There are a few reasons why y'all might desire to download and install quondam versions of macOS or Mac Bone 10. Perhaps y'all are relying on software yous have discovered doesn't work properly in the latest version. Or perhaps y'all just don't similar the new version of macOS that you take installed.

Another scenario is that you are a developer and yous need to be running multiple versions of macOS and Mac Os X and then that y'all tin can be sure that your software runs correctly on them. Either way, you take questions and we have answers.

In this commodity we will comprehend how to get old versions of macOS including Big Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and fifty-fifty old versions of Mac Os X. Nosotros explain how to get hold of the relevant installer files so that you lot can install the software on your Mac.

Nosotros have a separate article that explains how to install old versions of macOS for when you get 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 article nigh downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although nosotros exercise embrace the method here too. We also accept a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

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

You lot likewise might want to become the installer for a version of macOS in guild to brand a bootable installer for installing macOS on multiple Macs (we also look at that scenario separately).

Where can I download old macOS?

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

We have the necessary links to the Mac App Shop below. We will show you 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 Ten Yosemite
  • OS X Mavericks
  • Bone X Mountain Lion
  • Bone Ten Lion

*Note that we accept discovered that the links we give below will only work if y'all are surfing in Safari, then we suggest yous switch to Apple's browser before moving on. Y'all should also shut the Mac App Store app if you take that open or the link may non work*

You won't be able to become the Mac Os X Snow Leopard download this mode, merely we'll look at that subsequently. In fact, nosotros tell you how to go copies of Leopard, Lion and Mountain Lion too!

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

How to download macOS Big 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 Shop will not work.

  • Click on this link which to open the Mac App Store on the Big Sur folio. (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 Store on the Large Sur page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open up with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are yous certain you want to download macOS Big 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 consummate installer for Big Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded practise not click Install. If you install information technology the installer will automatically exist deleted.
  5. You should be able to find the Install macOS Large Sur app in your Applications folder, you'll demand this for the adjacent steps, which we outline hither: 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 Shop - as long equally yous know the magic link.

  • Click on this link which will open the Mac App Store on the Catalina folio. (Utilise 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 Shop on the Catalina page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open up with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a bulletin "Are you sure you desire to download macOS Catalina" will appear. Information technology might look like an update rather than the total version, but you'll meet 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 non click Install. If you lot install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You should be able to find the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, you lot'll need this for the side by side steps, which nosotros outline here: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Mojave

It is as well possible to access the Mojave installer via this link to the Mac App Store. Note that every bit higher up, for this link to piece of work you need to be running Safari and you need to close the Mac App Shop app outset. If the Mac App Store app is open up this redirect will not work.

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

Follow the steps in the section above to download it.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

Information technology is also possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Apply Safari, close the Mac App Shop app get-go).

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 lot need to download them in Safari. A disk prototype named InstallOS.dmg will download and once information technology does you demand to locate the pkg installer within the disk image.

  • You can Sierra via this link.
  • El Capitan can be downloaded from this link.
  • Yosemite is available here.

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

Nosotros've said above that in our experience usually the reason the to a higher place links don't work is if you lot are browsing in something other than Safari, or if you have already got the Mac App Store open. However, if y'all are still finding that the link isn't working you lot could try the alternative methods below.

Some other issue is if the link takes you lot to the correct page in the Mac App Store, but you see an Update not institute error message when you try to download it. This is an upshot we are enlightened of that others have encountered, although nosotros oasis't. In that instance we suggest you lot 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 support. Usually when Apple introduces a new Mac information technology will not be able to run the version of macOS that shipped before the i installed on that Mac. The older macOS might not support certain components in that Mac, for instance.

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

Other ways to become old macOS versions

If you are running an older version of macOS - or someone you know is - you should exist able to easily find older versions of macOS and even Mac Bone 10 in the Mac App Shop. How easy they are to discover will exist 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 be searched for or found via the Purchased tab (not that anyone has had to pay for a Mac Bone Ten update for years).

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

If you happen to take 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 y'all. We run through this method in the department below.

As to a higher place, once the installer has downloaded don't install it! If you practise then the installer will be deleted. Y'all'll notice the installer in your Applications folder from which you can copy on to your Mac - or create a bootable installer.

