So, yous've decided to download an older version of Mac Os X. There are many reasons that could point you to this radical decision. To begin with, some of your apps may not be working properly (or simply crash) on newer operating systems. Besides, y'all may accept noticed your Mac'south performance went down correct subsequently the final update. Finally, if you desire to run a parallel copy of Mac Os X on a virtual auto, y'all too will need a working installation file of an older Mac OS X. Further downward we'll explicate where to get one and what problems you may confront down the road.

A listing of all Mac OS X versions

We'll exist repeatedly referring to these Apple OS versions below, so it's proficient to know the basic macOS timeline.

Cheetah 10.0 Puma 10.one Jaguar 10.2
Panther 10.iii Tiger 10.4 Leopard 10.5
Snow Leopard ten.vi Lion 10.7 Mountain Panthera leo 10.8
Mavericks 10.ix Yosemite 10.10 El Capitan 10.11
Sierra 10.12 High Sierra x.13 Mojave x.fourteen
Catalina ten.15

Stride 1. Prepare your Mac for installation

Given your Mac isn't new and is filled with data, you will probably need plenty free space on your Mac. This includes non merely infinite for the OS itself merely also space for other applications and your user data. One more statement is that the gratuitous space on your disk translates into virtual retentiveness so your apps accept "fuel" to operate on. The chart below tells you how much free space is needed.

Note, that it is recommended that you lot install Bone on a clean drive. Next, yous will demand plenty disk infinite available, for example, to create Recovery Partition. Here are some ideas to free up space on your drive:

  • Uninstall big unused apps
  • Empty Trash Bin and Downloads
  • Locate the biggest files on your computer:

Go to Finder > All My Files > Arrange by size

Then you lot can move your space hoggers onto an external drive or a cloud storage.

If you lot aren't comfy with cleaning the Mac manually, there are some overnice automatic "room cleaners". Our favorite isCleanMyMac equally it's most simple to use of all. It deletes system junk, old broken apps, and the rest of subconscious junk on your drive.

CleanMyMac X - Smart Scan complete

Download CleanMyMacfor OS ten.iv - 10.8 (free version)

Download CleanMyMac for OS ten.9 (complimentary version)

Download CleanMyMacfor OS 10.ten - x.14 (free version)


Step 2. Become a copy of Mac OS Ten download

Normally, it is assumed that updating OS is a one-way road. That's why going back to a past Apple OS version is problematic. The main claiming is to download the OS installation file itself, because your Mac may already exist running a newer version. If you lot succeed in downloading the OS installation, your adjacent pace is to create a bootable USB or DVD and then reinstall the Bone on your computer.

How to download older Mac OS Ten versions via the App Store

Mac operating system download


If y'all once had purchased an former version of Mac Bone X from the App Store, open it and go to the Purchased tab. There yous'll notice all the installers you can download. However, it doesn't always work that way. The purchased department lists only those operating systems that you lot had downloaded in the past. But here is the path to check it:

  1. Click the App Store icon.
  2. Click Purchases in the top bill of fare.
  3. Curlicue down to find the preferred OS 10 version.
  4. Click Download.

This method allows you to download Mavericks and Yosemite by logging with your Apple ID — only if you lot previously downloaded them from the Mac App Store.


Without App Shop: Download Mac OS version as Apple Programmer

If you are signed with an Apple Developer account, you can get admission to products that are no longer listed on the App Shop. If you desperately need a lower OS X version build, consider creating a new Developer account amid other options. The membership cost is $99/year and provides a bunch of perks unavailable to ordinary users.

Nevertheless, keep in mind that if you visit programmer.apple.com/downloads, you tin only find 10.3-10.6 Os X operating systems at that place. Newer versions are non available because starting Mac Bone 10 Snow Leopard 10.seven, the App Store has become the just source of updating Apple tree OS versions.

