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

Another scenario is that yous are a programmer and yous demand to exist running multiple versions of macOS and Mac Bone X then that you can exist sure that your software runs correctly on them. Either way, y'all take questions and nosotros have answers.

In this commodity we volition cover how to get one-time versions of macOS including Large Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and even sometime versions of Mac OS X. We explain how to get hold of the relevant installer files so that you tin install the software on your Mac.

Nosotros have a carve up article that explains how to install old versions of macOS for when you get to that stage of the process.

If you are looking for a manner to revert to the previous version of macOS, we accept a more specific article about downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although we do embrace the method here likewise. We likewise take a guide to downgrading from the macOS beta.

However, if y'all were hoping to run older versions of macOS on M1 Macs that'south 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 await at that scenario separately).

Where can I download old macOS?

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

We accept the necessary links to the Mac App Shop beneath. We will evidence you lot 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 X Yosemite
  • OS 10 Mavericks
  • Bone X Mount Lion
  • Bone X Lion

*Annotation that nosotros have discovered that the links nosotros requite below will only piece of work if y'all are surfing in Safari, and so we propose yous switch to Apple tree's browser before moving on. You should also shut the Mac App Store app if yous have that open or the link may non piece of work*

You lot won't be able to become the Mac Os X Snow Leopard download this way, merely nosotros'll expect at that later. In fact, we tell you lot how to go copies of Leopard, Lion and Mountain Panthera leo as well!

We have a list of which Macs run which versions of macOS & Mac Bone 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 observe it - searching the Mac App Store volition non work.

  • Click on this link which to open the Mac App Shop on the Big Sur page. (Use Safari and make sure the Mac App Store app is closed outset or it might not piece of 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 Get.
  3. Software Update will open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a bulletin "Are you sure you want to download macOS Large Sur" will announced. Information technology might look like an update rather than the full version, but 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 do non click Install. If yous install it the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. Yous should exist able to discover the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications binder, you lot'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

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 folio. (Employ Safari and make sure the Mac App Store app is closed beginning).

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 Store:

  1. Click this link to open the Mac App Shop on the Catalina page.
  2. Click on Go.
  3. Software Update volition open with the words "Finding Update". Somewhen a message "Are you lot sure you desire to download macOS Catalina" will appear. It might expect similar an update rather than the full version, but yous'll see from the size of the download (around 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Catalina. Download Catalina
  4. Once the installer has downloaded do not click Install. If you install it the installer volition automatically exist deleted.
  5. You should exist able to find the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications folder, you'll demand this for the adjacent 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 as above, for this link to piece of work you lot need to be running Safari and you need to shut the Mac App Store app first. If the Mac App Shop app is open this redirect volition not work.

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

Follow the steps in the department above to download information technology.

Download Mojave

How to download High Sierra

It is also possible to download High Sierra via this link. (Utilise Safari, shut the Mac App Store app kickoff).

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

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

We've said above that in our feel normally the reason the above links don't work is if you are browsing in something other than Safari, or if y'all have already got the Mac App Store open. However, if you are nonetheless finding that the link isn't working you could try the alternative methods below.

Another issue is if the link takes you to the correct folio in the Mac App Store, just you come across an Update not establish error message when you try to download it. This is an issue we are enlightened of that others take encountered, although nosotros oasis't. In that instance we suggest you try to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

You may as well encounter issues 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 volition not be able to run the version of macOS that shipped earlier the one installed on that Mac. The older macOS might non support certain components in that Mac, for example.

Discover out more than about what version of macOS your Mac supports here: What version of macOS tin my Mac run?

Other ways to get quondam 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 Bone Ten in the Mac App Store. How piece of cake 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 be searched for or found via the Purchased tab (non that anyone has had to pay for a Mac OS 10 update for years).

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

If you happen to have access to a Mac that's 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 yous. We run through this method in the section below.

As above, once the installer has downloaded don't install information technology! If you practice then the installer volition be deleted. You'll find the installer in your Applications folder from which you can re-create on to your Mac - or create a bootable installer.