We've heard that it may be possible to download the installer via Terminal, however nosotros were unable to become that method to work.

You may also find updates to old version of macOS on Apple'due south website here, however these are just point updates, rather than the full version, and then it won't be much help if you are trying to get the total download.

The one affair you really mustn't do is go to a torrent site and download a copy of the Bone X you want. Just because Apple gives away its software for free, don't think it'south fine to just pick up a re-create. Pirated copies of Apple software could accept been adjusted to let hackers access to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac OS X

If you have admission to a Mac running OS X Yosemite or older it is possible to see old versions of Mac OS X in the Mac App Shop. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mountain Lion tin can all exist seen here.

It'south worth noting that you'll merely see erstwhile versions of Mac OS X that you lot've downloaded nether Purchased - if you never downloaded it (or if information technology was never on the Mac App Store), that version volition not exist in your Purchased section. Another reason why the version of Mac Bone X might be missing is if your machine shipped with that version installed. We'll look at that scenario after.

Here is how to become an older version of Mac Os X from the Mac App Store (this only works if you've downloaded information technology in the past and it won't work if you have already installed Mojave or subsequently):

  1. Open up the Mac App Store (choose Store > Sign In if y'all need to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Scroll down to find the copy of Bone X or macOS you desire.
  4. Click Install.

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

You won't be able to simply install this older version of the operating system straight onto a Mac running a newer version of Os Ten or macOS. We volition explain how it tin can be installed on a Mac - including 1 currently running an earlier operating organization here: How to install one-time Mac OS X versions.

Tin can't detect Mac Os X in Purchased?

If you know y'all have previously downloaded the version of macOS y'all are later on, simply yous aren't seeing it in the Purchased section, there are a few things to try:

  1. Log out of the App Store so log in again.
  2. If it'southward a possibility that you downloaded it while logged in to a different Apple ID (perhaps 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.

If yous never downloaded the version of Mac OS X then jump to pace 3 and find a friendly person who did. Inquire them to download the Mac OS 10 installer for you.

Luckily the copy of Os X isn't locked to their business relationship and then it will install on whatever Mac.

How to get Bone X King of beasts, Mount King of beasts

Prior to June 2021 you could buy Bone X ten.7 Lion or Mount 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 you can download the operating systems directly from the visitor's website.

The operating systems can exist downloaded from the following links:

  • DMG for Mac OS X 10.7 King of beasts (iv.72GB)
  • DMG for Mac Bone X 10.8 Mount Lion (4.45GB)

If information technology's Mac OS X ten.7 Panthera leo that yous are later on, it'due south all the same available for £19.99 here US or here UK. Apple will send you a download code to use on the Mac App Store, so y'all will need to exist running Snowfall Leopard to install it.

If it's OS Ten 10.8 Mountain Lion that you tin all the same buy information technology for £xix.99 here US or hither UK.

We have more information almost getting the free installers for Os X Lion and Mountain Lion from Apple in Apple offers costless downloads of Bone X Lion and Mountain Lion.

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

How to become Bone X Snow Leopard

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

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

Apple has at present removed the ability to purchase Snow Leopard. Withal, this isn't a large problem because those people who were previously locked out of updates can now download the Lion or Mountain Lion update, as explained higher up.

Get Snow Leopard

How to get OS X Leopard or earlier

If the old version of the OS you are later predates Snow Leopard and y'all have a programmer account you lot might be able to go it from programmer.apple.com/downloads. If you search inside the OS 10 category you should see downloads for all versions of OS X, at least from version x.3 to ten.six.

Yous may be able to access the Developer section of the website, simply you volition only be able to access sure software downloads if your Apple tree ID is associated with a paid Apple tree Programmer Programme.

If y'all haven't signed up as a Apple Programmer, find out what that entails here. It costs £79 ($99) a twelvemonth to bring together the Apple tree Developer Program and you take to sign a non disclosure agreement.

You could also try looking on Amazon or eBay to meet if anyone is selling old versions of the Mac operating arrangement. For instance there's a Full Install of OS X Lion available for £eight.50 on Amazon hither.

If it's Tiger you are afterwards, then it will price a picayune more. There was a copy of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 but it'south currently unavailable.

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