There are a few reasons why y'all might want to download and install onetime versions of macOS or Mac Bone 10. Perhaps you are relying on software you lot have discovered doesn't piece of work properly in the latest version. Or perhaps you but don't like the new version of macOS that y'all have installed.

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

In this article nosotros volition cover how to get old versions of macOS including Large Sur, Catalina, Mojave, El Capitan, Sierra, Yosemite and even old versions of Mac Os X. We explain how to get hold of the relevant installer files so that you can install the software on your Mac.

We take a separate article that explains how to install erstwhile versions of macOS for when you get to that stage of the process.

If you are looking for a fashion to revert to the previous version of macOS, nosotros have a more specific article nearly downgrading from Monterey to Big Sur and other versions, although nosotros exercise cover the method here too. 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'south not possible.

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

Where tin I download former macOS?

Before y'all can install an older version of macOS or Mac Bone X you lot will need to get agree of the installer for the version of macOS you desire to install. Luckily information technology is possible to gets agree of these files - as long as you know where to go on the Mac App Store.

We accept the necessary links to the Mac App Store beneath. Nosotros volition show you lot a way to become the following macOS installers:

  • macOS Large Sur
  • macOS Catalina
  • macOS Mojave
  • macOS High Sierra
  • macOS Sierra
  • Bone X El Capitan
  • Os X Yosemite
  • OS 10 Mavericks
  • OS X Mount Panthera leo
  • OS X King of beasts

*Note that we have discovered that the links nosotros requite below will only work if you lot are surfing in Safari, so we suggest you switch to Apple tree's browser before moving on. You should too shut the Mac App Store app if you have that open up or the link may not work*

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

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

How to download macOS Big Sur

You tin can download the installer for Large Sur from the Mac App Store - as long as you know where to notice information technology - 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 folio. (Utilise Safari and make sure the Mac App Shop app is airtight first 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 up the Mac App Store on the Big Sur page.
  2. Click on Get.
  3. Software Update will open up with the words "Finding Update". Somewhen a bulletin "Are you certain y'all want to download macOS Big Sur" will appear. It might look like an update rather than the total version, but you lot'll see from the size of the download (effectually 6GB) that this is the complete installer for Big Sur.
  4. Once the installer has downloaded practice not click Install. If you install it the installer volition automatically exist deleted.
  5. You should exist able to find the Install macOS Big Sur app in your Applications binder, you'll need this for the next steps, which nosotros outline here: How to downgrade macOS, install an older version on your Mac.

How to download macOS Catalina

You lot can likewise download the installer for Catalina from the Mac App Shop - as long as you know the magic link.

  • Click on this link which volition open the Mac App Store on the Catalina folio. (Employ 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 Go.
  3. Software Update volition open with the words "Finding Update". Eventually a message "Are you sure you want to download macOS Catalina" will appear. It might look like an update rather than the full version, just you'll come across 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 information technology the installer will automatically be deleted.
  5. You should exist able to find the Install macOS Catalina app in your Applications binder, you'll need this for the adjacent 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 Shop. Note that every bit above, for this link to piece of work you need to be running Safari and you lot need to close the Mac App Store app first. If the Mac App Store app is open this redirect will not 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 also possible to download Loftier Sierra via this link. (Use Safari, close the Mac App Store app first).

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

How to download Sierra, El Capitan or Yosemite

Apple tree provides dmg files of these older macOS versions - you need to download them in Safari. A deejay prototype named InstallOS.dmg will download and once it does you need to locate the pkg installer inside the deejay paradigm.

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

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

Another issue is if the link takes y'all to the correct page in the Mac App Shop, just you meet an Update not found error message when you try to download it. This is an issue we are aware of that others take encountered, although we haven't. In that case we propose you endeavour to download the installer via that link using an older Mac.

Yous may as well see problems if you are trying to download an older version of macOS that your Mac cannot support. Usually when Apple 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 not support sure components in that Mac, for example.

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

Other means to get old macOS versions

If yous are running an older version of macOS - or someone you lot know is - you should be able to easily notice older versions of macOS and even Mac Bone X in the Mac App Shop. How piece of cake they are to find volition be 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 constitute via the Purchased tab (non that anyone has had to pay for a Mac OS X update for years).

Still, when Apple introduced Mojave the Mac App Store inverse, and these installers can no longer exist searched for or found in the purchased section of the shop. (Although we exercise have 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'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 you. We run through this method in the department below.

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

We've heard that information technology may be possible to download the installer via Terminal, however we were unable to get that method to work.

