Mac App Store

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

  1. Click this link to open up the Mac App Shop on the Catalina folio.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Somewhen a message "Are you lot sure you desire to download macOS Catalina" will appear. Information technology might expect similar an update rather than the total version, but you'll see from the size of the download (effectually 6GB) that this is the consummate installer for Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. In one case the installer has downloaded exercise not click Install. If you install information technology the installer will automatically exist deleted.
  5. You lot should be able to find the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, you'll demand this for the next steps, which nosotros 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 Store. Note that as higher up, for this link to work you demand to be running Safari and you need to close the Mac App Shop app offset. If the Mac App Store app is open 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 above to download information technology.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

It is likewise possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Use Safari, shut the Mac App Store app get-go).

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

How to download Sierra, El Capitan or Yosemite

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

  • You tin can Sierra via this link.
  • El Capitan can exist downloaded from this link.
  • Yosemite is bachelor here.

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

We've said higher up 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 yous have already got the Mac App Store open. However, if yous are notwithstanding finding that the link isn't working you could try the alternative methods beneath.

Some other effect is if the link takes you to the correct page in the Mac App Shop, but yous see an Update non found error message when you endeavour to download it. This is an effect we are aware of that others take encountered, although we haven't. In that case we advise yous try to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

You may also encounter issues if you are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot back up. Usually when Apple tree 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 about what version of macOS your Mac supports here: What version of macOS can my Mac run?

Other ways to get one-time macOS versions

If you are running an older version of macOS - or someone you know is - you should be able to easily find older versions of macOS and even Mac OS X in the Mac App Store. How easy they are to observe volition be determined by the version of macOS running on that Mac.

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

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

If you happen to have access to a Mac that'south 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 re-create of the installer from the Mac App Store for you. We run through this method in the section beneath.

As above, once the installer has downloaded don't install it! If you do and so the installer will be deleted. You lot'll notice the installer in your Applications folder from which y'all can re-create on to your Mac - or create a bootable installer.

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

Y'all may also observe updates to onetime version of macOS on Apple's website here, nonetheless these are only signal updates, rather than the full version, so it won't exist much help if yous are trying to get the full download.

The one affair y'all actually mustn't do is go to a torrent site and download a copy of the Os X yous want. Just because Apple gives abroad its software for free, don't call up it'southward fine to merely choice up a copy. Pirated copies of Apple software could have been adjusted to permit hackers access to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac Bone X

If you accept access to a Mac running Bone X Yosemite or older it is possible to encounter old versions of Mac Bone Ten in the Mac App Store. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mount King of beasts tin can all be seen here.

It'southward worth noting that you'll simply see old versions of Mac Os X that you've downloaded under Purchased - if y'all never downloaded it (or if it was never on the Mac App Store), that version will non exist in your Purchased section. Another reason why the version of Mac OS X might be missing is if your machine shipped with that version installed. Nosotros'll await at that scenario later on.

Here is how to go an older version of Mac Bone X from the Mac App Store (this only works if y'all've downloaded information technology in the past and it 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 need to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Whorl down to detect the copy of OS Ten or macOS you lot desire.
  4. Click Install.

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

You won't be able to simply install this older version of the operating system directly onto a Mac running a newer version of OS X or macOS. We will explain how information technology can be installed on a Mac - including one currently running an before operating system here: How to install one-time Mac OS X versions.

Can't notice Mac Bone Ten in Purchased?

If you know you take previously downloaded the version of macOS you are afterwards, but yous aren't seeing it in the Purchased section, there are a few things to endeavor:

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

If you lot never downloaded the version of Mac OS X then spring to stride 3 and notice a friendly person who did. Ask them to download the Mac Bone X installer for yous.

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

How to go Bone X Panthera leo, Mountain Lion

Prior to June 2021 yous could purchase Bone Ten ten.7 Lion or Mountain Lion from Apple for £xix.99 each - Apple tree would send yous a download code. Now Apple has stopped charging for the ageing operating system versions. Instead you lot tin can download the operating systems directly from the company's website.

The operating systems can be downloaded from the following links:

  • DMG for Mac OS X 10.7 King of beasts (4.72GB)
  • DMG for Mac Os X x.eight Mountain Lion (4.45GB)

If information technology's Mac Os X 10.7 Lion that y'all are later on, it's nonetheless bachelor for £19.99 here US or here UK. Apple tree will ship you a download lawmaking to use on the Mac App Store, so y'all will need to be running Snow Leopard to install information technology.

If it's Bone X x.8 Mount Lion that you lot tin can withal buy it for £19.99 here United states of america or hither UK.

Nosotros have more than information about getting the gratuitous installers for OS Ten Lion and Mountain King of beasts from Apple in Apple tree offers free downloads of Os 10 Lion and Mount Lion.

Whether your Mac will really run these operating systems is some other question nosotros accost here: Which versions of macOS tin can my Mac run? Note that only Macs that predate 2012 will run Lion.

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 Shop, 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 here for £nineteen.99 (at its launch in 2009 it price £25). If you purchased Snowfall Leopard this way you were sent a concrete box containing an optical disc - so you will need a CD/DVD drive to install it (which you will probably have if the Mac is that erstwhile).

Apple has at present 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 can at present download the Lion or Mountain Lion update, equally explained above.

Get Snow Leopard

How to get Bone X Leopard or earlier

If the former version of the Bone y'all are subsequently predates Snow 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 X category you should see downloads for all versions of Os X, at least from version ten.3 to x.six.

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

If yous haven't signed up as a Apple Developer, discover out what that entails hither. Information technology costs £79 ($99) a year to join the Apple Developer Plan and you accept to sign a non disclosure agreement.

You lot could besides try looking on Amazon or eBay to see if anyone is selling old versions of the Mac operating organisation. For case at that place'southward a Full Install of OS X Lion available for £8.fifty on Amazon here.

If information technology'south Tiger you are later, then it will cost a piddling more. In that location was a re-create of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 only it's currently unavailable.

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