Buy an older version of Mac operating system

Apple OS Versions

Yous can purchase a boxed or electronic mail version of past Mac OS 10 directly from Apple. Both volition price y'all around $xx. For the reason of beingness rather antiquated, Snow Leopard and before Apple tree versions can only be installed from DVD.

Buy a boxed edition of Snow Leopard x.vi
Go an email copy of Lion 10.7
Get an e-mail copy of Mount Lion 10.viii

The e-mail edition comes with a special download code you can use for the Mac App Store. Note, that to install the King of beasts or Mountain Lion, your Mac needs to exist running Snowfall Leopard so you can install the newer Bone on top of information technology.

How to go macOS El Capitan download

If you are wondering if you lot tin run El Capitan on an older Mac, rejoice as it's possible too. Only earlier your Mac can run El Capitan information technology has to exist updated to Os 10 10.6.eight. So, here are chief steps you should have:

1. Install Snowfall Leopard from install DVD.
2. Update to 10.6.eight using Software Update.
three. Download El Capitan here.


"I can't download an old version of Mac OS X"

If you have a newer Mac, in that location is no physical option to install Mac OS versions older than your current Mac model. For instance, if your MacBook was released in 2014, don't expect information technology to run any OS released prior of that fourth dimension, because older Apple Bone versions simply exercise not include hardware drivers for your Mac.

Mac os x download

Only as it often happens, workarounds are possible. There is notwithstanding a chance to download the installation file if you have an access to a Mac (or virtual machine) running that operating arrangement. For example, to get an installer for Lion, you may ask a friend who has Panthera leo-operated Mac or, once over again, gear up a virtual machine running Lion. Then you volition need to prepare an external drive to download the installation file using Bone Ten Utilities.

Later on you've completed the download, the installer should launch automatically, but yous can click Cancel and copy the file you demand. Beneath is the detailed education how to practise it.


Step 3. Install older Os X onto an external drive

The following method allows you to download Mac OS X King of beasts, Mountain Lion, and Mavericks.

  1. Start your Mac holding downwards Command + R.
  2. Prepare a make clean external bulldoze (at to the lowest degree 10 GB of storage).
  3. Within OS X Utilities, choose Reinstall OS Ten.
  4. Select external bulldoze as a source.
  5. Enter your Apple ID.
How to download old Mac OS X versions

Now the Os should first downloading automatically onto the external drive. After the download is complete, your Mac volition prompt you to practise a restart, but at this point, you should completely shut it down. Now that the installation file is "captured" onto your external drive, you tin reinstall the Os, this fourth dimension running the file on your Mac.

  1. Boot your Mac from your standard drive.
  2. Connect the external bulldoze.
  3. Go to external drive > Os X Install Data.

Locate InstallESD.dmg disk epitome file — this is the file you lot need to reinstall Panthera leo OS X. The aforementioned steps are valid for Mountain Panthera leo and Mavericks.


How to downgrade a Mac running later macOS versions

If your Mac runs macOS Sierra 10.12 or macOS High Sierra 10.13, it is possible to revert it to the previous system if you lot are not satisfied with the feel. Yous can do information technology either with Time Machine or past creating a bootable USB or external drive.

Instruction todowngrade from macOS Sierra

Instruction todowngrade from macOS High Sierra

Teaching todowngrade from macOS Mojave

Educational activity to downgrade from macOS Catalina

Earlier you do it, the best advice is to back your Mac up so your most important files stay intact. In addition to that, it makes sense to clean upwardly your Mac from old organisation junk files and awarding leftovers. The easiest mode to exercise it is to run CleanMyMac Ten on your motorcar (download it for free here).

Visit your local Apple Shop to download older OS X version

If none of the options to become older OS 10 worked, pay a visit to nearest local Apple Shop. They should have image installations going back to OS Leopard and earlier. You lot can also ask their assistance to create a bootable USB bulldoze with the installation file. So hither you are. We promise this commodity has helped you to download an one-time version of Mac Bone X. Beneath are a few more links you may discover interesting.