Yous may as well discover updates to old version of macOS on Apple tree's website here, withal these are only point updates, rather than the full version, so information technology won't be much aid if you are trying to get the total download.

The one matter you actually mustn't do is go to a torrent site and download a copy of the Os Ten you desire. Just because Apple gives abroad its software for complimentary, don't recollect it's fine to just pick up a copy. Pirated copies of Apple software could have been adjusted to allow hackers admission to the software and your Mac.

Download Mac OS X

If y'all have access to a Mac running Os X Yosemite or older it is possible to run into onetime versions of Mac Bone 10 in the Mac App Store. Yosemite, Mavericks and Mount Lion can all be seen here.

It's worth noting that you'll only see erstwhile versions of Mac Bone 10 that you've downloaded under Purchased - if you never downloaded it (or if it was never on the Mac App Store), that version volition non be in your Purchased section. Some other reason why the version of Mac OS X might be missing is if your machine shipped with that version installed. We'll expect at that scenario later.

Hither is how to get an older version of Mac Bone X from the Mac App Store (this just works if y'all've downloaded it in the past and it won't work if you accept 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 find the re-create of Os X or macOS you lot want.
  4. Click Install.

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

Y'all 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 explicate how it tin be installed on a Mac - including one currently running an earlier operating organisation here: How to install quondam Mac Bone X versions.

Can't find Mac Os 10 in Purchased?

If you know you lot take previously downloaded the version of macOS you are subsequently, only you aren't seeing information technology in the Purchased section, there are a few things to effort:

  1. Log out of the App Shop so log in over again.
  2. If it'due south a possibility that you downloaded information technology while logged in to a different Apple ID (perhaps a work-related one), log in using that ID.
  3. Alternatively, notice someone who has downloaded that version of the Mac operating organization and ask them to download the installation file for yous.

If yous never downloaded the version of Mac Bone 10 and then spring to stride 3 and find a friendly person who did. Inquire them to download the Mac Os X installer for you.

Luckily the copy of Os 10 isn't locked to their account then it will install on whatsoever Mac.

How to become Os 10 Lion, Mount Lion

Prior to June 2021 you lot could purchase Os X 10.7 King of beasts or Mountain King of beasts from Apple tree for £19.99 each - Apple tree would ship you a download lawmaking. Now Apple has stopped charging for the ageing operating system versions. Instead yous tin can download the operating systems direct from the company's website.

The operating systems can exist downloaded from the following links:

If it's Mac OS X 10.7 Lion that you are after, it'due south even so available for £19.99 here US or here UK. Apple will send you a download code to employ on the Mac App Store, so you volition demand to be running Snow Leopard to install it.

If it'southward Os Ten 10.8 Mountain King of beasts that yous can still buy information technology for £19.99 here U.s. or here UK.

We have more information near getting the free installers for Bone X King of beasts and Mountain King of beasts from Apple in Apple offers free downloads of Os X Lion and Mount Lion.

Whether your Mac will really run these operating systems is another question we accost hither: Which versions of macOS can my Mac run? Note that simply Macs that predate 2012 will run King of beasts.

How to get OS X Snowfall Leopard

If your Mac has a version of macOS installed that is older than Snowfall Leopard you won't have admission to the Mac App Shop. Since for a number of years after 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 however sold a boxed version of Mac Os X 10.6 Snow Leopard here for £19.99 (at its launch in 2009 information technology cost £25). If y'all purchased Snowfall Leopard this style yous were sent a concrete box containing an optical disc - so you will need a CD/DVD bulldoze to install it (which you will probably have if the Mac is that old).

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

Get Snow Leopard

How to become Bone Ten Leopard or earlier

If the former version of the Os you are afterward predates Snow Leopard and yous have a programmer account you might be able to go it from developer.apple tree.com/downloads. If y'all search within the Bone X category yous should see downloads for all versions of OS X, at least from version x.3 to ten.half-dozen.

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

If you oasis't signed upwardly as a Apple tree Programmer, discover out what that entails hither. It costs £79 ($99) a year to bring together the Apple Programmer Program and yous have to sign a not disclosure agreement.

You could as well try looking on Amazon or eBay to see if anyone is selling former versions of the Mac operating arrangement. For example there's a Total Install of Os 10 King of beasts available for £8.50 on Amazon here.

If it's Tiger you are afterwards, and so it will cost a piffling more than. There was a copy of Tiger on Amazon for £89.99 merely it's currently unavailable.

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