At that place are a few reasons why you might desire 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 yous simply don't like the new version of macOS that you have installed.

Another scenario is that y'all are a developer and you need to be running multiple versions of macOS and Mac Os 10 and then 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 encompass how to get old versions of macOS including Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and even old versions of Mac Bone X. We explain how to get hold of the relevant installer files so that y'all tin can install the software on your Mac.

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

If yous are looking for a way to revert to the previous version of macOS, we have a more specific commodity most downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although we do encompass the method here too. Nosotros also have a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

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

Yous 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 (we also look at that scenario separately).

Where tin can I download quondam macOS?

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

We take the necessary links to the Mac App Store beneath. We will show you lot a mode to get the following macOS installers:

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

*Note that nosotros have discovered that the links we give below will only work if you are surfing in Safari, so we advise you switch to Apple'due south browser before moving on. You should also close the Mac App Store app if you accept that open up or the link may non work*

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

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

How to download macOS Big Sur

Yous tin download the installer for Big Sur from the Mac App Shop - every bit long as yous know where to find it - searching the Mac App Store volition not work.

  • Click on this link which to open up the Mac App Store on the Big Sur folio. (Utilize Safari and brand certain the Mac App Store app is closed showtime 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 folio.
  2. Click on Become.
  3. Software Update will open up with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a bulletin "Are yous sure you desire to download macOS Big Sur" volition announced. It might look like an update rather than the full version, but you'll run into from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Large Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded exercise not click Install. If you install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You should be able to find the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications folder, you'll need this for the side by side steps, which we outline here: 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 - every bit long as you know the magic link.

  • Click on this link which will open the Mac App Store on the Catalina page. (Use Safari and make sure 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 Become.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you lot sure you desire to download macOS Catalina" will appear. It might look like an update rather than the full version, but you lot'll see from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. One time the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you lot install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You should be able to observe the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications binder, 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 besides possible to admission the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Note that equally above, for this link to work yous need to be running Safari and yous need to close the Mac App Store app first. If the Mac App Shop app is open this redirect volition non piece of work.

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

Follow the steps in the department above to download it.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

It is also possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Utilise Safari, close the Mac App Shop app offset).

Follow the steps in the section in 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 need to download them in Safari. A deejay image named InstallOS.dmg volition download and once it does you need to locate the pkg installer inside the disk image.

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

We've said above that in our experience usually the reason the above links don't work is if yous are browsing in something other than Safari, or if yous have already got the Mac App Store open up. Even so, if y'all are nevertheless finding that the link isn't working you could endeavor the alternative methods below.

Another result is if the link takes y'all to the correct page in the Mac App Store, merely you see an Update not found error message when you try to download it. This is an event we are aware of that others have encountered, although we haven't. In that case nosotros advise you endeavour to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

You may also encounter bug if you lot are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot back up. Usually when Apple introduces a new Mac information technology volition 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 example.

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

Other ways to get former macOS versions

If you are running an older version of macOS - or someone yous know is - you lot should exist able to easily discover older versions of macOS and fifty-fifty Mac Os X in the Mac App Store. How like shooting fish in a barrel they are to find will exist 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 found via the Purchased tab (non that anyone has had to pay for a Mac OS X update for years).

Nonetheless, 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 shop. (Although we do accept redirect links in the department 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 Shop 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 yous. Nosotros run through this method in the section beneath.

As higher up, once the installer has downloaded don't install it! If yous practise then the installer volition be deleted. You'll find the installer in your Applications folder from which you tin can re-create on to your Mac - or create a bootable installer.

We've heard that information technology may be possible to download the installer via Last, even so nosotros were unable to become that method to work.

Yous may also observe updates to one-time version of macOS on Apple's website here, however these are merely point updates, rather than the full version, and so it won't exist much assist if you are trying to get the full download.

The i thing yous really mustn't do is become to a torrent site and download a copy of the Os X you want. Only because Apple gives away its software for free, don't think it's fine to just pick upwards a copy. Pirated copies of Apple tree software could have been adapted to let hackers admission to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac OS 10

If you take access to a Mac running OS X Yosemite or older it is possible to see erstwhile versions of Mac OS X in the Mac App Shop. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mount Lion tin can all be seen hither.

Information technology's worth noting that you'll only see old versions of Mac Os X that you've downloaded under Purchased - if you never downloaded it (or if it 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. Nosotros'll look at that scenario later.

Here is how to get an older version of Mac Bone X from the Mac App Shop (this only 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 Store > Sign In if you need to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Curl down to notice the copy of Bone X or macOS you want.
  4. Click Install.

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

You won't be able to but 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 be installed on a Mac - including i currently running an before operating system here: How to install old Mac OS X versions.

Can't detect Mac OS X in Purchased?

If you know yous have previously downloaded the version of macOS you lot are after, but you lot aren't seeing information technology in the Purchased section, at that place are a few things to try:

  1. Log out of the App Shop and then log in once again.
  2. If information technology's 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 system and inquire them to download the installation file for you.

If you never downloaded the version of Mac Os 10 then jump to step iii and detect a friendly person who did. Enquire them to download the Mac Os X installer for you.

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

How to go Os X Lion, Mountain Lion

Prior to June 2021 yous could purchase OS 10 10.7 Lion or Mountain Panthera leo from Apple tree for £xix.99 each - Apple would send you a download code. Now Apple tree has stopped charging for the ageing operating system versions. Instead you can download the operating systems directly from the company'south website.

The operating systems tin be downloaded from the post-obit links:

If it's Mac OS Ten x.seven Panthera leo that you are later, information technology'southward still available for £19.99 here The states or hither UK. Apple volition transport you a download code to use on the Mac App Store, and so you will demand to exist running Snowfall Leopard to install information technology.

If it'south Os Ten 10.8 Mount Panthera leo that you can still buy information technology for £19.99 here United states of america or hither U.k..

We accept more information about getting the free installers for Bone X Lion and Mount Panthera leo from Apple in Apple tree offers gratuitous downloads of OS Ten Lion and Mountain Lion.

Whether your Mac will really run these operating systems is another question we address here: Which versions of macOS can my Mac run? Note that only Macs that predate 2012 volition 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 accept admission to the Mac App Shop. Since for a number of years later on Snow Leopard arrived all versions of Mac OS 10 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 tree still sold a boxed version of Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard hither for £xix.99 (at its launch in 2009 it price £25). If you purchased Snow Leopard this way you were sent a physical box containing an optical disc - then yous volition need a CD/DVD drive to install information technology (which you volition probably have if the Mac is that old).

Apple tree has now removed the ability to buy Snow Leopard. Even so, this isn't a big trouble considering 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 10 Leopard or before

If the old version of the OS you are after predates Snow Leopard and you lot take a developer account 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 10, at least from version 10.3 to ten.6.

You lot may be able to access the Developer section of the website, just you lot will only be able to admission certain software downloads if your Apple tree ID is associated with a paid Apple tree Programmer Programme.

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

You could also try looking on Amazon or eBay to come across if anyone is selling one-time versions of the Mac operating system. For instance at that place's a Full Install of OS 10 Lion available for £8.50 on Amazon hither.

If it's Tiger yous are after, and so information technology will cost a lilliputian more. In that location was a copy of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 just it'south currently unavailable.

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