Nosotros've heard that it may be possible to download the installer via Concluding, however we were unable to go that method to piece of work.

Yous may besides discover updates to erstwhile version of macOS on Apple tree'south website hither, withal these are just point updates, rather than the full version, so it won't exist much assist if you are trying to go the full download.

The ane matter you actually mustn't practice is go to a torrent site and download a copy of the OS X you want. Just because Apple gives away its software for free, don't think information technology'due south fine to just pick upwards a re-create. Pirated copies of Apple software could have been adjusted to allow hackers access to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac OS X

If you take access to a Mac running Bone 10 Yosemite or older it is possible to encounter quondam versions of Mac OS Ten in the Mac App Store. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mount King of beasts can all be seen hither.

It's worth noting that you'll merely meet old versions of Mac Os X that yous've downloaded under Purchased - if you never downloaded it (or if it was never on the Mac App Store), that version will non be in your Purchased section. Another reason why the version of Mac Bone X might exist 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 OS X from the Mac App Store (this simply works if y'all've downloaded it in the by and it won't work if you take already installed Mojave or later):

  1. Open the Mac App Store (choose Store > Sign In if you lot demand to log in).
  2. Click Purchased.
  3. Scroll downward to find the re-create of OS Ten or macOS you want.
  4. Click Install.

Clicking Install won't really install the software, only it will 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 10 or macOS. We volition explain how it tin be installed on a Mac - including 1 currently running an earlier operating system here: How to install old Mac OS 10 versions.

Can't detect Mac Os Ten in Purchased?

If yous know y'all accept previously downloaded the version of macOS you are afterwards, but you aren't seeing it in the Purchased section, in that location are a few things to attempt:

  1. Log out of the App Store then log in again.
  2. If information technology's a possibility that you downloaded it while logged in to a unlike Apple tree ID (perhaps a work-related ane), 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 then bound to step 3 and find a friendly person who did. Ask them to download the Mac Bone X installer for you.

Luckily the copy of OS 10 isn't locked to their business relationship so it will install on any Mac.

How to go OS X Lion, Mountain Lion

Prior to June 2021 you could purchase OS X 10.vii Lion or Mount Lion from Apple for £19.99 each - Apple tree would send you lot a download code. At present Apple tree has stopped charging for the ageing operating system versions. Instead you can download the operating systems straight from the company'southward website.

The operating systems can exist downloaded from the post-obit links:

If it'southward Mac OS X 10.7 King of beasts that yous are afterwards, it's even so available for £19.99 here The states or here UK. Apple tree will ship you a download code to employ on the Mac App Shop, so you lot volition need to be running Snow Leopard to install it.

If it's Bone Ten x.viii Mountain Panthera leo that yous can nevertheless buy it for £19.99 here United states of america or here United kingdom.

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

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

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 accept access to the Mac App Store. Since for a number of years afterwards Snow Leopard arrived all versions of Mac OS X arrived via the Mac App Shop, those who never installed Snow Leopard had a problem: without Snowfall Leopard they couldn't update.

Until 2021 Apple still sold a boxed version of Mac OS 10 10.6 Snowfall Leopard here for £19.99 (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 - 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 purchase Snowfall Leopard. All the same, this isn't a big trouble considering those people who were previously locked out of updates can now download the Lion or Mount King of beasts update, as explained above.

Get Snow Leopard

How to go Bone X Leopard or earlier

If the old version of the OS you are afterward predates Snowfall Leopard and yous have a developer account you might exist able to become it from developer.apple.com/downloads. If yous search inside the OS Ten category you should run across downloads for all versions of Bone 10, at least from version 10.iii to x.6.

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

If you oasis't signed up as a Apple Developer, notice out what that entails here. It costs £79 ($99) a year to join the Apple Programmer Program and you have to sign a non disclosure agreement.

You could too endeavor looking on Amazon or eBay to encounter if anyone is selling old versions of the Mac operating arrangement. For case in that location'south a Full Install of OS X King of beasts bachelor for £8.l on Amazon here.

If it'due south Tiger you are after, then it will cost a little more than. In that location was a copy of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 simply it's currently unavailable.

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